A Roadmap for the Design and Implementation of Communities of Practice for Faculty Development.

This evidence-based practice paper provides a roadmap for addressing a key challenge associated with designing and leading CoPs (Communities of Practice) for faculty development: there is no one-size-fits-all approach to the design and implementation of a CoP. CoPs are by nature context-specific and designed to address the unique needs of the individuals and organizations of which they are comprised. As such, the design, implementation, and assessment of a CoP requires an iterative, flexible, and responsive approach. In this paper we share (1) findings from a participatory evaluation of ten different CoPs together supporting more than 150 faculty across a 2-year time frame, which examines the factors that should be considered in the design and facilitation of CoPs, to support faculty in their integration of sustainable design and equity into engineering, (2) components of an evidence-based toolkit, currently under development, to help guide other practitioners in their adoption and assessment of CoPs for faculty development, and (3) case studies from CoP participants capturing their first-hand experience and outcomes of being part of a CoP focused on the integration of sustainable design. The participatory evaluation approach, and the toolkit, which utilizes an emergent learning framework, together provide a roadmap for implementation and assessment of CoPs across a variety of contexts. These are summarized as nine key steps: (i) Start with a Definition, (ii) Identify a Facilitator, (iii) Shore up the Infrastructure Needed, (iv) Align on Expectations for the CoP, (v) Offer a Kick Off Workshop, (vi) Foster Psychological Safety and Trust, (vii) Create a Group-driven Agenda, (viii) Practice Asking for and Providing Help and (ix) Learn About and Evolve Your CoP. The presentation format for this session combines a lightning talk of the evaluation approach and key findings, followed by small group discussions with attendees focused on the perceived efficacy and suggested optimizations of the toolkit. Attendees will then have the option to receive the final version of the toolkit, once available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]