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Dear faculty,
I hope you saw last week’s announcement about the important steps Northwestern is taking to integrate and elevate data science and artificial intelligence (DS/AI) across the University. What's particularly exciting about DS/AI is that it touches all disciplines, providing the opportunity to make advancements together, across schools and campuses, as an academic community.
To that end, I encourage you to attend Northwestern’s new Computation and Data Exchange (CoDEx) symposium on April 2. Hosted by Northwestern Information Technology, this all-day event will showcase computational and data-intensive research at Northwestern and provide networking opportunities for University faculty, graduate students, undergraduate students, postdoctoral researchers and staff.
I also want to remind you of the terrific resources we have for instructors who are looking for guidance with AI in the classroom. On April 16, author James Lang will present a framework for the use of AI in the design of college courses and assessments in his talk "Policy to Pedagogy: Evaluating Artificial Intelligence for Teachers and Learners." Additionally, we have created a website dedicated to helping instructors maximize the potential (and avoid the pitfalls) of teaching in a world where AI tools are ubiquitous.
We are fortunate to have extensive expertise in DS/AI across Northwestern. I hope you will take advantage of the many opportunities available to explore how these tools and methods can enhance your research and teaching.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Hagerty Provost and Professor |
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| Offerings from Searle Center
- The Reimagining Assessment Practicum (RAP) is a three-week online program designed for instructors of all levels to learn more about and reflect on assessment and grading practices. It draws on expertise and experience from faculty and staff around the University. The spring iteration is April 8-26. Register for the whole practicum or individual sessions here. Download the spring schedule.
- Searle has published a new teaching and learning guide called “Making Large Classes Feel Smaller” that provides evidence-based approaches to course design, classroom activities, and assessment practices for large-enrollment classes.
News from the Block Museum + University Libraries
The Block Museum of Art and Northwestern University Libraries recently integrated the museum’s collection records into the Libraries’ search database. The Block Museum of Art’s collection of over 6,000 artworks is now searchable through Northwestern Libraries’ online catalog via NUSearch.
New Initiative From the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion
The Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion has launched the Mediation, Conflict Resolution, and Restorative Practices Initiative. This University-wide initiative aims to equip the Northwestern community with the skills needed to navigate conflicts constructively through empathetic and evidence-based approaches that promote inclusivity and well-being.
Academic Enrichment Grant
Through its Academic Enrichment Grant, the Alumnae of Northwestern University offers funds for faculty-sponsored programs that bring guest artists and distinguished scholars and speakers to campus. Up to $29,000 of funding is available, which may be awarded in its entirety to support one project or awarded in smaller amounts to several worthy projects. The application deadline is April 1.
In case you missed it
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| Communicating Your Research
In her April 11 workshop, "Yes, And! Communicating Science to a Broader Audience," Heather Barnes will lead a series of improv exercises designed to increase communication skills for working with the public and the media, as well as others in the STEM field. The session will cover topics such as distilling your message, tailoring content on the spot, responding in the moment, connecting with your audience and removing jargon. Register online.
New and Early Career Faculty Institute
New and early career faculty are invited to attend "Public Scholarship and Media Relations" on April 2. From print to broadcast to social media, there are many channels for sharing research, but framing complex research for different audiences and platforms is challenging. This interactive session with Northwestern’s Office of Global Marketing and Communications (OGMC) will provide an overview of where to get started and how OGMC can help. Register online.
Faculty Leaders Series
This series is designed specifically for department chairs, division chiefs and faculty directors. The next session, "Leading Your Faculty," on April 3, will provide guidance on how to tap into faculty members' talents and interests to engage them in contributing to the success of the department or unit.
Faculty Summer Writing Retreat
Join faculty colleagues for a weeklong retreat providing protected time and space for writing without distraction. The retreat will be offered twice: July 8-12 and July 22-26. Eligible faculty can attend only one of the two weeks and must be able to attend all five days from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Register via the online application by Friday, April 5. Space is limited, and priority will be given to those who have not attended a past Faculty Summer Writing Retreat. For more information, including eligibility, the daily schedule and details on the caregiving stipends, visit the writing retreat webpage.
Faculty Wellness Week
Faculty Wellness Week is designed to address the multiple dimensions of wellness through a variety of in-person and remote programs, including:
- Faculty Family Night at the Dearborn Observatory, April 3, 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.: Join fellow faculty members and their loved ones for Faculty Family Night at the Dearborn Observatory. Every participant will get the chance to look through the telescope, cultivating intellectual and social wellness. Register online.
- "Caring From Afar – An Eldercare Webinar," April 4, noon-1 p.m.: Learn about resources and share strategies and experiences with the challenges of caring for senior loved ones from afar. Facilitated by Katherine Albrecht, MSW, Senior Care Advisor with Care.com. Register online for this virtual session.
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| Featured events
- Through July 7: Actions for the Earth: Art, Care and Ecology at The Block Museum of Art
- April 2, all day: Computation and Data Exchange (CoDEx) Symposium
- April 2, noon: New and Early Career Faculty Institute: "Public Scholarship and Media Relations"
- April 3, 11 a.m.: "Burnout Resilience through Connection," a workshop featuring Dr. Rebecca Pope-Ruark, author of “Unraveling Faculty Burnout: Pathways to Reckoning and Renewal”
- April 3, noon: Faculty Leaders Series: "Leading Your Faculty"
- April 3, 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.: Faculty Family Night at the Dearborn Observatory
- April 4, noon: "Caring From Afar – An Eldercare Webinar"
- April 8-26: Spring Reimagining Assessment Practicum
- April 11, 9 a.m.: "Yes, And! Communicating Science to a Broader Audience"
- April 16, 10 a.m.: "Writing Like a Teacher: Expanding the Audience for Your Writing"
- April 16, 2 p.m.: "Policy to Pedagogy: Evaluating Artificial Intelligence for Teachers and Learners"
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, please send an email at least one month prior to the desired month of publication to faculty@northwestern.edu. |
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