Jennifer Hirsch won the International Association for Relationship Research Teaching Award

The University of Pittsburgh’s Jennifer Hirsch has been awarded the International Association for Relationship Research (IARR) Teaching Award. Hirsch is a Teaching Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology.

IARR is an interdisciplinary organization that strives to promote advances in the scientific study of personal and social relationships and encourage collaboration among students, new scholars and experienced scholars. This award is given every other year to recognize excellence in teaching in the field of personal relationships.

Hirsch’s teaching philosophy is centered around demonstrating the value of scientific reasoning and encouraging critical thought. The IARR highlighted that she aims to teach students how to think, rather than what to think.

“Her teaching style engages us to be more creative and curious students,” said one anonymous student testimonial to IARR. “Her obvious care and dedication to her classes makes students willing and able to do their best work.”

— Nick France, photography courtesy of Jennifer Hirsch