We require program coordinators to submit a summary report, ideally within 2 months of your program's conclusion. The report describes the program's most important scientific accomplishments. KITP scientific staff, our advisory board, and grant review panels will read it. Gear it toward scientists who are not specialists in your field.
The report should include:
- A 250-300 word abstract: a high-level discussion summarizing key progress the program made on its major goals. How do you think the program will impact the field? These might include both specific scientific insights and community-building achievements.
- The program's original goals and a description of progress the program made on each.
- A list of projects/collaborations and a list of manuscripts completed or in progress. Our staff can provide a list of manuscripts we're aware of, but you may know of some we don't.
- A review of your process for recruiting applicants. Describe your efforts to spread the word about the program and indicate openness to everyone in the relevant scientific communities, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, or career stage.
- If your program had an associated conference, include a brief report on that activity; in particular the conference's scientific impact on the program and the field.
- Suggestions that could improve future programs or assist future coordinators. Briefly describe any activities, tools, or organizational practices that you think were particularly successful (or unsuccessful) at creating an environment that encouraged creativity and collaboration among all participants.
KITP will append a list of participants and their periods of residence, demographic data, and a list of the program's talks.
Participant activity reports are your primary tool for gathering the data you need for the report. Each participant should submit one at https://www.kitp.ucsb.edu/activity-report, but you will need to remind them! Submitted activity reports appear weekly on your coordinators' data site; the link is at the bottom of the page. Approximately every other week, the Director's Assistant emails participants a request to submit the report, but it's more powerful if *you* make the request periodically.
Some example summary reports are below. There is no length requirement--the "right" length will vary depending on factors like your program's duration.
- Dark Matter Theory, Simulation, and Analysis in the Era of Large Surveys
- Many-body Quantum Optics
- Interactions and Co-evolution between Viruses and Immune Systems (no conference)
- Towards a Physical Understanding of Tidal Disruption Events
Thank you for your efforts. The report is crucial for evaluating our programs, for our continued funding, and for improving our operations for future programs!