The Williams Council is now accepting Williams Fellow nominations and Williams instructional proposals for the 2019-20 academic year.

The Williams Fund was established to encourage innovations in teaching and to provide support for initiatives to enhance the quality of undergraduate teaching.

Nominations and instructional proposals are reviewed by the Williams Council, which includes faculty members from across schools and colleges who are previous recipients of the Williams Fellowship, Distinguished Teaching Awards or who have demonstrated innovation and thoughtfulness in teaching undergraduate students.

“Williams Fellows are selected for their inclusive and research-led teaching practices but also specifically for their innovation and willingness to collaborate and make connections beyond a single course or discipline,” said Sierra Dawson, associate vice provost for academic affairs and a member of the Williams Council. “The Williams instructional grants provide funding for faculty to dream big and try new and exciting ways to engage their undergraduate students in authentic and significant learning.”

The Williams Fellowships are awarded to career instructional and tenure-track faculty members who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to undergraduate education by challenging students academically, creating inclusive learning environments and striving to enhance the learning experience through innovation and collaboration. Fellows receive a $5,000 award to acknowledge their outstanding contributions to the university.

A separate $5,000 is awarded to the recipient’s department to be supervised by the recipient and used to improve the teaching and learning experience of undergraduate students.

To submit a Williams Fellowship nomination, complete the online fellows nomination form and email two supporting letters and the nominee’s curriculum vitae to OtP@uoregon.edu. All materials must be received by Feb. 1.

Nominations for Williams Fellows will be evaluated by the Williams Council against the stated criteria.

The Williams instructional proposals offer an opportunity for faculty members to rethink or develop courses and curriculums that actively engage undergraduate students in the learning process. Although all proposals will receive full consideration, the council is particularly interested in instructional proposals dedicated to enhancing an inclusive teaching and learning culture and increasing students’ sense of connection, support and agency in their studies.

All faculty members are invited to submit an instructional proposal.

To submit a Williams instructional proposal, complete the online instructional proposal form. Proposal submissions are due by Feb. 1.

Instructional proposals will be evaluated by the Williams Council using criteria aligned with the goals of the Williams Fund.

To learn more about the Williams Fund, fellowships and instructional proposals, visit the Office of the Provost website.

—By Jesse Summers, University Communications