2024-25 Playful Pedagogy Fellowship

Exploring and Applying Arts-Based Activities in Undergraduate Courses across Disciplines

The Duke University Language, Arts, and Media Program (LAMP), in association with the Thompson Writing Program (TWP), is now accepting applications for the 2024-25 Playful Pedagogy Fellowship. This fellowship offers a small group of faculty from across disciplines a year-long opportunity to deepen and broaden the practice of applying the arts to a variety of learning outcomes. Dr. Nan Mullenneaux, TWP Senior Program Coordinator for LAMP, will facilitate monthly, two-hour, in-person interactive workshops and one virtual zoom workshop from September 2024 through May 2025. Fellows will explore how activities based on improvisation, theater games, creative writing, art, movement, and music can enhance their courses and curricula. In each session participants will play a variety of arts-based games and then explore how these exercises can be applied to their specific classes. Fellows can also expect to enjoy the energizing and restorative effects of creative play. The year will culminate in a Playful Pedagogy workshop (90 minutes) designed and facilitated by the fellows.
 

Infusing arts- and play-based pedagogy into courses, across disciplines, can:

• Increase critical thinking and deepen intellectual inquiry
• Enhance retention of course material
• Help faculty and students navigate sensitive topics
• Communicate concepts more clearly
• Aid connection, collaboration, and community building
• Help faculty assess student understanding
• Encourage risk-taking for students and faculty
• Frame feedback in more productive ways
• Promote emotional resilience for students and faculty
• Increase students’ ability to focus
• Enliven and energize classroom dynamics

No arts or performance background needed. All activities are geared for the beginner as well as the experienced “artist.” 

Playful Pedagogy Fellows are expected to attend monthly, in person, two-hour sessions that will be scheduled at a mutually agreeable time.

Each Fellow will receive a $1000 honorarium into their professional development/research accounts. This can be used for materials and/or as a stipend to recognize participation.

Application:

Please send a 250-word statement of interest to Michelle Gregersen, TWP Program Coordinator, that includes your title, department/unit, and undergraduate teaching plan for 2024-25, and which describes:

• any creative activities you already use or would consider using in your undergraduate courses;
• how the Playful Pedagogy Fellowship might address any course/pedagogical problems/challenges; and
• how the Playful Pedagogy Fellowship might support your undergraduate teaching goals and teaching philosophy.

Application Deadline: 20 August 2024, 5:00 p.m.

Eligibility: Duke faculty of any rank who are teaching one or more undergraduate classes during the 2024-25 academic year.