When can we meet?
I am free intermittently, and my schedule is sometimes quite complicated. You can sign up for a time on this page: just scroll in the purple box that says “Office hours with Eleanor Sayre”. You do not need to email me first: this calendar is always up-to-date, and it will notify me when you’ve signed up. If you need something further in the future – or if none of the close-by times work for you – you should email me.
I emailed you at KSU, and got your autoresponder. What’s up?
I am on leave from KSU, working as a program officer with the NSF. During this time, I am not teaching classes for KSU, accepting new students, sitting on KSU committees, or participating in Manhattan events.
Separately, KSU is experiencing a substantial and ongoing IT meltdown which has dramatically limited my ability and willingness to use their systems. I only see KSU email (and KSU physics email) on my phone, and that access could be removed (again) at any time and without any warning.
What can I do next?
You can hope that I see your email. You can increase your chances of an emailed response if your query is brief and requires an uncomplicated answer on my part; if it’s urgent or complicated, you’ll have better luck with a zoom meeting.
Or, you can try one of these other methods. Probably faster, probably more helpful.
| Topic | Contact |
|---|---|
| Can I be your student? | No, my research lab is full. See below for more details. |
| Question about current or former student | We can zoom, or I’ll email you back eventually. Urgent queries: Kim Coy |
| PhysPort | Kim Coy. She can address your concerns or redirect your message appropriately. |
| PEER | Matthew Sayre. He can address your concerns or redirect your message appropriately. |
| NSF questions | Email me at the NSF. For NSF questions only! Otherwise, please do not. |
| Other professional purposes | Email my personal address. |
| Personal things | Email my personal address or text me if you already have my number. |
Can I visit or join your group? Can we start a collaboration?
Maybe! I am always delighted to play “yes, and” about research designs and professional development opportunities.
However, my research lab is full. I am not seeking new students. Some of my research projects are actively seeking students (grad and undergrad) via Scott Franklin at RIT. If you’re intent on attending Kansas State University, check with JT Laverty.
If you’re already a student somewhere else, faculty on sabbatical, or independent researcher, KSUPER is generally delighted to host you for a research exchange trip. Most visitors for this purpose visit for a semester or academic year, though longer or shorter trips are possible. Alas, we cannot normally fund your stay, though it is often possible for me or another faculty member to provide a letter of invitation in support of your visit.
If you want to work with us on one of our existing projects, cool! Let’s chat. If you have a proposal for a new project for us to do together, I’m also down for chatting about that. Be aware that I don’t have a lot of time to devote to new projects right now. You can email me about ideas, or we can meet to chat (see calendar above). Either is ok with me.
If you’re looking to get started or broaden your experience in STEM education research, you might also be interested in PEER field schools for emerging researchers.
So, the NSF? How is that going?
Pretty awesome, actually. I love the work that I do, the people I work with are friendly and supportive, and I feel like I’m doing good in the world. I split my time between working on site in Alexandria , Virginia, and working from Rochester, New York. This is a temporary “rotator” position, not a permanent move.
I work on five programs at NSF:
- Improving undergraduate STEM education, IUSE
- Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Program, S-STEM
- Future of Semiconductors, FuSE
- Building Capacity for STEM Education Research, BCSER
- Mid-Career Advancement, MCA
As a program officer, I am delighted to chat with PIs (new or prospective) about their projects, convince people to be reviewers for NSF programs, or do outreach for NSF programs. It’s ok to email me at the NSF if you have NSF questions or you want to chat about NSF business. Otherwise, please do not.
Are you available to visit me and give a colloquium or workshop?
Yes, broadly speaking, I would love to visit you and give a colloquium or workshop. You should check out some of the possibilities for both. I can also recommend some of my fabulous collaborators for talks and workshops.
Generally I’m more available for virtual visits than in-person ones. Much as I love in-person meetings, scheduling is hard and complicated. You should expect at least a 3-month lead time for physical travel, but sometimes there’s a weird hole in my schedule or your location is near another place I’m going. Email me and we can work out dates!
If you’re looking to get started or broaden your experience in STEM education research, you might also be interested in PEER field schools for emerging researchers.
Will you review a paper for my journal?
Probably not. Check here for more details.
Are you available to read my work and give me feedback?
Maybe. I am always willing to help my students with their papers, even long after they’ve graduated or for papers on which I’m not an author. For postdocs and other collaborators, I’m happy to help as I can. Everyone else should send me a 1-2 page summary first to see if I’ve got enough time and expertise to help in a meaningful way.
Much as I love working with new and emerging researchers, and much as I treasure collaborations, my research life is pretty full and I don’t have a lot of capacity to take on new projects.
Will you make art for me? sell art to me?
I am delighted that you like my art. Sometimes I take commissions, but I don’t regularly sell my work. There’s no etsy store and I don’t do markets. Selling sounds like paperwork, and I don’t want to do paperwork in my leisure time. More details here.