Karron Lewis to participate in international research study
DIIA Associate Director Karron Lewis will take part in an international research study through a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRD). The study, “Pathways to the Profession of Faculty Development: An International Perspective,” will help define how educators come to the profession of faculty development, and further investigate teaching and learning centers, which are now a part of the college and university landscape around the world. Since many faculty developers entering the field have five or fewer years of experience, there is a need to understand the pathways, perspectives, and progressions in faculty development as the field matures and gains professionalism.
A significant outcome of the study will be a book for new developers that provides a cross-cultural view of faculty development pathways and perspectives. Dr. Lewis will serve as lead author on a chapter that describes the context and background of faculty development. She will also collaborate on two additional chapters: An overview of the various pathways taken by people who enter the field, and How we assess the impact of field on teaching and learning in higher education.
Members of the international team include six from Canada, four from the USA, two from the United Kingdom, and one from Australia. These countries established faculty development centers and programs in the mid-‘60s. The new study will include countries that are currently developing programs. For additional information on the study, visit http://www.iathe.org/pathways.