The SALAMANDER Program for Fostering Academic Librarians' AI Research

The Strengthening Academic Librarians’ AI Methods And Networks for Digital Ethics Research (SALAMANDER) program is a two-year, cohort-based professional development and research forum with the purpose of strengthening academic librarians’ capacity to engage in research relating to artificial intelligence (AI) ethics, AI literacy, responsible AI use in higher education, and AI workforce development. 

SALAMANDER project logo

Each year, 30 academic librarians from across the country will join a six-month mentoring program that pairs them with experienced researchers in information science, data science, and learning technologies. Participants will work one-on-one or in small teams to design, execute, and publish original research on AI ethics, literacy, and responsible use in higher education, culminating in a two-day symposium in Denton, Texas. Along the way, they will gain the tools, networks, and confidence to move from supporting AI initiatives on their campuses to leading original research that shapes the national conversation. 

Program Application

The application form for the inaugural SALAMANDER cohort will open in Fall 2026, with a deadline in early December. We are seeking academic librarians from a wide range of institutions, including rural and under-resourced academic libraries, private, religious, and military universities, and community and technical colleges, in addition to public research institutions. The application will consist of a CV, a letter of recommendation from a supervisor or colleague, and a short statement of interest. Check back soon for the full application details, or sign up below to be notified when the application opens.

Application Form [Opens Soon]. Please complete this interest form if you would like to be added to our mailing list! 

Program Personnel
  • Dr. Brady D. Lund - Assistant Professor, Department of Information Science - Principal Investigator
  • Dr. Ji Hyun Yu - Assistant Professor, Department of Learning Technologies - Co-Principal Investigator
  • Dr. Tozammel Hossain - Assistant Professor, Department of Data Science - Co-Principal Investigator
  • Dr. Jeonghyun (Annie) Kim - Professor, Department of Information Science - Supporting Personnel
Advisory Board
  • Ken Varnum, Senior Program Manager and Discovery Strategist, University of Michigan
  •  Brett M. Porter, Assistant Professor and Web Services Librarian, Sam Houston State University 
  • Lingzi Hong, Associate Professor of Data Science, University of North Texas 
  • Jeehyun Davis, University Librarian, American University 
Administrative Details

SALAMANDER is hosted by the University of North Texas and funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (Grant Number RE-259543-OLS-26).  IMLS logo

Learn more about the Computational Humanities and Innovative Literacies Lab, our student and professional affiliates, and opportunities for collaboration, on the lab's website.