Expanding Campus Peer-to-Peer Teaching & Learning: The Peer Scholars Program

In response to a growing need for training in advanced research and professional workplace skills, a team of research librarians at the NC State University Libraries have developed a platform to engage and enhance the expertise of early-career researchers on campus. The Peer Scholars Program offers graduate students and postdoctoral scholars a paid practical experience in creating and delivering effective instruction on core and emerging research skills to their peers. Participants are invited to suggest topics for library talks or workshops and partner with research librarians to develop and deliver interactive and engaging sessions in an informal teaching setting. Topics have ranged from advanced skills in data science and computer programming to strategies for communicating research in various environments and navigating professional experiences. In collaboration with the Graduate School, the program’s offerings have greatly expanded the volume and nature of early-career researcher professional development opportunities at NC State over the last two years. In addition to scaling library-hosted workshop offerings, the program continues to build a community of practice around peer-to-peer teaching and learning on campus. The Peer Scholars Program provides valuable opportunities for participants to publically present their expertise, engage audiences with a variety of classroom technologies and in high-tech spaces, and gain teaching experience before going out into the job market