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Sheridan Newsletter
August 2026
New Instructor Programs
Teaching at Brown for the First Time
Wednesday, August 26, Noon - 1:00pm
SciLi 720 or Zoom
Register here
Are you teaching at Brown for the first time this semester? In this one-hour workshop, Dr. Charlie Carroll (Associate Director, Graduate Writing/Visiting Assistant Professor of History) and Claire Streckenbach (Learning Technologist) will review strategies for creating a motivating, inclusive, and accessible learning environment; provide an overview of Sheridan’s digital teaching resources; and demonstrate how to get support from the Center and other campus partners throughout the semester.
GTA Orientation
Online and asynchronous
Register here
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, visit our website and complete our registration form. For questions, please contact Dr. Logan Gin (logan_gin@brown.edu).
UTA Orientation
UTA Teaching Essentials is moving to Workday!
This fully online, asynchronous program is designed to help UTAs prepare for teaching. We will address the following topics: Reflecting on Values, Preparing to Teach, Teaching Contexts, and Resources and Next Steps. Check back in September for more details or contact Dr. Christina Smith (christina_smith2@brown.edu).
Fall Programs
Applications Open for ‘Seminar on AI Literacy’
The Sheridan Center announces the new Seminar on AI Literacy (SAIL), a program that will support faculty and departments in building critical AI literacy in their curricula by leveraging the expertise of discipline-specific teams of faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates. Through partnerships with students, instructors will gain critical insights into how to design and achieve their course objectives in ways that engage student interests and perspectives. Participants will meet in-person in the Sheridan Center on six Fridays (12:00-2:00 pm) starting in October 2026. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until August 18. If your department or program has questions about this program, please email sheridan_center@brown.edu.
2026-2027 Junior Faculty Teaching Fellows Program
The Sheridan Junior Faculty Teaching Fellows program is a yearlong, cohort-based learning community that provides the opportunity for a small interdisciplinary group of junior faculty to develop and reflect on their teaching. For more information, visit the Junior Faculty Teaching Fellows website and complete the JFTF application form by September 2nd.
Fundamentals of Canvas Accessibility Mini-Course
Online and asynchronous
Register here by September 10
Want to learn how to make your Canvas course accessible? Then enroll in Digital Learning & Design’s ‘Fundamentals of Canvas Course Accessibility’ mini-course. Open to graduate students, post docs, faculty, and staff, this two-week, asynchronous course covers the seven pillars of digital accessibility.
During the mini-course, which begins September 14th, there will be an opportunity to participate in an optional synchronous session hosted by the Sheridan Center's DLD staff. (If you would prefer to participate in the August offering of this course, please register using the August registration form today.)
Register for Sheridan Teaching Seminar
Registration for the 2026 Sheridan Teaching Seminar is open on a first-come, first-served basis. The Sheridan Teaching Seminar is a fall-semester certificate program designed to enhance participants’ instructional skills and build interdisciplinary teaching communities. Please read the Sheridan Teaching Seminar program information before completing the Sheridan Teaching Seminar registration form.
‘Teaching at Teaching Intensive Institutions Conference’
Friday, October 2, 9am - 3pm
Worcester State University
Find more information here
Many faculty enjoy rewarding careers at colleges and universities that primarily emphasize teaching, including liberal arts colleges, community colleges, and regional comprehensive universities. This free one-day regional conference, co-sponsored by Brown’s Graduate School, brings together graduate students, postdocs, and faculty to discuss what it’s like to work at teaching intensive institutions and how to apply for these faculty positions. Graduate students and postdocs will engage with faculty and deans from a range of teaching-intensive institutions across the New England region through a series of talks, panel presentations, and networking opportunities. Information will be continually updated on the TTII conference website, including a place to request notification of registration opening.
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.
Data Science
Fellows
Seeking Faculty Partners for Fall 2026: Data Science Fellows
Are you a faculty member who is thinking about integrating data or data science/AI tools into your course? Or maybe you have an idea for a teaching tool that is based on data science to help you in your teaching. Each fall semester, Data Science Fellows help faculty just like you to create data science based innovations to enhance your teaching! Take a moment to browse the Data Science Fellows website to see what your faculty colleagues have created with Data Science Fellows in years past, or use the projects as inspiration to think creatively about a project you would like to do! You do not need to have any technical expertise. Faculty from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. Please fill out this interest form and we will reach out to talk more about the program and answer any questions you have!
Problem-Solving
Fellows
Improve Your Teaching with a Problem-Solving Fellow!
Are you a UTA, tutor, or professor who wants a student perspective on your teaching? Sign up for a Problem-Solving Fellow (PSF) Teaching Consultation! PSFs are undergraduate students trained to give feedback on any and all elements of teaching or assisting in teaching a course. If you are looking to increase the effectiveness of your assignments, lecturing, or general teaching strategies, consider reaching out! Each consultation is confidential, personalized, and led from a student-based perspective. Please fill out our interest form to get started. Questions? Please contact psf@brown.edu.
The PSFs are also working on projects related to faculty, staff, and advisor perceptions of S/NC; Brown STEM cultures from a student perspective; and making sense of new educational environments.
Asynchronous Resources and Programs
English Language Support: Self-Paced Modules for Academic and Professional Communication
A series of asynchronous modules is available for supporting international-identifying and multilingual learners’ academic and professional communication in the U.S.-specific context. These self-paced modules cover key communicative strategies, including effective email writing, professional communication for job search and networking, navigating advisor-advisee interactions and critical AI Literacy for multilingual academic writers. Register to gain access to all modules using this Asynchronous English Language Support Request Form. Participants will be added to the English Language Resource Google Group and receive a link to the resource site. For questions, please contact Dr. Joy Liu at joy_s_liu@brown.edu.
Teaching Metacognition
Based on Saundra McGuire’s book, Teach Yourself How to Learn, this Canvas Commons module can be added to any Brown course. The resource addresses these topics:
What is metacognition?
What is the difference between studying and learning?
How might your own study habits be setting you up for success, or holding you back?
What are proven systems, strategies, and mindsets to improve one's learning?
Faculty might also be interested in this Sheridan newsletter on Teaching Metacognition.
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.
Faculty Guide Spotlight: Managing Group Work
Do you want to integrate collaborative learning into your course but are concerned about meaningful, equitable participation? Check out our guide on managing group work for practical guidance.
Planning Resource: Sheridan Calendars
Interested in knowing when Sheridan Center programs typically run during the year? Please see the calendars below.