Introducing SHIFT: A New Program to Advance Human-Centered Design in Teaching
Introducing SHIFT:
A New Program to Advance Human-Centered Design in Teaching
Introducing SHIFT
The Siebel Center for Design (SCD) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, in partnership with the Illinois Innovation Network (IIN), has launched the Scholars in Human-Centered, Innovative, and Forward-thinking Teaching (SHIFT) Program. This exciting new initiative is designed to equip educators with the skills, tools, and resources to integrate Human-Centered Design (HCD) into their teaching and courses, expanding the impact of HCD beyond UIUC.
The inaugural cohort, which kicked off on Saturday, January 25, brings together a diverse group of scholars from institutions across Illinois, including:
- Governors State University
- Western Illinois University
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- University of Illinois Springfield
- Eastern Illinois University
- Illinois State University
Participants represent a broad range of academic disciplines, such as Education, Graphic Design, Anthropology and Sociology, Rural Affairs, Innovation, and Public Administration. This diverse mix of perspectives fosters rich discussions on how HCD can enhance pedagogy across multiple fields.
Why Scholars Joined SHIFT
Participants are eager to explore the integration of HCD into their teaching and professional work. Many are interested in enhancing student engagement, applying design thinking to community-based initiatives, and developing new methods for innovative problem-solving.
As one scholar shared, "I am excited to learn about this approach and apply it to my courses to foster more creative, student-driven learning experiences." Another participant emphasized, "We do community engagement and social innovation work, and I see HCD as a powerful tool to deepen our impact."
The 14-week program consists of virtual workshops, interactive checkpoints, and an immersive gathering at SCD. Scholars will collaborate on developing HCD curricula, culminating in the creation of workshops, courses, or programs tailored to their teaching environments.
As the SHIFT program gains momentum, it will build a community of educators committed to transforming learning through Human-Centered Design. We look forward to seeing the innovative ways this cohort applies HCD in their classrooms and beyond!
If you are interested in participating in the next SHIFT cohort, please reach out to SCD's Director Rachel Switzky at rswitzky@illinois.edu to learn more!