Why apply to the PIT Fellows Program?

The PIT Faculty Fellowship program brings together faculty from every college and school across campus and to create PIT-focused content and community for public interest-focused, interdisciplinary, tech-enabled pedagogy and research. PIT Fellowship cohorts from across campus get to know one another and support one another’s research and teaching, creating a fertile, creative, interdisciplinary environment in which to expand the depth and breadth of their work.

Each year the theme of the fellowship address an important area for growth for the PIT@UMass initiative. (Read about each year’s fellows and projects at the links below.)

• PIT Curriculum Development (Year 1)
• Integrative PIT Research (Year 2)
• PIT Certificate Capstone and Course Development (Year 3)
• Responsible AI (Year 4)
• AI and Future of Work (this coming year, 2026-2027).

Fellow’s research, writing, or course development and content typically promotes Public Interest Technology and responsible AI by:

• Addressing complex “real-world” problems with public interest impacts (privacy, safety, security, equity, sustainability, ethical behavior, etc.)
• Involving the responsible use of information technologies
• Reducing cultural, economic, societal and other disparities

PIT Fellows are expected to:

• Meet as a cohort monthly where they can share and discuss their work
• Give a presentation on their work in progress as part of the PIT Fellows monthly meetings
• Attend all presentations and lunches
• Participate in groups to plan and host meetings for Visiting Speakers
• Provide a brief final report to be summarized for the PIT@UMass website describing their work as a Fellow

Who is eligible?

• Full-time tenure track faculty from any UMass Amherst school or college
• Full-time non-tenure track faculty who are on continuing appointments from any UMass Amherst school or college
• (For faculty who are developing curriculum) Ability to teach your course within the UMass Amherst curriculum

Selection criteria

• Quality of proposal and project objectives
• Alignment of project with Responsible AI and Public Interest Technology
• Appropriateness of budget

Look Out for the Call for Faculty Fellow Applications in the Spring Semester of Each Year!