The University of Calgary Teaching Scholars program pilot will provide support for faculty to enhance their educational leadership by pursuing an initiative that addresses a specific teaching and learning opportunity of shared interest within and/or amongst faculties. Initiatives will help other instructors strengthen their teaching practice and improve student learning.
The Teaching Scholars program fosters the development of integrated networks of educational leadership, scholarship, and practice to enable academic staff to develop specific initiatives that enrich the quality of teaching and learning at the University of Calgary. Initiatives can be disciplinary or interdisciplinary, but are intended to have impact within or across faculties (ie broader in scope than individual courses).
View the list of pilot Teaching Scholars recipients
Initiatives may focus on, but are not limited to:
- developing, implementing, and evaluating discipline-specific or interdisciplinary teaching and learning approaches
- integrating learning technologies to enrich student learning experiences
- enhancing student engagement in large classes
- developing, implementing and evaluating capstone learning experiences
- developing, implementing, and evaluating community-based and experiential learning opportunities
Program details
The Teaching Scholars program will provide recipients with up to $40,000 over three years to implement a specific teaching and learning initiative. Although the specific allocation of funds will be based on the needs of each scholar's initiative and faculty, funds may be used to support the purchase of release time, to fund undergraduate/graduate research assistantships, to acquire project resources and to fund expenses associated with disseminating project findings (e.g. conference travel).
Recipients will be appointed as a University of Calgary Teaching Scholar and will be invited to participate as an ongoing member of the Teaching Scholars advisory committee. All recipients will receive a framed award, recognizing their contribution to educational leadership and dedication to enriching the quality of teaching and learning at the University of Calgary. For the pilot program (2015), up to 10 Teaching Scholars will be appointed.
Teaching Scholars program proposal (PDF)
Eligibility
The University of Calgary Teaching Scholars program is available to tenured and tenure-track academic staff, with continuing appointments. Each faculty member may receive Teaching Scholars' funding one time during their academic career. Funding will not be awarded for initiatives that fall within the normal scope of a faculty member’s required teaching responsibilities. Co-applicants may apply for shared funding; the maximum award for collaborative initiatives will be $40,000.
Program requirements
Recipients of the Teaching Scholars program are required to:
- Complete a meaningful and relevant initiative of shared disciplinary and/or interdisciplinary interest, with clearly defined outcomes, that is designed to build teaching and learning capacity and enhance student learning experiences within and/or amongst faculties at the University of Calgary.
- Develop and implement initiatives that enable and engage colleagues and build networks of practice across the broader academic community.
- Participate in an interdisciplinary community of practice with Teaching Scholars from across the University of Calgary (hosted by the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning)
- Disseminate the results of their initiative for the benefit of the broader academic community, through their faculty and the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning.
- Complete a mid-term and final report outlining their progress and findings.
Program benefits
The Teaching Scholars program will:
- build teaching and learning capacity within and across disciplines;
- establish and connect small working groups and networks of practice;
- contribute to inquiry, excellence, and innovation in teaching and learning;
- enhance student learning experiences; and,
- strengthen educational leadership across the institution.
How to apply
Faculty members interested in being a Teaching Scholar should submit an application to the program. Initial proposals are due October 16, 2015. Final submissions are due December 11, 2015 at 12:00 pm (noon).
Completed applications should be sent to ti.edu@ucalgary.ca with the subject line "Teaching Scholars Program Application".
View application details
Support
The Taylor Institute will be hosting two drop-in support sessions for those interested to ask specific questions related to the program and to consult on their applications.
Teaching Scholars Program Consultation Slides
Contact
Natasha Kenny
Director, Educational Development Unit
Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning
nakenny@ucalgary.ca
Acknowledgements
The Taylor Institute would like to thank Dawn Johnston, Jackie Seidel and Wendy Benoit, as well as the Associate Deans (Teaching and Learning) and the Teaching and Learning Committee of the General Faculties Council, for their valuable contributions and input into the development of this program.
