Over a dozen University of Delaware graduate students and postdoctoral fellows participated in a meet-up of UDs Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL) held in conjunction with the Winter Faculty Institute (WFI) on Jan. 9-10.

During the WFI, which was sponsored by Faculty Commons and the Center for Teaching and Assessment of Learning (CTAL), participants discussed guiding principles that impact course design, student learning, and inclusivity within the classroom.

The CIRTL group met at the conclusion of each day of the WFI to reflect upon their experiences as both students and future faculty. The group suggested ways in which the University community can continue to support and enhance the role of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows as scholars in the realm of teaching and learning.

The CIRTL meet-up was facilitated by Tobias Lemke, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Political Science and International Relations, along with the CIRTL institutional leader, Deborah Allen, professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, and administrative co-leader, Jacqueline L. Fajardo, assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Attendees represented disciplines from the College of Arts and Sciences, the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment, the College of Engineering, and the College of Education and Human Development.

CIRTL is an international network of over 40 top research universities dedicated to excellence in undergraduate education through the development of a national faculty committed to implementing and advancing effective teaching practices for diverse learners .

CIRTL envisions that training of current graduate students and postdocs in the scholarship of teaching and learning will enhance the quality of undergraduate education as CIRTL participants’ transition into faculty positions.

The UD chapter of CIRTL encourages graduate students, post-docs, preceptors, faculty, and staff from all disciplines throughout the University community to participate in and benefit from local and national CIRTL opportunities.

Three tiers of CIRTL accomplishment may be achieved through participation, including associate, practitioner and scholar.

Local learning communities tailored to the needs of CIRTL participants are also currently being established. General information about the local UD CIRTL chapter may be found on the chapter website. Questions can be emailed to the UD CIRTL Program at cirtl-info@udel.edu.

The first official UD CIRTL-sponsored event will be held in UD’s Faculty Commons, 116 Pearson Hall, on Wednesday, Feb. 1, from noon-1:30 p.m. The event is open to all graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, preceptors, and staff with an interest in joining the UD CIRTL chapter.

Registration opportunities will be provided during the event in addition to individual advisement sessions with University leaders on the UD CIRTL team. Light refreshments will be served.