Allison Pingree

As a coach and colleague, I partner with faculty to enhance teaching and deepen learning across HGSE. A core focus of my work is the use of generative AI to enhance, not undermine, effective teaching and learning. More broadly, I work with faculty teams as they plan and execute new learning experiences for multi-section courses; consult individually on course design, innovative pedagogical and assessment methods, inclusive teaching strategies, and on gathering, interpreting and responding to student feedback; and co-create and deliver collaborative faculty learning opportunities (including an institute for new faculty, regular faculty professional development sessions, and thematic professional learning communities). From 2020-2025, I taught an HGSE course on Essentials of Coaching for Leaders & Educators.  

My career has been devoted to practicing, supporting, innovating and leading in higher education teaching and learning. A continuous thread in that work is my commitment to helping others learn and grow through deep listening, skilled facilitation, and reflective practice. In 2018-19, I served as Director of Cross-School Programming at the Harvard Initiative for Learning & Teaching, overseeing the annual conference, Teaching & Learning Consortium, and Into Practice, and piloting a program for formative peer observation. Prior to that, I was Director of Professional Pedagogy with SLATE at the Harvard Kennedy School for 7 years, preceded by 13 years as Director of Vanderbilt’s university-wide Center for Teaching.

My research interests include interdisciplinary teaching, learning and collaboration; leadership and organizational change; and contemplative pedagogy. My passion as an educator lies in cultivating ways to integrate cognitive, affective, and embodied forms of learning to promote individual and social change. I hold a Ph.D. in English & American Literature and Language from Harvard, and taught in English, History & Literature, and Expository Writing at Harvard, and in American Studies and in Leadership, Policy & Organizations at Vanderbilt.