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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Sep
26
Navigating Difficult Conversations: A Workshop on Dialogue Facilitation 2:00pm
Navigating Difficult Conversations: A Workshop on Dialogue Facilitation
Tuesday, September 26th, 2023
02:00 PM - 04:00 PM
The Dodd Center for Human Rights
Do you avoid difficult but important conversations? Have you wondered how to navigate a conversation that could be polarizing? Are you interested in gaining skills for engaging in meaningful dialogue with people who think differently from you? Join us for an immersive training experience, where you will
• Elevate your facilitation skills to become an invaluable leader in guiding “difficult” discussions;
• Develop expertise in fostering collaboration and mutual understanding through structured dialogue;
• Explore proven methods for maintaining, and engaging in productive conversations.
This event is hosted by the Democracy & Dialogues Initiative, a program of Dodd Human Rights Impact.
Contact Information: Saah Agyemang Badu, Graduate Assistant
Democracy & Dialogues Initiative, Gladstein Family Human Rights InstituteMore -
Sep
26
Pet Therapy 5:00pm
Pet Therapy
Tuesday, September 26th, 2023
05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Cordial Storrs House
SHaW is hosting Pet Therapy every Tuesday from 5pm - 7pm at the Cordial Storrs House.
Stop by for some pet therapy love!We’ve also partnered with the The Benton to host Pet Therapy every first Thursday of the month!
Join us in The Benton from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.Please note that Pet Therapy is provided on a volunteer basis. We cannot guarantee that dogs will be present the entire time.
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Sep
27
Social Psychology Speaker Series 2:00pm
Social Psychology Speaker Series
Wednesday, September 27th, 2023
02:00 PM - 03:15 PM
Bousfield Building
Dr. Flora Oswald, University of Connecticut
Social perceptions and experiences among marginalized group members: Implications for intergroup disparities
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Sep
28
Become a Teacher in One Year (Info Session) 6:00pm
Become a Teacher in One Year (Info Session)
Thursday, September 28th, 2023
06:00 PM - 07:00 PM
UConn Waterbury
Contact Information:
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Sep
29
Linguistics Colloquium Series 2:00pm
Linguistics Colloquium Series
Friday, September 29th, 2023
02:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Online
Philippe Schlenker
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Sep
29
Funding Your Creative Projects 3:00pm
Funding Your Creative Projects
Friday, September 29th, 2023
03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Art Building
Are you looking for funding to support an artistic or creative endeavor? Join us to learn about funding available through the Office of Undergraduate Research, including:
- UConn IDEA Grants
- SURF Awards
- Change Grants
- OUR Supply Awards, Research Travel Awards, and Conference Presentation Awards
Undergraduates from all majors who are engaging in artistic and creative projects are encouraged to attend!
Learn more about these programs at ugradresearch.uconn.edu
If you require an accommodation to participate in this session, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Research at our@uconn.edu at least one week prior to the workshop.
Contact Information:
Melissa Berkey, Office of Undergraduate Research, melissa.berkey@uconn.edu
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Oct
2
HESA Information Session (For International Students) 4:00pm
HESA Information Session (For International Students)
Monday, October 2nd, 2023
04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Virtual
UConn’s Higher Education and Student Affairs Program (HESA), housed in the Neag School, is hosting virtual information sessions. Participants will hear from HESA faculty, students, staff, and assistantship supervisors. RSVP to http://s.uconn.edu/HESA2023InfoSessions
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Oct
2
Become a School Leader (UCAPP Virtual Info Session) 4:00pm
Become a School Leader (UCAPP Virtual Info Session)
Monday, October 2nd, 2023
04:00 PM - 05:30 PM
Virtual
For Connecticut educators aspiring to advance their careers and serve in roles as assistant principals, principals, or district-level administrators, the University of Connecticut Administrator Preparation Program (UCAPP) offers an educational leadership program through the Neag School of Education designed to prepare qualified and capable school leaders for all Connecticut schools.
Graduates are awarded a Sixth-Year Diploma in educational administration and are eligible for the (092) certification endorsement as an intermediate administrator in the state of Connecticut. -
Oct
3
Pet Therapy 5:00pm
Pet Therapy
Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023
05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Cordial Storrs House
SHaW is hosting Pet Therapy every Tuesday from 5pm - 7pm at the Cordial Storrs House.
Stop by for some pet therapy love!We’ve also partnered with the The Benton to host Pet Therapy every first Thursday of the month!
Join us in The Benton from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.Please note that Pet Therapy is provided on a volunteer basis. We cannot guarantee that dogs will be present the entire time.
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Oct
3
Become a Teacher in One Year (Info Session) 6:00pm
Become a Teacher in One Year (Info Session)
Tuesday, October 3rd, 2023
06:00 PM - 07:00 PM
UConn Avery Point
Contact Information:
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Oct
4
Become a School Leader (UCAPP Virtual Info Session) 4:00pm
Become a School Leader (UCAPP Virtual Info Session)
Wednesday, October 4th, 2023
04:00 PM - 05:30 PM
Virtual
For Connecticut educators aspiring to advance their careers and serve in roles as assistant principals, principals, or district-level administrators, the University of Connecticut Administrator Preparation Program (UCAPP) offers an educational leadership program through the Neag School of Education designed to prepare qualified and capable school leaders for all Connecticut schools.
Graduates are awarded a Sixth-Year Diploma in educational administration and are eligible for the (092) certification endorsement as an intermediate administrator in the state of Connecticut. -
Oct
5
Millikan Fest All Day
Millikan Fest
Thursday, October 5th, 2023
All Day
UConn Foundation
A celebration of Millikan’s groundbreaking contributions to philosophy and the 40th anniversary of her seminal book Language, Thought, and Other Biological Categories (LTOBC) bringing together researchers from a variety of disciplines - philosophy, linguistics, psychology, anthropology, and biology - to engage both critically and creatively with Millikan’s work. Registration form is here: https://ecomresearchgroup.com/millikanfest/
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Oct
5
Become a Teacher in One Year (Virtual Info Session) 6:00pm
Become a Teacher in One Year (Virtual Info Session)
Thursday, October 5th, 2023
06:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Virtual
Contact Information:
More -
Oct
6
Millikan Fest All Day
Millikan Fest
Friday, October 6th, 2023
All Day
UConn Foundation
A celebration of Millikan’s groundbreaking contributions to philosophy and the 40th anniversary of her seminal book Language, Thought, and Other Biological Categories (LTOBC) bringing together researchers from a variety of disciplines - philosophy, linguistics, psychology, anthropology, and biology - to engage both critically and creatively with Millikan’s work. Registration form is here: https://ecomresearchgroup.com/millikanfest/
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Oct
9
Accelerate UConn (NSF I-Corps) Application Deadline All Day
Accelerate UConn (NSF I-Corps) Application Deadline
Monday, October 9th, 2023
All Day
Accelerate UConn is UConn’s National Science Foundation (NSF) Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Site and its mission is to catalyze the transition of new scientific discoveries and capabilities from the lab to the marketplace. Participating teams will receive an introduction to the most critical elements of the I-Corps Curriculum and Lean Launchpad methodology. Over the course of this virtual 5-week program, teams will learn how to determine the market opportunity for their product or technology.
Participants will learn how to:
- Develop new ways to communicate the value of their product or technology
- Understand the structure of the market they are entering
- Develop strategies for generating demand for their product or technology
- Identify next steps needed to launch their venture
- Identify customers most likely to bring first revenueTeams will receive:
- 5 weeks of training on the Business Model Canvas and Customer Discovery Process
- Coaching from industry experts and access to next step resources
- $2,000 to support customer discovery and development of minimum viable product
- Assistance identifying additional team membersApplications for the Fall 2023 cohort will close on Monday, October 9, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.
For more information and to apply please visit: https://ccei.uconn.edu/programs/accelerate-uconn/
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Oct
10
Become a School Leader (UCAPP Virtual Info Session) 4:00pm
Become a School Leader (UCAPP Virtual Info Session)
Tuesday, October 10th, 2023
04:00 PM - 05:30 PM
Virtual
For Connecticut educators aspiring to advance their careers and serve in roles as assistant principals, principals, or district-level administrators, the University of Connecticut Administrator Preparation Program (UCAPP) offers an educational leadership program through the Neag School of Education designed to prepare qualified and capable school leaders for all Connecticut schools.
Graduates are awarded a Sixth-Year Diploma in educational administration and are eligible for the (092) certification endorsement as an intermediate administrator in the state of Connecticut.
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