We partner with other units of the University in support of instructional improvement, student well-being, and inclusiveness and we collaborate with schools and departments in building faculties and research resources.
Bridge Center: The CMU-Pitt Brain Imaging Data Generation & Education (BRIDGE) Center is a cutting-edge, collaborative MRI facility that is jointly operated by the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) designed exclusively to support basic science research and the next generation of brain scientists. Learn more about the Bridge Center.
Discipline-Based Education Research Center (dB-SERC): LRDC researchers work with faculty members in all Natural Sciences departments to create a community to improve teaching and learning through evidence-based practices for more effective teaching and learning strategies. Learn more about Discipline-Based Education Research Center (dB-SERC).
University Center for Teaching and Learning (UCTL): LRDC senior scientists, postdoctoral researchers, and Teaching Center staff collaborate on projects focusing on educational technology, online learning, active learning, and high enrollment classes. Learn more about University Center for Teaching and Learning (UCTL).
The Student Success Action Research Collaborative (SSARC), a joint initiative between the Office of the Provost and LRDC, is building a shared understanding of what works in student success at Pitt. If you've designed or piloted an intervention, course redesign, or advising innovation, we'd love to learn from your work and help it gain broader recognition across the university. We're also looking for faculty interested in collaborating on new research-practice partnerships through SSARC. Please take three minutes to share your interest and experience using this form.
Course Incubator: LRDC has partnered with the Teacher Center to conduct research and quality improvement studies on innovative teaching practices in higher education. A particular area of focus has been the Course Incubator, launched in 2018 with projects in three departments - Biology, Chemistry, and Economics. The goal of the projects is to increase student engagement by incorporating active learning strategies and improve learning gains.
Law: Faculty use natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML) techniques to evaluate hypotheses about systemic aspects of court decisions on social issues involving racism, gender equality, immigration, public health, crime, and education.
Medicine: LRDC faculty are working with the American Board of Internal medicine, American Board of Family Medicine, and American Boards of Medical Specialties on their new assessments of physicians.
Community Engagement Centers (CEC): LRDC faculty participate in the University of Pittsburgh's recent CEC initiative to identify ways faculty research and teaching can benefit the surrounding economically depressed communities of the city.
Neighborhood Resilience Project (NRP): LRDC faculty contribute to the NRP in Pittsburgh's Hill District, working hand in hand with community members and community groups to implement what is called Trauma-Informed Community Development. This framework focuses on Health and Wellbeing, Opportunity Making, Placemaking, and Engaging Influencers ("HOPE Plans").