For our final staff spotlight, we’re delighted to introduce you to our newest staff member. Allie Brandriet joined our team this spring as an assistant director at the Center for Teaching. 

With a background in chemistry, teaching, education research, and instructional design, Allie brings experience empowering teaching and learning excellence through evidence-based and innovative practices. She is passionate about collaborating with faculty, graduate students, and postdocs to foster a culture of evidence-based practice, continuous improvement, and innovation in teaching and learning.  

What are your primary responsibilities at the Center for Teaching? 

In my role as an assistant director with the Center for Teaching, I’m excited to be focusing on work related to TILE, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), Teaching as Research (TAR), and the use of AI in teaching and learning. 

As part of the TILE (Transform, Interact, Learn, Engage) program, I collaborate with instructors to design engaging, student-centered learning experiences in active learning classrooms. These conversations take shape through the TILE enablement process, where we will work together to align the use of classroom features, such as movable chairs, round tables, whiteboards, or technology, with the learning goals of the course. I’m particularly interested in helping instructors explore strategies that foster interaction and collaborative learning. 

My work also involves contributing to our Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) and Teaching as Research (TAR) programs. With a background in education research, I love engaging in teaching and learning inquiry and helping others do the same. I’m excited to work with faculty and graduate students who are curious about their teaching, by helping them explore meaningful questions, identify appropriate SoTL methods, and brainstorming how to share their findings through publications, presentations, or beyond. 

Another growing area of interest is artificial intelligence (AI) in teaching and learning. I believe generative AI has the potential to be a powerful tool when used ethically and responsibly. I’m interested in partnering with instructors to brainstorm how AI might be used (or thoughtfully restricted when necessary) in ways that align with their learning goals. That includes asking: What aspects of learning and assessment should remain strictly human? How do we communicate appropriate AI use to students? How might we redesign our assignments to emphasize the learning process over a final product (that may ultimately be generated by AI)? These are big questions, and I’m eager to explore them with instructors, my colleagues at the Center for Teaching, and other campus partners.  

What kind of consultations do you do most often? 

I am excited about consulting on topics related to TILE and active learning classroom engagement, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), Teaching as Research (TAR), and the thoughtful use of AI in teaching and learning.  

Additionally, drawing on my background in instructional design, I am always excited to work with instructors to design courses using a backward design approach, including crafting clear, measurable learning objectives, as well as developing assessments and learning activities that align closely with those goals. 

What are your scholarly areas of interest? 

My scholarly interests span several areas, including chemistry education, assessment development, instructional design, and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). Across these topics, I’m especially interested in how thoughtful design (whether it’s designing a course, an assessment, or study) can support meaningful reflection into teaching and learning. 

I've also been exploring the role of generative AI in higher education, particularly how these tools can be integrated into teaching and learning in intentional and ethical ways. I'm currently co-authoring a book chapter that examines the use of an AI chatbot in a university-level course, with a focus on its pedagogical implications. 

More recently, I’ve become interested in the growing body of work in the Scholarship of Educational Development (SoED). I’m especially drawn to research that offers practical, evidence-based strategies I can use to strengthen my own educational development practices and better support the instructors I work with. 

What is your favorite part about working at the Center for Teaching? 

One of my favorite parts about working at the Center for Teaching is learning how different colleges, departments, and disciplines approach teaching and learning. Each unit brings its own culture, values, and ways of thinking about education, and I find it fascinating to learn how those perspectives shape classroom practices and policies. It’s exciting to work with instructors across campus and see the many thoughtful, creative ways they support student learning within their own contexts. 

Where is your favorite place to eat in Iowa City? 

Indian food is my favorite—the spicier the better! I really like Masala Indian Cuisine in downtown Iowa City, but I’m still new to the area and excited to explore what other Indian restaurants (and beyond) the area has to offer. I welcome your recommendations! 

What are your hobbies, interests, or special talents? What do you do for fun? 

I love spending time with my kids and family. We’re really enjoying exploring the Iowa City area and getting to know our new environment. I also care for six miniature phalaenopsis orchids that I’m especially proud of. A few of them have been blooming since January, and I’m thrilled they survived our move across the country in cardboard boxes! 

Learn more about setting up a consultation with Allie or any of the other Center for Teaching staff here.