Empowering Instructors | Supporting Excellence
Open to the UB teaching and learning community, the Innovation Celebration brings together faculty, instructional staff, and campus leaders to celebrate instructional excellence, showcase impactful work, and build connections across disciplines and roles. The event also serves as an opportunity to engage with programs, offices, and initiatives at UB that support teaching innovation across campus.
The program begins with a virtual keynote by Dr. Teodor Mitew (University of Sydney), our Genteels-sponsored speaker. The keynote speaker is supported by the Genteels Fund, established in honor of Ron Gentile, whose legacy continues to support innovation in teaching and learning at UB. An expert in digital media, networked learning, and the social and technological dimensions of higher education, Dr. Mitew will explore the evolving landscape of higher education, with a focus on artificial intelligence, emerging pedagogies, and the future of teaching and learning. A live Q&A will follow, offering attendees the opportunity to engage with these ideas.
Following the keynote, the celebration continues in the Davis Hall Atrium with brief remarks from University and CATT leadership, and a poster-based open house and networking lunch. This interactive session will feature New Faculty Academy participants, AI Community of Practice Fellows, and Unit Accessibility Liaisons, showcasing their collective work and impact. Attendees are invited to move freely throughout the space, engage with presenters, explore innovative practices, and connect with colleagues and collaborators from across the university.
Whether you are looking to discover new ideas, celebrate colleagues, or connect with others committed to teaching excellence, the Innovation Celebration offers a welcoming and inspiring space to reflect on the year’s accomplishments and look ahead to what’s next.
Wednesday, May 6 | 8:30 a.m. to noon | Davis 101 and Davis Atrium
- 8:30 a.m. Doors open
- 9 a.m. Introduction | Davis Hall 101
- 9:05 a.m. Keynote: Dr. Teodor Mitew, University of Sydney, on the current horizon of teaching innovation and AI (virtual) | Davis Hall 101
- 9:45 a.m. Keynote Q&A | Davis Hall 101
- 10 a.m. Break
- 10:15 a.m. Remarks | Davis Atrium
- 10:30 a.m. to noon Open house celebration and networking | Davis Atrium
2026 Keynote Speaker: Dr. Teodor Mitew (Virtual)
Conference keynote sponsored by the Genteels' Excellence in Teaching Conference
Dr. Teodor Mitew’s work examines how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping teaching practice and faculty roles in higher education. His research explores the impact of distributed and machinic systems on learning environments, with a focus on how AI is influencing instructional design, classroom dynamics and the future of academic work.
Dr. Mitew is a Senior Lecturer in Digital Media at the University of Sydney. He holds a PhD in Internet Studies from Curtin University and an MA in the Philosophy of History from the Jagiellonian University.