FAQs

Who may apply for the institute?

Any instructor—faculty, postdoc, or graduate student—interested in fostering inclusive learning environments and exploring critical pedagogies may apply. Instructors who are open to critically reflect on their role and responsibilities as educators and who are willing to fully and actively participate in small, structured learning communities are especially sought. In addition to UVA instructors from across grounds, faculty from other institutions can participate.

Is there a registration fee to attend the Institute?

Yes, there is a registration fee for the week-long institute. The fee covers all programming costs, including one-on-one consultation services. The CTE will provide participants with resources, and lunch and refreshments each day of the institute. The current fee is listed on the Application & Registration page.

UVA faculty may use their UVA Education Benefit to cover the registration fee. The Education Benefit provides centrally funded financial support for education, vocational, and professional development. If you are a UVA Academic Division employee and have one year of benefits-eligible service to the University, you have an annual Education Benefit which can be used to pay for this institute. For more information on the benefit and to confirm eligibility, visit the UVA Human Resources website.

Up to five UVA graduate students will be accepted to participate in the institute, with all expenses covered by the Center for Teaching Excellence.

I'm a UVA postdoc. Do I have access to the Education Benefit?

Some UVA postdoc classifications are eligible for the Education Benefit. You can visit UVA Human Resources to verify your status. If you are ineligible, you may apply under graduate student status, meaning that if accepted, the CTE will cover your registration fees.

How many participants are accepted?

In order to provide participants with individualized support, the institute is limited to approximately 40 instructors.

How much time will this take?

You’ll spend around 40 hours during the week working on aspects of your course. Nearly 3/4 of this time is spent in the institute itself—approximately six hours per day for four and a half days. The remaining time is spent outside of class completing various components of your course design and preparing for the next day’s discussions.

N.B. Many participants underestimate the time outside the institute it takes to fully develop their course materials. Consider clearing your calendar completely and dedicating the entire week to designing your course.

Do I have to attend each day?

Yes. Throughout the institute, you’ll work in a small, interdisciplinary group comprised of fellow instructors. This learning community will provide you thoughtful, constructive feedback, alternative perspectives, and general support and encouragement.  As such, we ask that you plan to attend each meeting and come with your “homework” completed.

What do I need to do to prepare for the institute?

The two most important questions you can ask are: “What do I want and hope my students will be able to remember, value and do as ethical citizens 3-5 years after taking my course?” and “Why is this important to me?” Spending time in advance of the institute contemplating these questions will greatly facilitate the work. We will send you a few key resources one to two weeks prior to the institute, including some specific exercises to help you more fully address these questions.