About

The Graduate School’s Future Faculty and Academic Careers office, formerly CIRTL at Cornell, prepares graduate students and postdoctoral scholars for a wide range of academic careers, with emphasis in several areas:

  • Evidence-based practice of teaching (teaching as research), including assessing student learning
  • Inclusive classrooms, research, and learning environments (learning through diversity)
  • Effective mentorship of undergraduate researchers, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars

We promote learning communities composed of graduate students, postdocs, faculty, and staff to share best practices in teaching, research mentorship, career development, and broadening participation in higher education.

Cornell University is one of 40+ research universities collaborating through the national Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL) Network to provide high-quality professional development for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, locally and online. Originally part of an NSF grant, at Cornell our office has expanded and develops programs to advance higher education by preparing aspiring faculty who are capable of integrating superb research with excellence in teaching.

All graduate students and postdoctoral scholars are welcome to participate in our local programming. Some events offered through the CIRTL Network target science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields (i.e., STEM fields, which includes social, behavioral, and economic sciences and the study of STEM education). Most CIRTL Network events are also available to recent alumni and interested faculty and staff.

Signature programs:
  • Academic job search programming
  • Local workshops on teaching and research mentoring
  • In-person and online graduate courses
  • Online workshops
  • Visiting speakers and symposia
  • Funding and conference travel opportunities
  • CIRTL Network Exchange visits
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