DescriptionCall for Proposals: AI Lighthouse Faculty Fellows — Lighthouse Fellows

 

Artificial intelligence is reshaping every sector of society, rewriting the way we live, work, create, and learn. Higher education has the potential to drive ethical and equitable uses of AI that will be both profound and transformative for learning and discovery. 

 

We envision an initiative that does not simply “use AI,” but instead, ethically reimagines what a liberal arts education can be in an AI-embedded world. For example: imagine a group of scholars taking on a project to visually and physically map the Harlem Renaissance through its economic, social, and cultural contexts, using AI to analyze government data, housing records, commercial transactions, artistic collaborations, and cultural expression. The outputs could include a living digital archive, a series of educational materials, interactive graphics and visualizations, imitative works of art, a simulated museum, or even immersive conversations with the thinkers and creators of that time.

 

This initiative is not about small marginal experiments—it’s about charting new territory by exploring bold, ambitious ways by which technology can enhance Hamilton’s delivery of a liberal arts education. Just as Renaissance artists and scholars blended disciplines to expand human understanding, our Lighthouse Fellows will help us discover what is possible when AI and technology broadly, is leveraged with the same creativity, rigor, and boldness with which we approach a liberal arts education at Hamilton College.

 

Sincerely,

Steven & Ngoni

 

Details of the Fellowship:

 


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Time Commitment: Three semesters total (S26, F26, & S27). Spring 26 will include a development stipend of $7500 with the following two semesters as a full release from teaching (F26 & S27). Faculty are expected to continue their normal research and service obligations during this time.



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Instructional Coverage:




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In the 2026-27 academic year, the department may employ a visiting faculty member to cover two semesters of full-time teaching responsibilities.





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Focus Areas: Proposals should demonstrate how AI can transform teaching, research, or creative practice in ways that reflect and strengthen our mission as a liberal arts institution. Interdisciplinary approaches to AI are especially encouraged.



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Support: Fellows will have access to student fellows, technology consultants, and enterprise partners to test and develop their ideas.




QualificationsEligibility
Tenure-track and tenured members of the faculty are eligible to apply.  

Selection Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated on:


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Ambition and Imagination – Does the project push beyond incremental improvements to envision new possibilities?



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Impact on Liberal Arts Education – Does the project illuminate how AI can deepen critical inquiry, creativity, collaboration, and public engagement?



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Feasibility – Can the project reasonably be developed within the fellowship period with the resources available to the College?



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Potential for Inspiration – Will the work engage students and colleagues and help foster a broader culture of exploration around AI?



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Connection to mission — Does the proposal creatively connect to the College mission and educational goals?




Application InstructionsApplication Process
Interested faculty collaborations (groups of 3-5 faculty) should submit a single proposal from the collaborative group (3–5 pages):


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 Outlining their ideas, goals, and potential outcomes.



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A statement on how the project connects to teaching and research broadly among faculty.



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An explanation of how students might be involved as collaborators.



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Any anticipated resource needs (technical, data access, partnerships, etc.).




 

Applications are due January 15, 2026. Fellows will be announced on or around February 1, 2026.
Equal Employment Opportunity StatementHamilton College is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity employer and encourages diversity in all areas of the campus community.

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