Research and Creative Activities
The University of North Georgia (UNG) offers three awards for Research and Creative Activities: the university-wide Distinguished Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award, the Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award, and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award.
Distinguished Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award
This university-wide award recognizes one faculty member annually whose teaching philosophy and research demonstrates sustained, exemplary engagement with the scholarship of teaching and learning. He or she systematically examines student learning and the instructional conditions that promote educational efficacy. The nominee has documented strategies of inquiry and analysis that are anchored in the on-going academic dialog. His or her work has been disseminated in public, peer-reviewed venues and contributes new questions and knowledge about teaching and learning. The recipient may apply to be the UNG nominee for the University System of Georgia Regents’ Award for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.
Application Process
This application must include the following documents:
- Nomination letter from faculty member’s coordinator, department head, or dean that highlights research contributions on teaching and learning (1-2 pages, 1” margins, minimum 12-point font)
- A teaching philosophy statement that outlines how research questions and the related goals, theories, and methods of their scholarship activities support their teaching philosophy. (1-2 pages, 1” margins, minimum 12-point font)
- Evidence or data about the impact of their teaching techniques/pedagogies on student learning and potential impact on teaching and learning in the discipline. (3-5 pages, 1” margins, minimum 12-point font)
- A condensed curriculum vitae that includes relevant SOTL presentations and/or publications. (2-3 pages, 1” margins, minimum 12-point font)
- One or two letters of support from colleagues qualified to comment on the value and quality of the nominee’s scholarship of teaching and learning activities, and its impact in improving undergraduate/graduate education. These letters should describe how the nominee’s activities have contributed knowledge in the field and how it has enhanced the learning of students.
Deadline for Nominations
The award nomination material must be submitted by April 7, 2017, at 12:00 p.m.
To submit an application for these awards, please use your UNG LOGIN to access the Office of Research and Engagement's Internal University Awards and External Grant Funding nominations site.
Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award
In conjunction with faculty awards events, the Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (CURCA) would like to honor faculty mentors for their involvement and efforts in supervising undergraduates in research and creative activities. At UNG, we define undergraduate research as “An inquiry or exploration conducted and disseminated by an undergraduate student that makes an intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline or to applied practice.” This award recognizes the recipient’s outstanding work in engaging undergraduates in this high impact practice and/or the recipient’s contribution to creating or sustaining long-term undergraduate research programs at UNG. The winning mentor will receive a $500 travel award to support student or faculty travel to present their research or creative activities at an external conference. Additionally, the review panel will award up to three certificates of merit for other outstanding faculty mentors. The selected mentors will also be considered for the position of CURCA Faculty Fellow.
Complete the Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award application to apply. Please direct any questions or comments to CURCA@ung.edu.
Application Process
Each faculty member should upload the following three letters:
- Applicant Letter – the mentor will provide an explanation of their cumulative mentoring activities involving undergraduates in research and/or creative activities (one page limit).
- Colleague Letter – a recommendation letter from a colleague of the mentor who can speak first- hand about the applicant's mentoring of undergraduates in research and/or creative activities (two page limit).
- Student Letter – a recommendation letter from an undergraduate who was mentored within a research or creative project by the applicant within the past two years (two page limit).
A faculty review panel will evaluate the completed applications and select this year's recipient. The winning mentor will receive a $500 award that will fund student or faculty travel to present their research or creative activities during the 2017-2018 academic year. Additionally, the review panel will award up to three certificates of merit for other outstanding faculty mentors. The selected mentors will also be considered for the position of CURCA Faculty Fellow for the 2017-2018 school year. Please direct any questions or comments to CURCA@ung.edu.
The faculty review panel looks forward to reading the application letters and learning about the great opportunities and experiences undergraduate students are having at the University of North Georgia.
Deadline for Nominations
The award nomination material must be submitted by April 7, 2017, at 12:00 p.m.
To submit an application for these awards, please use your UNG LOGIN to access the Office of Research and Engagement's Internal University Awards and External Grant Funding nominations site.
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award
This award recognizes faculty and teaching staff whose research demonstrates valuable work in the scholarship of teaching and learning. The awardee engages in a systematic examination of student learning and the instructional conditions that promote learning. His or her work has been disseminated in public, peer-reviewed venues. Up to three awards may be made annually. Faculty and teaching staff from all campuses are encouraged to apply.
Application Process
This application must include the following documents:
- Nomination letter from faculty member’s colleague or supervisor that highlights research contributions on teaching and learning. (1-2 pages, 1” margins, minimum 12-point font)
- A teaching philosophy statement that outlines how research questions and the related goals, theories, and methods of their scholarship activities support their teaching philosophy. References to their presented, published, or in-progress works are encouraged. (3-5 pages, 1” margins, minimum 12-point font)
- Artifact of SoTL: Published or presented article, book chapter, poster, etc.
- A condensed curriculum vitae that includes relevant SOTL presentations and/or publications. (2-3 pages, 1” margins, minimum 12-point font)
- One or two letters of support from colleagues qualified to comment on the value and quality of the nominee’s scholarship of teaching and learning activities, and its impact in improving undergraduate/graduate education.
Deadline for Nominations
The award nomination material must be submitted by April 7, 2017, at 12:00 p.m.
To submit an application for these awards, please use your UNG LOGIN to access the Office of Research and Engagement's Internal University Awards and External Grant Funding nominations site.
Award Recipients
Scholarship of Teaching & Learning Award
Renee Bricker, History-Anthropology-Philosophy (2015)
Michael Rifenburg, English (2015)
