Belmont was again well represented at the 37^th Annual Lilly Conference on College Teaching this November at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.  Ten Belmont faculty members–from the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, the College of Science and Mathematics, the College of Health Sciences and Nursing and the College of Visual and Performing Arts–were among the 550 conference participants.

The Lilly Conference is one of the nation’s leading conference venues for the presentation of the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL).  Faculty scholars of teaching and learning from across the United States and several international educational institutions share innovative pedagogies and have vibrant discussions about questions and challenges associated with teaching and learning.  Belmont faculty members contributed three presentations at the 2017 Lilly Conference.

“The Elephant in the Classroom: Addressing Sensitive Topics With Skill and Courage,” presented by Associate professor of Social Work Julie Hunt and Assistant Professor of Sport Science Dr. Marnie Vanden Noven, explored the teacher’s role in fostering an environment where students are safe to discuss taboo topics in meaningful, productive and potentially transformative ways. The session discussion included strategies for creating a safe space in the classroom, tuning in to individual students and class responses and the use of narratives.