University of Richmond Center for Liberal Arts and AI Announces Theme and Fellows for 2025–26 Academic Year

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND — The Center for Liberal Arts and AI at the University of Richmond will host 23 fellows from 10 institutions and offer numerous programming opportunities during the 2025–26 academic year.

The Center for Liberal Arts and AI (CLAAI), which launched this fall, bridges artificial intelligence with the critical inquiry and humanistic values of the liberal arts to study, inform, and enhance AI. CLAAI brings together researchers, students, and educators from institutions across the Associated Colleges of the South to explore pressing social, cultural, and legal questions and dimensions of artificial intelligence.

“We are exploring how interdisciplinary methods can make AI more accessible, culturally informed, and responsible,” said CLAAI’s director Lauren Tilton, a digital humanities professor at the University of Richmond. “Our work positions students alongside faculty as learners, creators, and leaders.”

To deepen collaboration, CLAAI’s 23 faculty fellows will explore a shared annual theme. The theme this year is “under the hood.” Activities include guided discussions, lectures, and workshops. 

The 2025–26 CLAAI fellows include:

• Katrin Bahr, assistant professor of German, Centre College
• Sonja Bertucci, assistant professor of languages, literatures, and cultures (film studies), University of Richmond
• Vladimir Chlouba, assistant professor of leadership studies, University of Richmond
• Megan de Linde Leonard, professor of economics and business, Hendrix College
• Megan Driscoll, assistant professor of art history, University of Richmond
• Josh Fairfield, William Donald Bain Family Professor of Law and director of Artificial Intelligence and legal innovation strategy, Washington and Lee University
• Mary Finley-Brook, professor of geography, environment, & sustainability, University of Richmond
• Chad Fulwider, professor of history, Centenary College of Louisiana
• Julian Hayter, professor of leadership studies, University of Richmond
• Fangzhi He, multilingual assistant professor of the practice (Writing), Davidson College
• Laurie Heyer, John T. Kimbrough Professor of Data Sciences and associate dean for data & computing, Davidson College
• Daniel Hocutt, adjunct professor of liberal arts, School of Professional & Continuing Studies, University of Richmond
• Rachel Johnson, director of the Center for Teaching and Learning and lecturer in English, Centenary College of Louisiana
• Phil Kirlin, associate professor of computer science, Rhodes College
• Lucy Littler, interim director, Endeavor Center for Faculty Professional Development, Rollins College
• Jared Millson, associate professor of philosophy, Rhodes College
• Sybil Prince Nelson, assistant professor of mathematics and inaugural AI fellow, Washington and Lee University
• Carol Parish, Floyd D. and Elisabeth S. Gottwald Professor of Chemistry, University of Richmond
• Celeste Ray, professor and chair of anthropology, Sewanee: The University of the South
• Kevin Rodríguez, assistant professor of biology, Sewanee: The University of the South
• Stephanie Spera, associate professor of geography, environment, & sustainability, University of Richmond
• Sami Sweis, assistant professor of international studies, Centre College
• Mai Nou Xiong-Gum, assistant professor of communication studies, Furman University

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