The New NSF CAMP Feedback Method for Research Mentorship

The National Science Foundation's Cultural Anthropology Methods Program (CAMP) aims to cultivate students' ability to craft competitive research proposals. Over three years of CAMP, we tested and iterated different feedback models: the Socratic method, the Value Proposition approach, and the Critical Response Process (CRP). We ultimately designed the NSF CAMP Feedback Method that integrates successful elements from these three models for the presentation of research proposals, feedback mechanisms, and refinement. The proposed method consists of five steps: (1) Proposal Presentation Following a Revised Value Proposition Approach, (2) Statements of Meaning, (3) Presenter as Questioner, (4) Permissioned Opinions, and (5) Reframing. Feedback from faculty and students regarding the NSF CAMP Feedback Method was positive, highlighting its effectiveness in guiding proposal development and fostering a supportive environment. However, challenges were noted, including the reluctance of students to refuse feedback (step 4) due to power imbalances and the potential unpreparedness for receiving and responding to critical questioning encountered in typical academic settings outside the CAMP environment. Despite these challenges, the method offers a valuable framework for enhancing proposal development processes in academic settings, with opportunities for adaptation to suit diverse student needs.