Info for students in our group

Here we gather together some information about general expectations and other aspects of working in the Hughes research group, including links to resources that students may find useful. This version benefits from feedback from our friend Emanuele Berti, who developed his own guidelines for students based in part on an earlier version of this page.

Values

We begin with the MIT Physics Community Values. We highlight here the the core principle, and each of the four major pillars of this statement:

• Executive summary: Members of our community should treat each other with respect and decency at all times. In turn, we should not alienate, diminish or insult each other, either in word or deed.

• Well-being: We support each other at all times and remember that we are not alone.

• Respect: We value the multitude of ways to be a physicist and the many paths through our field and Department.

• Inclusion: We strive to speak and act in ways that support and include all members of our community.

• Collaboration: Physics is a social endeavor and we proudly collaborate with others to advance the field.

• Mentorship: All physicists are here because of the mentorship we have received and continue to receive, and the mentorship we offer to others.

Communication

Group members are expected to remain in communication as often as possible. Please note that PI Hughes tends to use email for regular communication; he developed a severe allergy to Slack during a period of heavy admin duties through the covid pandemic (Slack meant yet another demand on way too little time). This Slack-aversion may eventually recede; even so, expect that email will remain a vitally important channel for keeping in touch.

Members should participate in our regular group meetings (typically once every week or two during the academic term, with occasional gaps due to academic overload or travel). PI Hughes will meet with students outside of regular group meetings to discuss detailed technical issues, or while working on papers. Zoom may be used when in-person meetings are not possible (due to, e.g., travel, weather, nearly-civilization-ending diseases).

Sometimes an absence is inevitable. If circumstances are going to keep you out of contact for extended periods, please let Hughes know that your situation is keeping you away from the group for a little while. This includes vacations; in addition to the need for time off shared by all humans, students are entitled to certain amounts of vacation time (check the union regulations for details). Please just let all concerned know so we don’t worry if you are out of contact.

Goal setting and expectations

Each group member will formulate goals for what they hope to achieve both short-term (e.g., in a semester or academic year) and long-term (i.e., focusing on career goals). We expect that the goalposts will move with time; and, we imagine that students will have a variety of different career goals. Our goal is for you to finish at MIT ready to move on to something that is satisfying for you.

We generally try to support students over an academic year with a mixture of TA and RA funds; when we are approaching the end of a grant cycle, a bit of extra TA duties might be necessary. Priority is given to making sure students have summer support, and that late-stage students (those who intend to defend their theses soon) have a “clear runway” for wrapping up their final projects.

Once per year, group members will meet with Hughes at length to assess overall progress, to assess career goals, and to identify any concerns. We may find it useful to adapt the MIT form used for postdoc annual reviews, which can be downloaded here. This form offers an opportunity for both mentor and mentee to offer feedback on this process.

Talks and travel

Especially as students become productive researchers, it is of highest priority that their accomplishments be recognized. We seek out opportunities for students to travel and present their work; if travel is not an option, remote presentation may be an acceptable substitute. When funds allow, we try to provide opportunities for group members who are not speaking to attend meetings and get to know our research community.

Students should join the American Physical Society (APS), particularly the Division of Gravitational Physics (DGRAV); the Division of Astrophysics (DAP) is also recommended. APS membership allows you to connect to colleagues in the field, gets you discounts on some important annual meetings, and can be source of funding for travel to certain meetings (particularly the April APS Meeting, which our group typically attends). Students are encouraged to seek other sources of supplementary funding as well, such as internal MIT money to defray travel costs.

Resources

The following resources are available to students who may find themselves in need:

• Graduate advocate Claude Canizares, crc@mit.edu, 37-673. Claude will act on your behalf if you feel you need someone on your side in some issue of conflict resolution.

• Office of Graduate Education. The OGE Can help you navigate many of the struggles around life as a graduate student.

• Student Support Services. Plays a role similar to OGE for undergraduates. Personal note from Hughes: I worked closely with many members of S3 during my years serving and chairing the Committee on Academic Performance; these folks are wonderful.

• MIT Medical, including mental health services. PI Hughes is a big believer (and occasional beneficiary) of mental health services. Don’t be shy about using them.

• Office of Minority Education, advocates for students who come to MIT from communities who are underrepresented here and fosters community. Another group with whom Hughes worked during his years on the Committee on Academic Performance; they are wonderful too.

• Graduate Womxn in Physcs, an excellent resource and community for “transgender women, cisgender women, non-binary people, and gender diverse physics graduate students at MIT.”

• physREFS, the physics “Resources for Easing Friction and Stress.” A form of peer counseling specific to physics graduate students.

• Another list of graduate student resources, maintained by the physics department’s Academic Programs Office.

• Minuteman Commuter Bikeway. Everyone needs their favorite way to get away from the keyboard and blow off steam. Mine is biking, at least when weather permits. Make sure you find your own way of getting out and about!