Description

The Teaching and Learning Specialist advances teaching and learning at NYU Abu Dhabi by partnering with faculty, academic staff, and students to design, pilot, and scale evidence-based instructional and assessment practices. Working collaboratively with faculty as disciplinary experts, the Specialist supports innovation through targeted experimentation, evaluation, and refinement of teaching approaches that enhance student engagement and learning in a diverse, global context.

Grounded in the mission of a global liberal arts institution, the role contributes to educational practices that cultivate critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and social responsibility, preparing students to navigate and address complex, evolving societal and global challenges.

The Teaching and Learning Specialist reports to the Director of the Hilary Ballon Center for Teaching and Learning.

Key Responsibilities

1. Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)

Conduct and apply research on teaching and learning to inform instructional practices and institutional initiatives
Translate evidence and data (e.g., student and faculty feedback, surveys, learning analytics metrics) into actionable insights and resources
Contribute to the strategic development and dissemination of research-informed teaching practices within and beyond the institution

2. Faculty Partnership & Development

Collaborate with faculty and academic staff as disciplinary experts to co-design courses, assignments, and assessments
Contribute to faculty development initiatives, including New Faculty Orientation, structured discipline-specific program developed in collaboration with area-specific needs and peer observation programs
Support faculty in adopting inclusive, evidence-based, and innovative teaching practices

3. Innovation in Teaching, Learning & AI

Co-design and implement pilot projects to explore new approaches to teaching and assessment, including AI-integrated and AI-cognizant practices
Support the development and implementation of AI-related guidelines, policies, and faculty support resources
Support programs in developing AI-literacy components through integrated assignments
Evaluate and scale effective innovations in alignment with institutional priorities

4. Student Partnership & Learning Ecosystem

Engage students as partners in teaching and learning initiatives through collaboration with AI student liaisons, student government, and other student groups
Design and support mechanisms for gathering student insight (e.g., surveys, focus groups, faculty-student groups, research) to inform instructional practices and institutional priorities
Facilitate structured opportunities for faculty to incorporate student perspectives into course design, assessment, and AI-related practices
Collaborate closely with relevant units (e.g., Center for Writing, Academic Resource Center, Student Success) to align student academic support with course expectations and learning goals

5. Cross-Unit Collaboration & Institutional Alignment

Coordinate with academic and administrative units (e.g., Academic Technology, Library, Writing Center, Academic Resource Center) to align teaching and learning initiatives
Support institution-wide priorities related to curriculum, assessment, and student success
Contribute to coherent, integrated approaches across programs and initiatives

6. Programs, Resources & Engagement

Support the design and delivery of workshops, events, and teaching-related initiatives
Develop and disseminate resources, guides, and communications for faculty and students
Engage external collaborators and speakers to advance dialogue on teaching and learning