A&S Innovates

Embedding collaboration, creativity, and convergence into daily experiences and the core fabric of Arts & Sciences

A&S Innovates

A&S Innovates is a collaboration with Arts & Sciences’ vice deans and faculty leaders to spur special interdisciplinary research opportunities, new educational initiatives, and to strengthen community across departments and programs.

Inaugural Teaching Innovation Showcase

Arts & Sciences hosted the inaugural Teaching Innovation Showcase on November 18, 2025 in collaboration with the Office of the Provost and the Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Eleven A&S faculty members made 3-minute lightning pitches about teaching innovations that deliver a transformational learning experience for students and faculty alike. Around 140 faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members attended the event and voted on their favorite presentations. Each of the category winners received a $1,000 prize.
 

Research Innovation Showcase

Get ready for the 2026 Research Innovation Showcase — a dynamic event celebrating groundbreaking ideas and collaborative creativity across disciplines.

Attendees can look forward to 3-minute lightning pitches on bold, creative ideas or projects and networking opportunities with researchers, innovators, and industry partners. Check out the video from our inaugural event.

The 2026 Research Innovation Showcase will be held on Tuesday, March 3.

Click here to learn more and register for the event

 

 

Past Winners and Presenters

2025: Inaugural Teaching Innovation Showcase

Congratulations to our showcase winners!
Jacob Montgomery, Professor of Political Science
  • Incorporating Technologies to Enrich Learning Experiences and Outcomes
Kate Wilson, Senior Lecturer in Classics
  • Integrating Experiential Elements that Facilitate New Skills Development
Scott Krummenacher, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Studies
Thank you to all of the presenters!
Dan Butler, Professor of Political Science
Liz Chiarello, Associate Professor of Sociology
Mimi Kim, Teaching Professor of Korean Language
Ben Mansfeld, Assistant Professor of Biology
Ally Milner, Lecturer in Spanish
Rachel Penczykowski, Associate Professor of Biology
Sean Savoie, Teaching Professor of Design
Robert Wexler, Assistant Professor of Chemistry

2025: Inaugural Research Pitch Competition

1st Place: Gabi Kirilloff, Assistant Professor of English
Almost Human: ChatGPT, Writing Style, and Cultural Bias

2nd Place: Keith Hengen, Assistant Professor of Biology
Maximizing Brain Potential: Enhancing Learning through Sleep and Criticality

3rd Place: Clarissa Hayward, Professor of Political Science
Take Back the Night! A Story of Institutional Change

Thank you to all of the presenters!
Jon Brestoff, Associate Professor of Pathology and Immunology
Tansu Daylan, Assistant Professor of Physics
AJ Jones, Assistant Professor of Anthropology
Andrew Jordan, Assistant Professor of Economics
Chenfeng Ke, Associate Professor of Chemistry
Christopher Lucas, Associate Professor of Political Science
Zhao Ma, Associate Professor of Modern Chinese History and Culture
Shankar Mukherji, Assistant Professor of Physics
Claudia Swan, Mark Steinberg Weil Professor of Art History & Archaeology
Chong Zu, Assistant Professor of Physics

The Research Innovation Showcase challenged me to communicate my work in a clear, accessible way—something that’s hard when you’re used to technical detail. But doing so feels more important than ever. We’re at a pivotal moment, and sharing our research with the broader public helps illustrate the real public good universities provide. Research has transformed our quality of life and being part of an event that highlights that impact was truly humbling.

― Keith Hengen, Associate Professor of Biology Finalist at Inaugural Research Innovation Showcase

Please reach out to William Acree, Vice Dean of Interdisciplinary Initiatives and Innovation, with questions about or suggestions for A&S Innovates.