News and Information for Ohio State Faculty
FACULTY AFFAIRS
April 2026
Six honored for distinguished teaching
Six faculty members were recently announced as 2026 Provost’s Award for Distinguished Teaching by a Lecturer recipients. The award annually recognizes a maximum of six lecturers or other associated faculty for their teaching excellence. Honorees are inducted into Ohio State’s Academy of Teaching and recognized with an honorarium made possible by the Office of Academic Affairs.
Four Ohio State scientists elected to 2025 class of AAAS Fellows
Four scientists at Ohio State have been elected to the 2025 class of American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellows. The AAAS Fellowship, recognizing scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications, is one of the most prestigious honors a U.S. scientist can receive. Fellows are elected by their academic peers.
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Faculty Affairs Leadership Podcast: Mytheli Sreenvias
Stepping into the role of department chair can be both exciting and overwhelming. In this episode, we dive into the essential insights that every chair needs to thrive with our guest, Mytheli Sreenvias, PhD, and chair of the Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. We explore the core responsibilities and challenges that come with the position, strategies for balancing leadership with academic and research commitments, and practical approaches to building a strong departmental culture.
Ohio State honors 2026 Innovators of the Year
At the Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge’s annual Research and Innovation Showcase, Luiz Meirelles (dentistry), Akshay Sood (medicine) and Hannah Myers (engineering) were named Ohio State Innovators of the Year, honoring their dedication to improving lives by commercializing their research.
10 faculty members earn Community Engaged Scholar Awards
The Community Engaged Scholar Award recognizes faculty members who have demonstrated co-created engaged scholarship that has positively impacted communities. Community Engaged Scholars have made significant contribution to Ohio State's culture of engagement, further establishing and strengthening the institution's commitment to communities.
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Anderson named 2026–27 Artist Laureate
Ohio State has selected Charles O. Anderson, professor in the Department of Dance, as its 2026–27 Artist Laureate. As Artist Laureate, Anderson will lead Croatoa: Re-Singing America’s Next 250 Years, a statewide community-authorship initiative that uses accessible creative practices to help Ohioans reflect together on shared histories and imagine collective futures.
Written in Scarlet and Gray: Faculty Author Showcase
The inaugural "Written in Scarlet and Gray: Faculty Author Showcase" event was dedicated to recognizing the intellectual contributions and creative achievements of our esteemed faculty. Taking place on April 16, the event highlighted a wide range of Ohio State faculty who wrote or edited a book that was published in 2025.
Call for applications for University Senate secretary
The University Senate is seeking applications for its next secretary, who will serve a three-year term beginning this summer. Applications should be submitted to the University Senate office via senate@osu.edu by April 27, and applicants should provide a letter outlining their qualifications and a current curriculum vitae. The applications will be shared with the Senate’s Steering Committee, which will identify three finalists and present them to President Ravi V. Bellamkonda, who will make the final appointment.
Opportunities
Register for the 2026 Academy of Teaching Conference
Each spring, the Academy of Teaching’s annual conference draws educators, instructional staff and administrators from across Ohio State to explore best practices, challenges and innovations in teaching and learning. Registration is open for this year’s event, which will be held at the Blackwell Inn and Conference Center on Monday, May 11.
Register for the Conference
Faculty Pathways 2025-26 programming
Starting out as a faculty member can be challenging, but our Faculty Pathways program is designed specifically for new and early career faculty at Ohio State to provide essential resources and development opportunities.
This program offers practical workshops and learning experiences to help you build skills in teaching, research and service. It’s also a chance to connect with other faculty members who are navigating similar stages of their academic careers. The next sessions are:
Limited Submission Opportunities
The Office of Foundation Relations manages the limited submission process for private foundation opportunities, which are listed on the Research Funding and Awards site.
Open and Upcoming Opportunities:
- Mallinckrodt Foundation Grants Program
Internal deadline: April 27; Funder deadline: July 1 - Brain Research Foundation — Scientific Innovations Award
Internal deadline: April 27; LOI deadline: June 2; Funder deadline: September 2026 - W.M. Keck Foundation (Fall Cycle) - Science and Engineering and Medical Research Program
Anticipated opening: May 1; Anticipated internal deadline: June 1; Funder deadline: August 2026 - Kinship Foundation - Searle Scholars Program
Anticipated opening: May 4; Anticipated internal deadline: June 1; Funder deadline August 2026
Early career faculty panel: Developing and Managing Program Manager Relationships
Success in securing funding often depends on networking — this is especially true when thinking about long-term relationships with federal agency partners. Learn more about Developing and Managing Program Manager Relationships in this ERIK-led panel on April 30. Join us for an informal, virtual panel-style conversation about the practicalities of developing and managing relationships with program officers.
Simple Syllabus Go-Live expected on April 23
Beta testing with a limited number of instructors and students was completed in March, and we are now making final edits in advance of making Simple Syllabus available to all instructors on April 23, the same day that Carmen Canvas becomes available for Autumn 2026 courses.
Dive into course design and AI at May's Course Design Institute
Are you designing or redesigning a course for autumn semester? Join colleagues for the May Course Design Institute. In this multi-day experience, Drake Institute staff guide participants through a backward design process that integrates evidence-based strategies and purposeful use of GenAI to design impactful courses. Sessions meet virtually via CarmenZoom on May 19, 22, 26 and 29 from 1-4:30 p.m.
Application open for the Engaged Scholars Academy
The Engaged Scholars Academy is a one-year, cohort-based leadership and professional development initiative designed for assistant professors seeking to deepen their practice of engaged scholarship. Priority consideration will be given to tenure-track faculty. Applications for the 2026-27 cohort are due May 1.
Fulbright U.S. Scholar competition now open for 2027-28
With more than 380 awards in over 130 countries, Fulbright provides exceptional opportunities for faculty to advance their research, expand international collaborations, and strengthen the global profile of their academic units. Most award applications are due Sept. 15, and U.S. citizenship is required. The Office of International Affairs offers comprehensive advising, including assistance identifying suitable awards, refining project ideas and preparing strong proposals.
On-demand training: Make your CarmenCanvas content accessible
Need quick, accessible training directly related to your teaching platform? A valuable resource is waiting for you in CarmenCanvas! Access the self-paced course, available through the CarmenCanvas help menu. This course is designed to teach you how to make your course content accessible, ensuring you're ready to meet the new accessibility standards. It’s a perfect, on-demand way to learn the skills you need for creating accessible content.
Nominations open for BTAA Academic Leadership Program
Established in 1989, the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) Academic Leadership Program is an intensive program that develops leadership and managerial skills for faculty who have demonstrated exceptional ability and academic promise. Nominated faculty should be professors or associate professors who are close to promotion and have demonstrated leadership experience and an interest in pursuing other leadership roles. Nominations for the 2026-27 cohort are due May 8 and may be submitted via email to facultyaffairs@osu.edu.
Learn More and Submit a Nomination
Current faculty and SROP alumni: Celebrate SROP’s 40th anniversary
Are you an Ohio State faculty member and an alum of the Big Ten Academic Alliance Summer Research Opportunities Program at any campus? If so, the Graduate School wants to connect with you as it plans SROP’s 40th anniversary. Faculty alumni are encouraged to contact the SROP team at gradrecruit@osu.edu
Ohio State Mentoring Initiative invites departments and programs to request mentoring workshops
The Ohio State Mentoring Initiative invites departments and programs to request Better Research Through Better Mentoring workshops for the summer or upcoming academic year. These workshops help faculty build practical mentoring skills. Use the link below to request a free, one-hour workshop. Learn more and view topics at go.osu.edu/osmi.
Join the Consortium of Summer Undergraduate Research Experiences
Faculty leading summer undergraduate research experiences are invited to join the Consortium of Undergraduate Research Experiences, now housed in the Graduate School. The consortium connects more than 10 programs and offers development workshops, social events and a research symposium. Participation is free; members commit to committee service or summer events. To join, please email gradrecruit@osu.edu with your program name and number of student participants by May 15.
Faculty Affairs events calendar
Faculty Affairs has a wide range of engaging events throughout the year. Check out the events calendar for the latest on opportunities for the 2025-26 academic year!
In the News
- Lindquist receives inaugural social affective neuroscience fellowship
- Daehn will be inducted into the 2026 Class of TMS Fellows
- Xiang recognized for leadership in injury, violence prevention research
- Engaged Scholars Academy wraps first year
- Professor honored as champion for academic quality
- Celebrating America 250: Ohio State highlights a tradition of research and innovation
- Researchers reveal new method for dialing up superconductivity
- Researchers predict melting glaciers may threaten future water security
- Getting a glimpse of viral dances in the dark in the Sargasso Sea
- Some ticks can survive from 1 to 3 weeks on home flooring