Academic Board Update

The Academic Board met on 7 May 2026 to consider a range of matters relating to academic quality, research, learning and teaching, and governance across MIT. This newsletter provides a summary of key discussions and decisions.

Strengthening Academic Governance

The Board reviewed its own performance during 2025 and identified several priorities for improvement. These include:

• More timely distribution of meeting papers.
• Increased focus in AB meetings on strategic academic issues.
• Better communication of Academic Board decisions and outcomes.
• Continued review of committee effectiveness.
• Improved administrative support for academic governance activities.

A recurring theme was the importance of ensuring that staff understand how Academic Board decisions influence teaching, learning, research, and student outcomes across MIT.

Artificial Intelligence and Academic Practice

The Board discussed the growing role of generative AI in higher education and the need for a coordinated institutional approach.

Members highlighted the importance of:

• Supporting staff through access to appropriate AI tools.
• Providing training and professional development.
• Ensuring that AI enhances, rather than diminishes, educational quality.
• Developing clear frameworks for the ethical and effective use of AI in learning and teaching.

Further proposals will be considered at future meetings.

Research Growth Continues

The Executive Dean reported continued growth in MIT's Higher Degree by Research (HDR) programs. Research supervision clusters now support almost 200 HDR students across Business and Information Technology.

The Board noted:

• Strong thesis examination outcomes.
• Continued growth in research culture and seminar activity.
• Increasing publication activity by both staff and students.
• Success in attracting external research funding.

Maintaining high-quality supervision and strong student outcomes remains a priority as these programs continue to expand.

Learning and Teaching: Building Student Engagement

The Board considered the findings of the 2025 Course Health Checks and held an extensive discussion on the future of learning and teaching at MIT.

Topics included:

• Teaching quality and consistency.
• Student engagement and sense of belonging.
• Contemporary approaches to learning.
• The design of classroom experiences.
• Resources needed to support high-quality educational delivery.

Members agreed that academic success depends not only on curriculum quality, but also on creating an environment in which students genuinely want to participate and succeed. Further work on an overarching educational philosophy will continue during 2026.

Review of Research Degrees

The Board approved arrangements for the Mid-Cycle Review of MIT's Master of Research programs. As MIT's first research degrees, these programs will undergo a detailed review led primarily by external experts.

The review will examine:

• Academic standards.
• Student experience.
• Research supervision.
• Program structure and outcomes.

The Board sees this review as an important opportunity to strengthen and refine these flagship programs.

Looking Ahead

Key matters scheduled for upcoming meetings include:

• Development of MIT's approach to generative AI.
• On-going reviews of academic policies.
• Defining the Teaching Excellence Awards for 2026.
• Further refinement of Course accreditation and re-accreditation processes.
• Continued enhancement of research governance and quality assurance.

The Academic Board thanks all staff who contribute to MIT's teaching, research, academic leadership, and student support. The quality of our academic community depends on the commitment and professionalism demonstrated across the Institute every day.

Key Resolutions from AB 26.3

The Academic Board passed the following significant resolutions:

AB 26.3.2
That Academic Board accepts the Report on the Academic Board Self-Evaluation of Performance in 2025 and endorses the recommendations of the Report.

AB 26.3.4
That Academic Board accepts the 2025 Annual Course Health Checks.

AB 26.3.5
That Academic Board endorses the proposed Panel structure for the Mid-Cycle Review of the Master of Research programs.

AB 26.3.6
That Academic Board notes the reports on external moderation undertaken in 2024 and 2025.

AB 26.3.7
That Academic Board notes the Report of the Academic Appeals Committee for 2025.

Professor Doug Grant
Chair, Academic Board