The Searle Fellows Program aims to help early career faculty develop expertise and knowledge about learning and teaching.
Program Aims and Objectives
The program has been designed to (1) integrate with existing faculty teaching demands, (2) draw on the academic experience of faculty in their current research/scholarship, (3) provide academic rigor and stimulation at a high intellectual level, and (4) create a professional experience which will be rich and rewarding for faculty over the course of their careers.
The program encourages faculty to develop:
- the ability to reflect on all aspects of teaching and on their own identity and positionality of themselves as educators;
- a deep understanding of key issues and practices of learning and teaching;
- inclusive learning and teaching environments;
- knowledge and expertise in the areas of learning and teaching;
- skill in assessing student learning;
- evidence-based approaches to learning and teaching; and
- capacity for facilitating conversations about these ideas with others.
- Attend required series of events. View a list of 2019-2020 events.
- Develop an inquiry-based project related to his or her teaching. Review the project guidelines.
- Work with a senior faculty mentor. See mentoring expectations .
- Consult with Searle Center staff to develop their projects.
- Participate in 3-4 Faculty Workshops.
- Meet 2-3 times with project group (peers in the program).
View the current and past fellows page for a list of all participants and mentors (2019-2020 list is forthcoming).
View detailed program description.
Eligibility
Eligible early career faculty from schools other than Feinberg School of Medicine will receive invitations from the Provost to apply for the program. Eligible faculty from Feinberg will be invited by the Dean and applications will go through the Feinberg Academy of Medical Educators. For more information about the application process and eligibility, please contact Susanna Calkins, Ph.D. (s-calkins@northwestern.edu).
Interested faculty members must supply the following application materials:
1. A letter of application which includes the following:
- An expression of your commitment to participate fully in the program (attending all required events, attending workshops, taking part in consultations etc.).
- A 3-4 paragraph description of a learning and teaching project (e.g. designing or reconstructing a course; developing a new innovation; conducting a small study), as well as your rationale for pursuing this project during your year as a Searle Fellow.
- A short description of how you hope to develop generally in your teaching.
2. A brief statement of support from your department chair, acknowledging your participation in the program.
3. A current CV.
