So you want to start a HUB, now what?

By Kelly Farquharson, Nadine Gaab, and Lori Skibbe

Five simple steps to starting a POWER HUB

POWER is excited to have the opportunity to offer HUBs.  What are POWER HUBs you ask?  These are topic-specific networks of researchers who plan to further the mission of POWER through regular meetings and support of their members. Any member of POWER can start a HUB.  We have several HUBS established already, but have also received some questions asking for more detailed guidance about starting a HUB.  Below, we present five simple steps to starting a POWER HUB. 

1. Determine your topic area.  What will be the uniting topic of your HUB? It can be specific to a research topic (e.g., dyslexia), specific to a research-related task (e.g., grant-writing), location-based (e.g., Houston), position-based (e.g., post-docs), social in nature (e.g., book clubs), or another classification that isn’t listed here.  
2. Decide on your format. POWER HUBs can take place in any format, including both on-line and in person settings. Hubs can happen in chat rooms, coffee shops, parks, and restaurants. We acknowledge in a COVID era that most HUBs will be meeting virtually for a while, but the format can be flexible and evolve over time as the group’s needs change.
3. Invite speakers. POWER HUBs should feel comfortable hosting events with speakers related to a collective topic of interest. Speakers can be POWER members [hint, we’ll be asking about your topics of expertise as well as topics you’d like to hear about], but don’t have to be. Speakers can be individuals available through your local community (e.g., women’s group, research librarian, etc). These events can also include HUB “cross-overs” in which, for instance, the post-doc HUB and the Boston HUB get together to host an event about pursuing tenure track jobs in the Boston area. Note that HUBs must meet at least twice per year and all meetings must adhere to the POWER code of conduct. 
4. Keep track.  Although there are no specific rules for what a HUB coordinator should keep track of, we have a few ideas of details that may be useful to track.  How do you advertise for your HUB? Recruitment can happen in person, through email, using our POWER listserv, or via social media. Remember that we hope to include scholars from a variety of places, including community colleges, 2-year and 4-year institutions, research institutes, and non-profit organizations. How many people attend each event and what might explain differences?  There may be events or meetings that are particularly well-attended vs. some that are maybe less so. What was the difference? This brainstorming may also be useful for future coordinators. 
5. Keep in touch. Know that at any point in time, you can reach out to the chair of the POWER membership committee, or the POWER President for guidance, ideas, and problem-solving.  We specifically look forward to your feedback on how POWER can better support you

Ready to start a HUB?  Fill out the form at the end of this page and then search our database to find HUB members!  Have fun!