Haoran Li is a postdoctoral associate at MIT who recently concluded his CEE Communication Fellowship. In this post, Haoran reflects on the “unique and rewarding dynamic” of being a Comm Fellow in CEE.
Why did you decide to become a Comm Fellow?
I was interested in becoming a Comm Fellow, because I value clear and effective communication in engineering research. I’ve benefited significantly from strong mentorship in writing and presenting my own work, and I saw the fellowship as an opportunity to support peers in developing those same skills.
What does being a Comm Fellow involve?
Being a Comm Fellow involves meeting with peers to provide feedback on presentations, CVs, SOPs, papers, proposals, and other professional communication materials. I have also attended eight professional trainings for Comm Fellows, which cover a variety of scientific communication topics, and found them very helpful in my efforts to communicate with and mentor students and colleagues. Being a Comm Fellow also includes contributing to workshops and events, and collaborating with the Comm Lab team to support the department’s communication goals.
What is it like interacting with your peers as a Comm Fellow?
It’s a unique and rewarding dynamic. As a Fellow, I am both a peer and a coach. It creates an environment that feels collaborative rather than evaluative, such as when I review a CV, proposal, or paper with a client, which often leads to productive and open conversations about writing and presenting research.
What was a particularly meaningful experience you’ve had as a Comm Fellow?
I found it especially meaningful when working with students to improve their CVs. Because I am seeking faculty jobs, I could relate to the client’s situation, help them think through what they are looking for, and explore what their potential employer might be looking for in their application materials. And because I am relatively senior as a postdoc, I was very happy to share instructive suggestions for their CV or resumes. Seeing their confidence grow through revision and practice was very rewarding.
In what ways has being a Comm Fellow helped you learn and grow?
The fellowship strengthened my ability to give concise, actionable feedback, and to quickly identify structural or clarity issues in technical writing. It also reinforced how central communication is to research impact—strong ideas benefit greatly from strong presentation.
What was it like being a Comm Fellow while also applying to faculty positions?
The Comm Fellow training and coaching experience significantly strengthened my faculty applications. It helped me clarify my research narrative, sharpen my framing for different audiences, and, most importantly, build confidence in presenting my trajectory and vision. That growth has directly shaped how I approach interviews and job talks. As a future faculty member, these experiences will enable me to better help my own students improve their communication and succeed in their research.
What advice would you give to future Comm Fellows?
I would encourage future Fellows to approach each session with curiosity and empathy. Communication coaching is not just about fixing sentences; it’s about understanding how someone is thinking about their work and helping them present it clearly and confidently.
Overall, I’m grateful for the experience and for the opportunity to contribute to the CEE community.