Programs

Next-Generation Talent Development

SkAI is shaping the next generation of scientists and innovators by operationalizing a multitiered educational and partnership framework. This framework ranges from co-curricular high school curriculum development through training early-career researchers through SkAI’s various postdoctoral awards. 

Our programming initiatives include: 

• Early-career workforce development [level: graduate students and postdoctoral awardees]: Competitive postdoctoral recruitment, structured mentoring for early-career researchers, and an active research events schedule to cultivate interdisciplinary research across SkAI 
• Undergraduate research training and development [level: undergraduate students]: Paid summer research opportunities to help foster interdisciplinary research skills and competencies    
• Courses and curriculum [level: undergraduate and high schools students; postdoc training]: Developing Astro-AI into college courses, designing high school and undergraduate-level curriculum, as well as integrating art and AI into astronomy classrooms and a postdoctoral preceptor training program focusing on best practices in STEM education  
• Public engagement: Introducing Astro-AI to broader audiences by participating in community-focused events, creative collaborations such as SkAI-Art, and citizen science platforms such as Zooniverse 

From high school curriculum development to postdoctoral mentoring, we’re creating pathways that connect astronomy and AI across all career stages. 

For more information about SkAI’s next-generation talent-development initiatives, contact:

• Chihway Chang, Deputy Director for Next-Generation Talent (chihway at kicp.uchicago.edu)
• Erin Cox, Assistant Director of Education and Outreach (erin.cox at northwestern.edu)