About this program

There is an urgent need to incorporate the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) in professional and graduate pharmacology education and training. Faculty, students, professional organizations, and job sectors nationwide are increasing emphasis on enhanced and IDEA-enabled education. However, it can be challenging to design, implement, and assess IDEA principles within pharmacology education. In response to these needs, ASPET is launching a national competitive certificate program for faculty interested in embedding IDEA principles into their classrooms and instruction.

The ASPET IDEA Faculty Scholars Program will start in November 2024. The application cycle for the inaugural certificate program closes on Tuesday, October 15^th, 2024. The program is free of charge to ASPET members but capacity is limited. The ASPET IDEA Scholars program is conceived and coordinated by the ASPET IDEA Committee.

Format

This program is designed as a community of scholars consisting of a 4-part series of two-hour-long webinars on select topics showcasing the incorporation of IDEA elements in syllabi design, instructional design, and classroom and laboratory teaching. The first hour of each webinar will be a presentation by an invited expert followed by an hour of breakout sessions where the expert will work with teams of participants to help them learn how to incorporate the discussed elements into their ongoing work. Participants will be encouraged to bring with them their ongoing work such as a syllabus they may be developing for a future course or other practical challenges they may be facing in the laboratory space, etc.

Who should apply?

ASPET members who want to incorporate principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility into their classroom teaching and laboratory research practices should apply. Department chairs are encouraged to share this opportunity with their faculty.

Application process

Applicants will submit a short statement of interest, a summary of goals for participating, and their Curriculum Vitae.

Deadline for applications

Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 11:59 PM EST

Program sessions

Participants will be required to attend the following sessions. Please note that each session is 2 hours in duration.

1) Designing your Course Syllabus using Principles of Psychological Safety and Competency-Based Tools to Promote Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Belonging (IDEAB)

Gayle A. Brazeau, PhD, Marshall University School of Pharmacy, Editor – American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education

Thursday, November 14, 2024, 1:00 – 3:00 PM EST

2) Universal Design for Learning and the Ability Spectrum: Strategies to Diversify Your Teaching for Neurodiverse Learners and Learners with Differential Abilities

Ashim Malhotra, PhD, FAPE, Assistant VP and Professor, California Northstate University

Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 1:00 – 3:00 PM EST

3) Strategies to Augment Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Belonging (IDEAB) Principles in Laboratory Settings

Michelle A. Clark, PhD, Professor and Dean, Nova Southeastern University Barry and Judy Silverman College of Pharmacy

Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 3:00 – 5:00 PM EST

4) Incorporating Evidence-based IDEAB Principles: The Data and Learning Theories That Support Them

Jayne S. Reuben, PhD, Texas A&M University College of Dentistry and Monzurul A. Roni, PhD, University of Illinois College of Medicine

Thursday, February 13, 2025, 1:00 – 3:00 PM EST

Certificate of completion

Participants are required to attend all four sessions. After the sessions have concluded, participants will present a short document or a PowerPoint demonstrating their plan for incorporating IDEA principles in their syllabus design, instructional design, or the use of technology tools to achieve the same. These presentations will be scheduled for the late February-early March 2025 timeframe.

Recognition at ASPET 2025

Participants receiving a certificate of completion will be recognized during the ASPET 2025 Annual Meeting in Portland, Ore., April 3-6, 2025.

How to Apply

Access the Awards and Applications Portal HERE

Click "Enter Now" and log in with your ASPET membership credentials 

Click on ASPET IDEA Faculty Scholars Program to apply

Not a member of ASPET? It's easy to join! Apply for membership here. 

Contact

If you have questions about this program, please contact Ashim Malhotra, PhD, Chair of the ASPET IDEA Committee (ashim.malhotra@cnsu.edu).