Teaching as Research is the deliberate, systematic, and reflective use of research methods by instructors to develop and implement teaching practices that advance the learning experiences and outcomes of both students and teachers.

Teaching as Research programming can be a great capstone experience for graduate students and postdocs interested in learning more about teaching and learning, enhancing their CVs, and moving closer to an academic career. Cornell and the CIRTL Network offer many options for learning more about and engaging in Teaching as Research projects. To learn more about Teaching as Research, view “What is TAR?” on YouTube.

Example Cornell University projects:

• Peer-reviewed Articles
• Conference Presentations
• Working Papers
• List of CIRTL-related Project Titles and Participants

Opportunities to get involved:

Local Training

Through participation in the CIRTL Network and a university-wide Active Learning Initiative at Cornell, there are an increasing number of options available for graduate students and postdocs to pursue formal training in implementing Teaching as Research projects, described in more detail below. Faculty and staff are encouraged to contact the Center for Teaching Innovation for individualized consultation.

Participate in seminars and discussion groups

A great way to get started is to attend the Teaching and Learning Reading Group meeting semi-monthly. Additionally, Discipline-Based Education Research (DBER) faculty in Biology and Physics are offering other journal clubs and graduate-level courses on a periodic basis. (Until Spring 2018, the graduate course ALS 6016: Teaching as Research in Higher Education was also offered locally, although the course is not currently offered.)

Teaching and Learning Reading Group details:

• Contacts: Carolyn Aslan, Center for Teaching Innovation (crc1), and Natasha Holmes, Assistant Professor of Physics (ngholmes)
• Frequency: Meets every two weeks. Ongoing.
• See readings and listserv

Attend the Connecting Research and Teaching Conference

This annual one-day conference in late spring highlights and supports the research of graduate students and postdocs, faculty and staff into effective teaching. Hear oral and poster presentations, participate in roundtables, and network with others interested in collecting evidence to inform their teaching practice and build their skills for careers in academia. Next Date: May 29, 2020.

Learn more about the Connecting Research and Teaching Conference

Participate in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Program

This workshop program is an individualized and group-mentored opportunity for graduate students and postdocs to design a first Teaching as Research project in their disciplines. Participants usually begin to plan project methods in the fall, investigate human subjects requirements, and carry out and present the project in spring semester, although some have been able to conduct a pilot-scale study within a single semester. There are no pre-requisites to participation, but a brief application and meeting with the program instructor is required.

As well as participating in approximately four cohort meetings, participants summarize and present their findings for their findings for a Teaching as Research conference as a poster (oral presentations may also be possible). Participants also have the option to write up their study question, methods and findings as a manuscript for a Working Paper Series. Participants selected for the program are eligible to receive up to $500 in support to defray project expenses and subsidize additional training or conference travel.

SoTL Program details:

• Contacts: Colleen McLinn (cmm252@cornell.edu), Future Faculty and Academic Careers
• Not credit-bearing
• Frequency: Meets 4-6 times for 2 hours during the year. Offered annually, typically with a fall-semester start.

Learn more about the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning program