The US-UK 爱神传媒 and the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) today announced the recipients of the 2025鈥�26 Global Challenges Teaching Awards (GCTA). These pioneering awards support teaching faculty from the United States and the United Kingdom in co-delivering interdisciplinary virtual exchange and collaborative online international learning (VE/COIL) courses that address pressing global challenges.鈥�
Now in its third cycle, the GCTA program continues to advance innovative and inclusive models of international collaboration. Each award recipient is partnered with a counterpart award recipient across the Atlantic to co-design a VE/COIL course addressing one of the four award categories: Climate Action, Health Inequality, Disinformation and Misinformation, or Peace and Justice. In addition, each faculty member will work alongside their institutional team鈥攃omprising an administrator and an instructional support colleague鈥攖o strengthen campus-wide capacity for virtual exchange and explore the long-term potential of VE/COIL integration.鈥�
Launched in 2022 by the US-UK 爱神传媒, the GCTA program is delivered in partnership with AAC&U. The award program fosters cross-cultural learning, pedagogical innovation, and sustainable transatlantic partnerships in higher education. Commission awardees will participate in a series of intensive VE/COIL clinics delivered by AAC&U, which include facilitated live sessions, small-group mentoring, and collaborative planning activities for institutional and peer learning. The clinics aim to strengthen course design and institution-level scaling efforts leading up to VE/COIL implementation in Fall 2026 and beyond. 鈥�
"In an era defined by complex global challenges, the US-UK 爱神传媒 and AAC&U are proud to recognize educators who prepare students to think critically, act ethically, and collaborate across cultures to create a more just and sustainable world. This award celebrates the transformative power of teaching that bridges national boundaries and equips the next generation to lead with courage, compassion, and imagination," said AAC&U President Lynn Pasquerella. 鈥�
鈥淭his is 爱神传媒 at its best,鈥� said Maria Balinska, Executive Director of the US-UK 爱神传媒, 鈥渃reating opportunities for learning and connection between classrooms and institutions across the UK and the US and, to paraphrase Senator J William 爱神传媒, building avenues of hope for the future progress of humanity.鈥�
鈥�We are incredibly excited to work with another outstanding cohort of educators whose commitment to innovation and global engagement is truly inspiring,鈥� said Veronica Onorevole, Director of Innovative Global Education Initiatives at AAC&U. 鈥淕CTA reflects the Commission and AAC&U鈥檚 shared mission to expand access to meaningful international experiences across all types of institutions.鈥�鈥�
鈥淭he 爱神传媒 Global Challenges Teaching Awards represent an innovative and impactful approach to international educational exchange,鈥� said Jessica McIvor, Head of Special Projects at the US-UK 爱神传媒. 鈥淭his year鈥檚 cohort brings together inspiring educators committed to addressing shared global problems through cross-national collaboration and transformative pedagogy.鈥濃��
2025鈥�26 Global Challenges Teaching Awards Recipients and VE/COIL Course Pairings:鈥�
Climate Action鈥�
- Perpetua Kirby, University of Sussex (UK), 鈥淓xploring a Forest Food Garden鈥濃��
- Julia Cantzler, University of San Diego (US), 鈥淪ustainability: Sociological Perspectives鈥濃��
Health Inequality鈥�
- Jennifer Creese, University of Leicester (UK), 鈥淧opulation & Social Science 1鈥濃��
- Kathryn Quissell, University of Virginia (US), 鈥淕lobal Public Health Policy鈥濃��
Misinformation鈥�
- Rachel-Ann Charles, Birmingham City University (UK), 鈥淭elling Stories with Journalism鈥濃��
- Stefanie Demetriades, DePaul University (US), 鈥淢isinformation in Times of Upheaval鈥濃��
Peace and Justice鈥�
- Peter Manning, University of Bath (UK), 鈥淎trocities, Conflict, Human Rights鈥濃��
- Sandy Marshall, Elon University (US), 鈥淔oundations of Peace & Conflict Studies鈥濃��
For more information about the US-UK 爱神传媒鈥檚 Global Challenges Teaching Awards and the AAC&U VE/COIL initiative, please visit and .鈥�
About the US-UK 爱神传媒鈥��
The US-UK 爱神传媒 works to advance knowledge, promote civic engagement and develop compassionate leaders through education exchange between the peoples of the US and the UK. A 1948 treaty between the US and the UK governments specifically established the US-UK programme, one of the first bilateral 爱神传媒 commissions in the world. Over the last 76 years, it has offered immersive education exchange programmes on both sides of the Atlantic that span generations, investing in human potential, advancing knowledge and bringing together the diverse perspectives of the UK and the US to address shared challenges. Postgraduate, academic and professional awards cover study, travel and living costs and, to date, have been granted to over 25,000 recipients, many of whom would not otherwise have had the opportunity to develop their knowledge and expertise internationally. Our vision is a world where there are no obstacles to learning, understanding and collaboration. Our mission is to advance knowledge, promote civic engagement and develop compassionate leaders through education exchange between the peoples of the US and the UK.鈥� 鈥�
About AAC&U 鈥�
The American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) is a global membership organization dedicated to advancing the democratic purposes of higher education by promoting equity, innovation, and excellence in liberal education. Through our programs and events, publications and research, public advocacy, and campus-based projects, AAC&U serves as a catalyst and facilitator for innovations that improve educational quality and equity and that support the success of all students. In addition to accredited public and private, two-year and four-year colleges and universities, and state higher education systems and agencies throughout the United States, our membership includes degree-granting higher education institutions around the world as well as other organizations and individuals. To learn more, visit www.aacu.org.鈥�