Network Exchange Program - Overview

Exchange Program Overview

The CIRTL Network Exchange Program is a two to three day visit to a host campus within the Network. This program is designed to give applicants the opportunity to give a Teaching-as-Research colloquium and interact with disciplinary colleagues at the CIRTL Network institution. Participants also have the opportunity to practice professional skills before entering the jobmarket. 

The opportunity to present or do disciplinary research at another university is often a formative experience in a graduate student career. The same is true of teaching-as-research, and indeed disciplinary and teaching-as-research activities will each enhance the other. Our experience shows that providing a research presence both in the discipline and in teaching increases the credibility and respect of each. We highlight two strategic goals of the CIRTL Network Exchange Program. First, by integrating and funding both disciplinary and teaching-as-research connections, this program provides incentives for research advisors to support their graduate students and post-docs in this program, and in integrating their research and teaching professional development. Second, this program will be a major dissemination channel for adaptations throughout the CIRTL Network.

The CIRTL Network promotes the development of a national faculty in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) committed to implementing and advancing effective teaching practices for diverse student audiences as part of their professional careers. The pillars of CIRTL - Teaching-as-Research, Learning Communities, and Learning-through-Diversity - underlie all CIRTL activities. STEM faculty use research methods to systematically and reflectively improve learning outcomes. This work is done within a community of shared learning and discovery, and explicitly recognizes that effective teaching capitalizes on the rich array of experiences, backgrounds, and skills among the students and teachers to enhance the learning of all.