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| Faculty Newsletter | October 2023 |
Dear faculty,
This year alone, Northwestern has had nearly 150 citations in The New York Times, 100 in The Washington Post, 85 in the Associated Press, 80 on NPR, 70 in Forbes, 65 on CNN and so many others.
There is a reason why Northwestern faculty experts are in such high demand among the media: Your research and passion make the world better. News outlets want to share your discoveries and hear your insights about the issues of the day. In turn, when our faculty’s expertise is brought to bear, Northwestern's reputation is enhanced.
To equip our scholars to share complex research with lay audiences, the Office of the Provost has partnered with the Office of Global Marketing and Communications (OGMC) to offer a series of in-person and virtual workshops throughout the academic year. The series is called “Communicating Your Research.” You’ll find courses on how to present and write about research in ways that resonate with peers and the public; how to work with journalists, including on-camera training and op-ed writing; how and when to reach out to OGMC ahead of new research publications or events; and how to build a social media presence.
The first session, focused on op-ed writing, will feature a Zoom presentation by Torie Bosch, op-ed editor at STAT News (produced by Boston Globe Media). She will explain how to write op-eds that will intrigue news editors and audiences alike. Register online.
Faculty who already have attended media training through OGMC have found it helpful. We encourage you to explore these new and expanded offerings. Your research matters, and Northwestern wants to help you spread the word.
Sincerely, Kathleen Hagerty |
News and notes |
Accept the Mission: Accessible Challenge to support inclusive teaching and learning Entering its second year, the Canvas Accessibility Project — a partnership between Northwestern IT, AccessibleNU, and the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance — aims to bring digital learning materials and Canvas course sites into compliance with Northwestern’s digital accessibility policy. The Mission: Accessible Challenge offers a structured and supported opportunity to address seven high-impact areas in Canvas course sites using the new Pope Tech accessibility evaluation and remediation tool. To date, the partnership has engaged with more than 70 instructors to ensure their courses meet accessibility standards. Faculty are encouraged to join the mission and advance this effort to create more inclusive course sites that improve the learning experience of all Northwestern students.
Northwestern Buffett call for proposals Is there a global problem you may be interested in addressing through collaborative, interdisciplinary research? Propose a topic for a Northwestern Buffett Idea Dialogue, a unique opportunity to explore nascent ideas through an informal discussion with faculty outside your discipline who are working on or interested in similar questions. Northwestern Buffett will coordinate and provide facilitation support, including working with you to generate a list of invitees. Proposals will be accepted through Oct. 31. Contact Northwestern Buffett's Director for Research, Harrington Weihl, with any questions and take a look at examples of past idea dialogues and the interdisciplinary research projects that have stemmed from them.
Updates from the Office of Fellowships The Office of Fellowships has created a Canvas course offering interactive tools and downloadable documents to help faculty and students navigate the world of fellowships. The only requirement to access this course is a NetID and password. The course has an instructor section with information on the ways the Office of Fellowships can support faculty's work with students, including resources for staying afloat in the deluge of Fall Quarter reference requests. Faculty also can access these resources through the Canvas Commons, which facilitates incorporating aspects of the course into classes and advising sessions. The Office of Fellowships also has updated its website to include a new page that lists upcoming info sessions and one that includes videos of past info sessions.
Join in the celebration for I'm First Week In preparation for National First-Generation Day, Student Enrichment Services (SES) and the Office of FGLI Initiatives invite faculty who identify as first generation college students to participate in I’m First Week. On Nov. 2, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., stop by SES at Foster Walker House 6,1927 Orrington Avenue, to pick up a snack and some SWAG (shirts, bottles, bags, hats) so you can show your First-Gen pride on National First-Generation Day, which is on Nov. 8. RSVP here.
Searle 2023-24 fellows announced The Searle Fellows Program, which this year celebrates 25 years, welcomed 20 early-career faculty and their mentors into the 2023-24 cohort. The reimagined year-long professional development program maintains the signature character of the program (with its focus on interdisciplinary conversation, individual inquiry and mentoring about learning and teaching) while increasing emphasis on critical reflection and equity-minded approaches. Inaugural Distinguished Faculty Mentor Michael Fagen will enhance support for the faculty mentors who generously give their time and expertise.
In case you missed it
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Faculty support and resources |
Teaching During Turbulent Times When faced with crises, how can educators engage with their students compassionately and appropriately, while also considering their own well-being? The Searle Center for Advancing Learning and Teaching has augmented a guide called Teaching During Turbulent Times, which provides 10 strategies for instructors to consider using in the moment to demonstrate support, fortify student resilience and foster feelings of belonging.
To complement the guide, the Searle Center is also offering small group conversation (capped at 15) called "Expanding the Conversation: Teaching During Turbulent Times." These sessions will focus on implementing the strategies in the guide and present an opportunity to ask questions, discuss how to center our own and our students’ well-being in an instructional context, and share ideas that expand our range of pedagogical approaches. Sessions will be held on the following days:
Get to know your students with new Sparkshop Series The Searle Center's 2023–24 Sparkshop Series: Getting to Know Our Students focuses on three rising demographics of Northwestern students: first-generation college students (Fall Quarter), gender-expansive students (Winter Quarter) and neurodiverse students (Spring Quarter). Sparkshops are 30-minute presentations meant to spark curiosity around topics relevant to contemporary teaching contexts. Each Sparkshop introduces instructors to evidence-driven teaching and learning techniques that have been empirically demonstrated to enhance learning for all students, with particularly positive effects for students who have been traditionally underrepresented in higher education. The Fall Quarter Sparkshop, "Supporting First-Generation College Student Success," is Nov. 8. Register online.
Finding Synergy Between Your Teaching and Research New and early career faculty are invited to join the Office of the Provost and the Searle Center for Advancing Learning and Teaching on Nov. 15 for "Finding Synergy Between Your Teaching and Research." Throughout this interactive session, which is part of the New and Early Career Faculty Institute, participants will draw upon principles of inclusive teaching to cultivate effective research mentoring practices and create inclusive and productive research environments. Register online by Nov. 8.
Mentoring Training Program for STEM faculty The Office of the Provost, The Graduate School and the Center for Leadership are offering the Faculty Mentoring Training Program. The program, which is open to all STEM faculty, includes small group work, case studies, short lecture-style learning, and guidance to help faculty be intentional and confident in their mentoring abilities. The National Institutes of Health and Northwestern strongly suggest that faculty appointed to T32 and other training grants participate in faculty mentor training, but even STEM faculty not appointed to training grants are welcome to participate. The program is offered in four modules and the first will take place Nov. 29. View subsequent dates and register online.
Reimagining Assessment Practicum The Reimagining Assessment Practicum (RAP) is a three-week online program designed for instructors of all levels, background, and teaching contexts to learn more about and reflect on assessment and grading practices, with an emphasis on equitable approaches and alternative methods. This practicum will draw on expertise and experience from faculty and staff around the University.
Generative AI in the Classroom Generative artificial intelligence (GAI) tools such as ChatGPT can provide instructors new ways to engage students in their learning and prepare them for life after graduation. To acquaint faculty with GAI and offer suggestions for its use, the Office of the Provost and AI@NU have created a website that is easy to navigate based on background knowledge and teaching goals.
New caregiver support benefit A caregiver support benefit from Cariloop that was piloted last year is now available to benefits-eligible faculty and staff, who can receive personalized, concierge-style resources and support for all their caregiving needs via licensed and certified care coaches. Activate your membership by registering with your Northwestern email address.
Take care of yourself Northwestern's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider, SupportLinc, provides faculty, staff and household members 24/7/365 free and confidential access to a variety of mental health and well-being services and resources, including short-term counseling to help address everyday life challenges in a confidential, professional and supportive manner. In addition to SupportLinc, the Office of the Provost offers the Faculty Wellness Program. |
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