Project REAL
Redesigning for Equity & Advancing Learning
Project REAL is a research-based program that engages faculty in comprehensive, equity-minded course redesign. Its goal is to enhance equitable outcomes for all UC Santa Cruz students by aligning teaching practices with evidence-based approaches that close equity gaps and support student success.
The program focuses on areas such as:
- Student pathways, hidden curriculum, and bridging equity gaps
- Aligning learning outcomes, assessments, and teaching & learning activities
Project REAL offers faculty a guided opportunity to redesign key undergraduate courses—especially curricular “gateway” courses that may pose barriers to student persistence in the major. Individual instructors or faculty cohorts (teams of 2–5) participate in redesigning courses in sequence or strengthening curricular coherence within or across majors. By the end of the program, participants will have redesigned key elements of their course and prepared them for classroom implementation.
How to Participate
The next application cycle will open in Spring 2026.
When active, Project REAL meets for three weeks during Summer Session 2. Faculty are expected to attend all sessions and complete some work outside of the scheduled meetings.
Program format:
- Schedule: Two half-day sessions per week (Tuesdays & Thursdays) for three weeks
- Time: 9:30 AM–12:30 PM (with one extended session until 2:30 PM)
- Commitment: Full attendance at all sessions plus additional work outside of meetings
- Support: Ongoing follow-up before and after teaching your redesigned course
- Eligibility: We encourage applications from faculty teams (2–5 people) who teach gateway courses that are sequential or could benefit from greater curricular coherence
Please reach out for additional information about Project REAL.
Developed in partnership with HSI Initiatives, the Assessment for Learning Excellence and Equity Center (ALEEC), and faculty collaborators, Project REAL is made possible through generous funding from the Chancellor and the Executive Vice Chancellor/Campus Provost.