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Northwestern Office of the Provost

Faculty Newsletter | January 2024

Dear faculty,

 

I hope your 2024 is off to a good start. As you plan for the remainder of the academic year, I would like to draw your attention to the upcoming professional development opportunities offered by the Office of the Provost:

  • New and Early Career Faculty Institute: New and early career faculty are invited to attend “Navigating Tenure,” a faculty panel discussion that I will be moderating tomorrow (Jan. 17) at noon. Faculty members representing a variety of disciplines and schools will discuss general tips for navigating the tenure process. There is still time to register online. Coming up on Feb. 14: “Managing Up, Down and Across.” 
  • Guest Speaker Events: Join us on Feb. 29 for two different events with award-winning author and Northwestern alum James M. Lang, PhD. In his talk “Writing Like a Teacher,” Lang will share how to draw upon our wisdom as teachers to write for a wider and more public audience. Later the same day, Lang will deliver an interactive lecture about the use of AI in designing university courses.
  • Faculty Leaders Series: This series is designed specifically for department chairs, division chiefs and faculty directors. Upcoming sessions include “Chair’s Role in Developing, Promoting and Retaining Faculty” (Feb. 21) and “Faculty Service” (March 4). View more information and register online.

Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Read on below to see additional opportunities provided by Searle Center for Advancing Learning and Teaching, The Graduate School, and the Center for Leadership. And, as always, check the Office of the Provost website for upcoming events.

 

Sincerely,

 

Sumit Dhar
Associate Provost for Faculty

News and notes

Meet Northwestern’s new deans

On Jan. 31 from noon to 1 p.m., Provost Kathleen Hagerty will host a webinar with Northwestern’s three new deans: Bryan McKinley Jones Brayboy, Dean of the School of Education and Social Policy; Jonathan Bailey Holland, Dean of the Bienen School of Music; and Chris Schuh, Dean of the McCormick School of Engineering. This will be a great opportunity to get to know the inspiring academic leaders who will be making their mark on the University for years to come. You can register online or watch a recording of the session, which will be posted on the Office of the Provost news site. If you have specific questions for the deans, please submit them when you register.

 

Office of the Provost funding opportunities

The Office of the Provost is currently accepting applications for two grant programs: the Provost’s Grants for Research in Humanities, Social Sciences and the Arts (up to $5,000) and the Career Development and Writing Support Grants (up to $4,000). The deadline to apply is Jan. 19. Pease visit our Funding Opportunities website for additional information.


Call for TEACHx 2024 Proposals

Proposals for TEACHx, Northwestern’s annual celebration of teaching and learning with technology, are now being accepted. The 2024 conference will return to the Norris University Center May 15-16 and will explore a wide range of topics, including AI use cases and impacts, grading and assessment strategies for today’s students, and Universal Design for Learning. The deadline to submit a proposal is Feb. 18 at midnight. Learn more on the TEACHx website.

 

News from the Office of Human Resources

A new year might mean your benefit deductions have changed due to your Open Enrollment choices or annual premium increases. Additionally, 403(b) Retirement Plan limits have increased, so you may need to update your deferrals. It is important that you periodically review your paycheck to ensure you have the proper deductions. 

 

 

In case you missed it

Faculty support and resources

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 an easy-to-navigate website that includes guidance on how to clearly communicate expectations to students. The website also has videos sharing real-world examples of how Northwestern faculty are navigating the pedagogical challenges and opportunities.

 

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 four-module 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, but even STEM faculty not appointed to training grants are welcome. The four modules can be completed over two years. The remaining modules in the 2023-2024 series are as follows: 

  • Session III: Promoting Professional Development, and Fostering Mentee Independence, Feb. 12, 1-3 p.m., Lurie Medical Research Center, Gray Seminar Room, Chicago 
  • Session IV: Cultivating Ethical Behavior and Assessing Understanding, May 6, 1-3 p.m., Lurie Medical Research Center, Gray Seminar Room, Chicago

These four sessions will be offered again in the 2024-2025 academic year; dates will be announced beginning in Summer 2024.

 

Register online for the remaining sessions.

 

Speaker Funding for Guest Lecturers

Faculty may apply for funding of up to $5,000 from the Office of the Provost’s endowed lecture funds to invite external speakers to Northwestern to deliver public lectures in eligible disciplines. The funds and disciplines are as follows: 

  • Harris Endowed Lecture Fund: all fields of human knowledge 
  • Hollister Endowed Lecture Fund: the improvement of public health 
  • Klopsteg Endowed Lecture Fund: the overlap of science or technology and humanities 

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.  

 

Take care of yourself

  • Northwestern's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider, SupportLinc, is offering free four-week virtual support groups for Northwestern employees. The next topic is "Stress Management in the Workplace," which starts Jan. 22. Learn more and register.
  • In addition to SupportLinc, the Office of the Provost offers the Faculty Wellness Program. 
  • We are in the thick of flu season, but it’s not too late to protect yourself and others from catching influenza by getting the annual flu vaccine. Make an appointment through the MyNM app or website, or call 847-491-8100.

 

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. 

Mark your calendar

Featured events


Key dates

 

More resources

 

Help us build future newsletters! If your school or department is working on a project that is relevant to the entire faculty, send an email to faculty@northwestern.edu.

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