BioTAP began in 2013 as a network to bring together Biology TA TPD providers from many institutions. Often TPD providers work in isolation with little empirical research to inform effective TPD practices. Our goal was to bring together TPD practitioners to share their ideas and build capacity for empirical research on TPD practices.

Today there are over 350 BioTAP network members located across the US, Canada, South America, Europe, and beyond!

Undergraduate institutions are under increasing pressure to improve teaching and learning in introductory science courses. Many students’ one on one interactions are mainly with graduate and undergraduate teaching assistants (GTAs & UTAs).

While GTAs and UTAs play critical roles in introductory courses that are gateways to the biology major, often they do not get enough evidence-based teaching professional development.

We want to help more institutions provide effective TPD for GTAs and UTAs, so that they can deliver the best possible teaching and learning environment for undergraduate students in their classes

Our Network:

• Shares resources and support for TPD providers
• Provides opportunities to share ideas about effective TPD practices
• Promotes empirical research on TPD effectiveness
• Advocates for TPD programs for graduate and undergraduate instructors at all institutions.

BioTAP holds a virtual conference each year where researchers and TPD providers present work on improving teaching practices. Videos of presentations from past years are available on our YouTube Channel.

The BioTAP Scholars program (2015-2021) worked with faculty, staff, and graduate students to develop and implement research projects related to TPD practices. Resources to support TPD practices and research on TPD are still available to the community.

In Spring 2023, BioTAP members received grant funding for the ECB Scholars Program which is the next iteration of BioTAP’s mission and goals.