Welcome to SLAC (Science of Learning & Art of Communication). The National Science Foundation has awarded our interdisciplinary group of UConn researchers a five-year grant, “The science of learning, from neurobiology to real-world application: A problem-based approach.” We aim to develop transformative models for graduate education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, training 50 students (including 25 Ph.D. fellows).The “Science of Learning and Art of Communication,” or SLAC, draws on subfields of cognitive science and neuroscience: genetics, behavioral neuroscience, linguistics, education, psychology, and speech-language-hearing sciences. See more
We would like to begin by acknowledging that the land on which we gather is the territory of the Mohegan, Mashantucket Pequot, Eastern Pequot, Schaghticoke, Golden Hill Paugussett, Nipmuc, and Lenape Peoples, who have stewarded this land throughout the generations. We thank them for their strength and resilience in protecting this land, and aspire to uphold our responsibilities according to their example. From https://nacp.uconn.edu/land-acknowledgement/
Welcome new SLAC Fellow and Associate Trainees 2022-2023
Hayes Brenner, Renee Chasse, Anne Marie Crinnion, Shawn Cummings, Sarah Gilmore, Kaya LeGrand, Jie Luo, Joselyn Perez, Jennifer Richardson, Naomi Sellers, Kristin Simmers, Susan Tilbury, Gray Thomas, & Tyler Wrenn


































































































Events
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Mar
25
CWP Teacher-as-Writer Workshop10:00am
CWP Teacher-as-Writer Workshop
Saturday, March 25th, 2023
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Storrs Campus Stern Lounge, Austin Bldg
Come share your work in an informal, welcoming and constructive gathering with fellow writers- all genres welcome!!
Teacher-as-Writer Workshops are monthly gatherings for Teacher Consultants and other Connecticut teachers who wish to share and receive feedback on their writing. We also hold writing retreats in the fall and the spring.
The writing workshops are held by the Connecticut Writing Project on the UConn, Storrs campus from 10am to 12pm in the Stern Lounge on the second floor of the Austin Building.Contact Information: dpieratti@swindsor.k12.ct.us
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Mar
25
Local News Job & Internship Fair on March 2510:00am
Local News Job & Internship Fair on March 25
Saturday, March 25th, 2023
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Storrs Campus OAK 408
UConn Journalism will host a Local News Job & Internship Fair on Saturday, March 25.
WHERE: UConn Storrs Campus, Oak Hall, Fourth Floor North near OAK 408
WHEN: Saturday, March 25 from 10 a.m. to noon.
WHY: UConn Journalism is committed to strengthening the local news landscape in Connecticut and the region. We want to help connect local newsrooms with aspiring, well-trained young journalists.
We know that strong local journalism builds social cohesion, encourages political participation, educates and empowers people. Local journalists inform and guard the public they serve. Local news helps us see, know, care about and understand our communities. It drives conversations and serves as the public record.
WHO: This event is co-hosted by our new UConn student chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. It is open to college journalism students in Connecticut, especially seniors graduating in May 2023.
Confirmed participants include WTNH-TV, Fox61, WFSB News, Hartford Courant, The Day, The Connecticut Mirror, Record-Journal, Journal Inquirer, Connecticut Examiner and Western Mass News.
REGISTER: http://s.uconn.edu/journalismjobfairContact Information: journalism@uconn.edu
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Mar
27
Build Quantitative Research & Evaluation Skills Online!12:00am
Build Quantitative Research & Evaluation Skills Online!
Monday, March 27th, 2023
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Storrs Campus Online
Looking to be more competitive on the job market? Graduating and don't know what to do next? Want skills you can use at school, at work, AND in your everyday life? Check out UConn's Research Methods, Measurement, & Evaluation (RMME) Programs! Now accepting applications to the 100% Online RMME Master's degree program and the 100% Online Graduate Certificate in Program Evaluation program! The application deadline for Fall 2023 enrollment is June 16th. For more information, visit: https://rmme.education.uconn.edu/Contact Information: Dr. Sarah D. Newton, methods@uconn.edu
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Mar
27
Build Quantitative Research & Evaluation Skills Online!12:00am
Build Quantitative Research & Evaluation Skills Online!
Monday, March 27th, 2023
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Storrs Campus, Storrs Campus Online
Looking to be more competitive on the job market? Graduating and don't know what to do next? Want skills you can use at school, at work, AND in your everyday life? Check out UConn's Research Methods, Measurement, & Evaluation (RMME) Programs! Now accepting applications to the 100% Online RMME Master's degree program and the 100% Online Graduate Certificate in Program Evaluation program! The application deadline for Fall 2023 enrollment is June 16th. For more information, visit: https://rmme.education.uconn.edu/Contact Information: Dr. Sarah D. Newton, methods@uconn.edu
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Mar
27
CWP Summer Institutte Application Deadline12:00am
CWP Summer Institutte Application Deadline
Monday, March 27th, 2023
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Storrs Campus Austin 161
Contact Information: jason.courtmanche@uconn.edu
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Mar
27
Jane Wu: The Visionary Leadership of Minority Women in Animation5:30pm
Jane Wu: The Visionary Leadership of Minority Women in Animation
Monday, March 27th, 2023
05:30 PM - 06:30 PM
Storrs Campus Bishop 146 + online
The Visionary Leadership of Minority Women in Animation
Jane Wu, Creative Director at Hero4Hire
Monday, March 27, 2023, 5:30 PM EDT
Storrs - Bishop Center, room 146 or
via YouTube Live
The narrative that permeates society is often dictated by those in positions of authority, typically a white, able-bodied, cisgender male at the top of the hierarchy. Within the context of our discourse, we shall delve into the obstacles that Jane encountered on her path to achieving the esteemed position of Creative Director, and examine how she overcame these challenges with unwavering perseverance. She believes the ability to shape culture represents the key to engendering a more equitable society, particularly for those who are marginalized and underrepresented.
About the Speaker:
Jane Wu is a Creative Director at Hero4Hire [ https://www.h4h.studio/ ], an Emmy nominated full-service production animation studio. Jane is a first generation Asian American director, artist, dog mom & native New Yorker. She has worked in the motion design industry for over 13 years for commercial, broadcast, documentary films and TV shows including "What We Do in the Shadows," HBO’s “Our Flag Means Death,” Emmy nominated "Women of the Movement: Mamie Till-Mobley," and PBS documentary film, “Rising Against Asian Hate.” She is actively involved with Rise Up Animation as a mentor. She has won several awards for her own animated short film, "Book Girl & Cabinet Girl.”
This event is brought to you by UConn’s Department of Digital Media & Design in partnership with:
UConn’s Asian American Cultural Center (AsACC).
FOR MORE INFO AND TO REGISTER: https://dmd.uconn.edu/major/diverse-perspectives/dp-jane-wu/Contact Information: Marcelle Vertefeuille digitalmedia@uconn.edu
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Mar
28
Neuroscience RIP Talk - Yao12:00pm
Neuroscience RIP Talk - Yao
Tuesday, March 28th, 2023
12:00 PM - 01:30 PM
UConn Health Low Learning Center
Research in Progress Talk
"The Role of Beta-Secretase in Excitatory Neuronal Function, Behavior, and Cognition."
Presenter: Annie Yao, Yan LabContact Information: Shannon Mancini, shmancini@uchc.edu
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Mar
28
Music Ed Master's-Info Session7:00pm
Music Ed Master's-Info Session
Tuesday, March 28th, 2023
07:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Other Online
Master's Degree with Music Education Concentration
At UConn’s Neag School of Education, practicing music teachers can:
Complete a Master of Arts with a concentration in music education — in 18 months, or over the course of three summers.
Earn professional development credits.
Work with nationally renowned music educators, conductors, and composers.
Build collaborative and social connections with colleagues.
Learn innovative music-centered pedagogies to deliver contemporary music instruction in a diverse environment.
For more info and to RSVP for an info session, visit https://s.uconn.edu/MusicEdMastersContact Information: cara.bernard@uconn.edu
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Mar
29
Become a 2x UConn Alum!12:00am
Become a 2x UConn Alum!
Wednesday, March 29th, 2023
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Storrs Campus Online
Looking to be more competitive on the job market? Graduating and don't know what to do next? Want skills you can use at school, at work, AND in your everyday life? Check out UConn's Research Methods, Measurement, & Evaluation (RMME) Programs! Now accepting applications to the 100% Online RMME Master's degree program and the 100%-Online Graduate Certificate in Program Evaluation program! The application deadline for Fall 2023 enrollment is June 16th. For more information, visit: https://rmme.education.uconn.edu/Contact Information: Dr. Sarah D. Newton, methods@uconn.edu
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Mar
29
Neuroscience Journal Club - Busel12:00pm
Neuroscience Journal Club - Busel
Wednesday, March 29th, 2023
12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
UConn Health E4036
MEDS 6497 - Neuroscience Journal Club
"A cortico-collicular circuit for orienting to shelter during escape."
Presenter: Natan Busel
Course Co-Directors: Rosa Guzzo, guzzo@uchc.edu; Paola Bargagna-Mohan, bargagna-mohan@uchc.eduContact Information: Shannon Mancini, shmancini@uchc.edu
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Mar
29
Graduate Student Colloquium3:30pm
Graduate Student Colloquium
Wednesday, March 29th, 2023
03:30 PM - 05:00 PM
Storrs Campus A106
Spring Graduate Student Colloquium, Department of Psychological SciencesContact Information: merrisa.lin@uconn.edu
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Mar
30
ECOM Spotlight Series: Hady Ba11:00am
ECOM Spotlight Series: Hady Ba
Thursday, March 30th, 2023
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Storrs Campus, Storrs Campus Zoom
ECOM Spotlight Series will host Prof. Hady Ba who will talk about "Ideophones and Expressivism." The event will be held online. Please send an email to aliyar.ozercan@uconn.edu for the event link.Contact Information: aliyar.ozercan@uconn.edu
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Mar
30
Neuroscience Seminar Series - Cowell11:00am
Neuroscience Seminar Series - Cowell
Thursday, March 30th, 2023
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
UConn Health Low Learning Center
Sponsored by the Kim Family Fund
“Mitochondrial and Genetic Contributors to Parkinson Disease Etiology.”
Rita Cowell, PhD
Fellow and Chair, Department of Neuroscience at Southern Research, Adjunct Associate Professor at University of AlabamaContact Information: Shannon Mancini, shmancini@uchc.edu
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Mar
30
The Role of Functional and Structural Brain Imaging in Educational Neuroscience 2:00pm
The Role of Functional and Structural Brain Imaging in Educational Neuroscience
Thursday, March 30th, 2023
02:00 PM - 03:30 PM
Other, Other WebEx
The role of functional and structural brain imaging in educational neuroscience
Register: https://uconnvtc.webex.com/weblink/register/r6cafa18d68da54828c7f590e993e0e09
Michael Thomas DPhil
Birbeck University of London
The field of educational neuroscience (or mind brain and education) was effectively launched by advances in in vivo brain imaging in the 1990s, driving the emergence of multi- and trans-disciplinary approaches to understanding mechanisms of learning. In this talk, I review how brain imaging is currently used and viewed in this inherently translational field. Approaches range from basic cognitive neuroscience of education-relevant abilities, to proposed diagnostic tools for neurodevelopmental conditions, to tests of cognitive models, to supporting construct validity, and to providing evidence for policy impact. These approaches are set in the context of contrasting views of educators to neuroscience (e.g., suspicion reflected in claims for the ‘seductive allure of neuroscience’; over-enthusiasm in the form of neuromyths; and resistance to reductionist accounts of learning). I will illustrate these arguments with examples from some of our work on developmental changes in intelligence, the brain basis of reading, and interventions to improve children’s learning of counter-intuitive concepts in math and science.Contact Information: birc@uconn.edu
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Mar
31
Annual Logic Lecture: Maria Aloni (ILLC, Amsterdam)2:00pm
Annual Logic Lecture: Maria Aloni (ILLC, Amsterdam)
Friday, March 31st, 2023
02:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Storrs Campus Zoom
Join us for the Annual Logic Lecture, given by the UConn Logic Group 2022/23 Scholar of Consequence:
Maria Aloni (ILLC, Amsterdam)
Details t.b.a.
https://logic.uconn.edu/annual-logic-lecture/Contact Information: logic@uconn.edu
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Mar
31
Linguistics Colloquium4:00pm
Linguistics Colloquium
Friday, March 31st, 2023
04:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Storrs Campus Oak 112
Mark BakerContact Information: Zixi Liu, zixi.liu@uconn.edu
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Happenings
Check out Betsy McCoach's interview for a recent episode of Science Goes to the Movies (a CUNY TV show). The episode “Gifted Children and Other Superheroes” is at (263) Gifted Children and other Superheroes | Science Goes to the Movies - YouTube
Congratulations to Kelly Mahaffy for receiving the 2022 BIRC Excellence Award.
Congratulations to Fumiko Hoeft, Nicole Landi, Ido Davidesco, Inge-Marie Eigsti and Jim Magnuson on a $3 Mil NSF graduate training grant. See Inside CLAS article here
Congratulations to Fumiko Hoeft, Devin Kearns and Roeland Hancock, for their plan to move to large scale evaluation of their free app for school readiness and dyslexia screening in 4- to 8-yr-olds. Information about the A.P.P.R.I.S.E. project is here.
Congratulations to Noelle Wig, who just had her first authored paper published! Ms. Wig’s publication is entitled “Matching the Mismatch: The interaction between perceptual and conceptual cues in bilinguals’ speech perception”.
Spring 2023 SLAC Courses
Courses in bold are required for current SLAC cohort, other courses are optional.
- LING 5010 or PSYC 5500 Research Seminar in Language and Cognition, Rachel Theodore & William Snyder, Talk-Shop, Mondays 12:20-1:10, Bous A106, 1 credit
- PSYC 5170-002 SICSFLAGS, archive, 1 credit
- PSYC 5170-001, Current Topics in Psychology (SLAC Practicum Seminar)
- Outreach (1 credit) either in the fall or spring - SLAC Outreach Projects - click on this link