The Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT) is pleased to invite applications for its 2025-26 Teaching Innovation Institute. The Teaching Innovation Institute is a cross-disciplinary, year-long cohort experience for faculty eager to examine the evolving impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI) on teaching and learning.
As we approach two and half years since the release of ChatGPT, the limitations and capabilities of generative AI continue to change. Likewise, the literature about generative AI, both scholarly and otherwise, indicates that there is no singular stance or set of practices to guide higher education’s approach to it. What we do know is that the building of critical literacies around AI are deeply rooted in disciplinary-based experimentation, research, and scrutiny. To that end, the Teaching Innovation Institute reflects on and explores the relevant issues surrounding AI in the context of participants’ unique disciplines, classrooms, and research environments. These issues may include:
- fostering critical literacies;
- engaging in ethical questions,
- ensuring safe development and implementation,
- considering social and historical contexts,
- developing practical skills, and
- enhancing educational goals and outcomes.
Through guided inquiry, workshops, research, readings, and small group conversation, members of the cohort will work collaboratively with peers across the disciplines to inform their own approaches to AI in their teaching and/or research.
Objectives
After completing the Teaching Innovation Institute, participants will be able to:
- Communicate effectively and persuasively about the nature and capabilities of generative AI
- Use generative AI technologies strategically in their disciplinary and professional contexts
- Evaluate the use of generative AI with respect to ethical, educational, and practical considerations
- Create effective learning environments and experiences that engage students with generative AI
- Support other instructors across UK in investigating generative AI’s implications for their disciplines and professions
As an immersive program grounded in experiential and discussion-based activities, the CELT Teaching Innovation Institute encourages participants to approach their work with a sense of curiosity and play. No expertise with generative AI is expected, but applicants should also be willing to energetically experiment with and research generative AI tools for the purpose of exploring its potential for their scholarly and educational work. Participants will ultimately implement instructional strategies, activities, or other pedagogical innovations, reflect on the process, and share the results and insights with the wider campus community.
Eligibility
Full-time faculty of any kind at UK (e.g., lecturers, regular/special/clinical title series) are eligible to apply. Applicants must be able and willing to attend approximately six workshops during the Fall 2025 semester on Wednesdays from 2:15-3:45 as well as two additional workshops in Spring 2026 (to be scheduled). Eligible applicants should anticipate a teaching assignment of some kind for the spring 2026 semester. Participants from the first four cohorts (2020, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24) are welcome to apply.
Expertise with generative AI is not required, though participants will be asked to approach the technology with both critical and curious mindsets.
Applicants selected to participate will receive a stipend of $3000 divided evenly across the fall and spring semesters ($1500/semester).
How to Apply?
Access the application by clicking here or going to bit.ly/tii2526app.
We strongly recommend drafting responses to the application elsewhere before entering them into the form, which may not save your work between sessions.
In addition to the application form, applicants should have their department chair, school director, or equivalent email stating they are aware of and support your application to Dr. Jill Abney, Associate Director of CELT, at jill.abney@uky.edu. These statements need only indicate the chair/director’s awareness and support of the application. The content of the letters will not be used to distinguish between applicants during the selection process.
Application Dates
- Applications are due at 5:00 PM on Monday, April 28.
- Notification of decisions will be sent by 5:00 PM on Monday, May 5.
- Confirmation of participation is due by 5:00 PM on Thursday, May 8.
- The program will begin on September 3, 2025.
Contact
If you have questions, please contact Dr. Jill Abney at jill.abney@uky.edu.
Tentative Dates for Teaching Innovation Institute Fall 2025 Events
Sessions will meet Wednesdays from 2:15-3:45pm on:
- September 3
- September 17
- October 8
- October 22
- November 5
- December 3