Annual Learning Analytics Fellowship
Launching in 2026, the Learning Analytics Fellowships are designed to leverage NLU’s rich and growing data resources to deepen our understanding of student learning and success. NLU has extensive existing data related to our most important priorities, including student learning outcomes, the impact of instructional strategies, and the use and effectiveness of student supports. In addition, the RETAIN platform provides an exciting new source of learning analytics data for inquiry and innovation.
This fellowship pathway invites faculty members to join a shared, institutionally supported inquiry using learning analytics data. Each project will be led by faculty and/or staff with deep expertise in quantitative analysis and institutional data. These project leaders will develop the research questions, identify and prepare data sources, and complete the IRB process as appropriate.
Participating faculty will join an established research team and receive mentored support in interpreting findings and translating results into insights that inform teaching, learning, and institutional practice. Fellows will support proposals for presentations at U.S.-based sessions of the annual conference of SOLAR (Society for Learning Analytics Research), and/or potential submissions to Journal of Learning Analytics, sponsored by SOLAR.
Learning Analytics Fellowships are awarded for a full academic year, with each project supporting up to three fellows.
In Academic Year 2026–27, the fellowship will focus on RETAIN data, with the project led by members of LITS.
Structure, Funding and Application Process
Structure
Time on the fellowship is equated to 1 SH/1.5 QH over an academic year.
Fellowship schedule
June: Notification of Fellowship award
September: Kickoff meeting with all project team members
September - March: Bi-weekly meetings to examine and interpret data
October - November: Potential preparation of submission for poster at SOLAR conference
April - June: Preparation of project report and potential poster presentation at SOLAR conference and/or preparation of submission to Journal of Learning Analytics or full presentation proposal for SOLAR conference in following academic year
Funding
Fellows receive a $1,000 stipend, paid in the summer term following the Fellowship year.
For the costs of conference travel, faculty members may use their allotted professional development funds and may apply for further funding from the Provost Office Supplemental Fund for conference dissemination.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
All full-time and active adjunct faculty are eligible.
Selection criteria focuses on:
- Clear indication of interest in understanding student outcomes
- Clear statement of purpose in being a Learning Analytics Fellow
For AY26-27 awards, applications will be reviewed by the Provost Office and LITS.
