Networking and Professional Development in a Time of Online Teaching and Learning

Looking for a competitive edge as a scholar and instructor? CIRTL can help! The Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL) is a network of 37 research universities in the United States and Canada with the goal of enhancing STEM undergraduate education through the professional development of future faculty.  Indiana University Bloomington and IUPUI both are members in the CIRTL network, which means if you’re a graduate student at one of these universities, you have access to all of CIRTL’s offerings! Each of the 37 institutions in the network takes turns with facilitating programming. As a participant, you can network with and learn from graduate students and researchers at institutions like Columbia, Howard, and Texas A&M. 

Though CIRTL has a focus on STEM education, many of their events focus on skills widely applicable to all classrooms. CIRTL’s programming—which are based on their core ideas of Learning Through Diversity, Teaching as Research, and working in Learning Communities—contain teaching strategies that are widely applicable in any discipline. In disciplines within STEM—where scholars with minoritized identities are deeply underrepresented—equity and inclusion is especially important. CIRTL programming helps graduate students create equitable learning experiences and environments with intentional and deliberate efforts. This extra training to increase diversity and inclusion in STEM fields might be beneficial when you’re on the job market.  

So, how does CIRTL work? 

CIRTL programming includes, but is not restricted to, courses and workshops. In each of these, participants have the opportunity to engage with  development experiences, concepts, and resources that promote reflective and effective teaching practices.  If this piques your interest, or would be valuable for someone you know, please take a look at the upcoming professional development opportunities at CIRTL, like Overview of High-Impact Practices, Taxonomies, and Assessment or Reducing Math Anxiety Among your Students.

Know someone who might benefit from this information? CITL encourages you to share this information with your friends and colleagues. For other professional development events, take a look at our upcoming CITL workshops.