News from the Center

Junior Faculty Teaching Fellows

Applications for the Junior Faculty Teaching Fellows Program are open. We welcome Lecturers and Assistant Professors to join this learning community centered around evidence-based pedagogy in higher education. To learn more and submit an application, visit the Junior Faculty Teaching Fellows website. Applications for the 2025-2026 program year must be received no later than September 1, 2025.

New and returning faculty, postdocs, and visiting scholars, as well as staff with responsibilities for community-engaged research or teaching, are encouraged to attend this Swearer Center retreat, which is designed to:  

• Seed and strengthen relationships among faculty and staff committed to or interested in community-engaged teaching and/or research

• Strategize about creating and sustaining community-engaged, equity-oriented partnerships and positive impact in the current context

• Enhance our collective understanding of the resources available to support this work, as well as creative initiatives, colleagues and community partners.    

The agenda will include a presentation and Q&A with Vice President for Community Engagement MJ Callan, a panel of community partners, interactive strategy sessions, lightning talks from faculty leaders followed by roundtable discussions, and informal networking time. Morning coffee/tea and lunch will be provided. The retreat is sponsored by the Swearer Center for Public Service in collaboration with the Sheridan Center and other partners.

Programs and Resources for New Instructors

Teaching at Brown for the First Time

This August, we will be pausing the ‘Launch’ program and instead offering two date options for ‘Teaching at Brown for the First Time’: Tuesday, August 12, 10:00-11:30 am EDT (Zoom); and Wednesday, August 27, 11:30 am -1:00 pm EDT (in person and on Zoom). Both offerings of ‘Teaching at Brown’ will cover the same content: 1) strategies for developing a Brown University syllabus and creating a motivating, inclusive, and accessible learning environment; 2) overview of Sheridan’s digital teaching resources; and 3) how to get support from the Center and other campus partners throughout the semester. Please feel free to contact sheridan_center@brown.edu with questions.

Teaching Essentials 

For Graduate TAs
Online and asynchronous
In this fully online, asynchronous, and self-paced program, Graduate Teaching Assistants engage in a reflective exploration of their own practices and beliefs about teaching. For more information and to register, visit our website. For questions, please contact Dr. Sara Misgen (sara_misgen@brown.edu).

For Undergraduate TAs
Online and asynchronous
For Undergraduate TAs interested in creating an inviting learning environment, the UTA Orientation will be facilitated through Canvas and made available for students beginning September 1. It consists of four modules: reflecting on your teaching values; preparing to teach; different teaching contexts; and resources. We strongly suggest that students be compensated by their departments at the unit’s hourly pay rate. Students can fill out the UTAO google registration form; registration is required to be enrolled in the Canvas site, which will be updated weekly. 

UTAs interested in an academic course that explores many of these same topics, with a community of other UTAs, may be interested in the Problem-Solving Fellows Program, which involves enrollment in UNIV 1110: The Theory and Teaching of Problem Solving this Fall. For questions about the UTA Orientation or the Problem-Solving Fellows Program, please contact Dr. Christina Smith (christina_smith2@brown.edu)

Fall Programs

Register for the Sheridan Teaching Seminar

The Fall 2025 Sheridan Teaching Seminar is now open for registration (space is limited). In this program, participants engage in an interdisciplinary community of teachers at Brown with the goal of improving their skills as instructors and their students’ learning. For program dates and to register, see the Sheridan Teaching Seminar website.

CIRTL Self-Paced Teaching & Learning Courses

Develop your teaching & learning knowledge and skills in one of CIRTL’s nine self-paced, asynchronous courses designed for graduate students and postdocs. These courses are now open for registration for the Fall 2025 term. You can read detailed descriptions of this programming and register by visiting the CIRTL website. If you have any questions, please email Dr. Logan Gin (logan_gin@brown.edu).

Brown Learning Collaborative

The Brown Learning Collaborative provides opportunities for undergraduate fellows to collaborate with faculty and peer partners in key academic areas: Data Science, Problem Solving, and Writing.

Asynchronous Resources and Programs

Creating a Teaching Portfolio

This online, self-paced Canvas workshop from the Sheridan Center guides participants through the process of writing a teaching statement and creating a teaching portfolio. For more information and to register, visit the Teaching Portfolio program website.