EDUCATION
| Degree | Area of Study | University |
|---|---|---|
| Ph.D. | Instructional Leadership with a Instructional Technology Concentration | The University of Alabama |
| M.S. | Interactive Technology | The University of Alabama |
| M.A. | Journalism and Public Relations | The Ohio State University |
| B.A. | English | Clarion University of Pennsylvania |
AWARDS AND HONORS
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Presidential Designation, Using AI Assistants Ethically for Inclusive Course Design, AECT Convention |
| 2023 | W. Ross Palmer Service to Students Award, The University of Alabama |
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Instructional Design
Technology
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Generative AI & Instructional Design
Generative AI & Curriculum Development
Student Engagement
Teaching Presence in Online Asynchronous Courses
HIGHLIGHTED PUBLICATIONS
- McNeill, L., Uddin, M., & Pei, V. (July 2025). Employing Generative AI to Streamline and Improve Instructional Design Workflows. Journal of Applied Instructional Design.
- McNeill, L. (August 2024). Micro Investment, Big Reward: Leveraging Microlearning for Engagement and Student Success. Handbook of Research in Online Learning. Brill Publishing.
- Moon, J., McNeill, L., Edmonds, C., Noroozi, O., & Kazem, S. (2024). Unpacking Peer Learning Dynamics of Asynchronous Online Discussion in a Gamified Business Education Course.International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-024-00476-z
- McNeill, L. & Bushaala, S. (2023). Meaningful Connection in Virtual Classrooms: Graduate Students’ Perspectives on Effective Instructor Presence in Blended Courses. Frontiers in Education. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1271245
- McNeill, L. & Fisk, D. (2022). Microlearning through the Lens of Gagne’s Nine Events of Instruction: A Qualitative Study. Tech Trends. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-022-00805-x
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS / ACTIVITIES
- AECT Conference Proposal Reviewer
- IICE/IAFOR International Conference Session Chair
- IICE/IAFOR International Conference Senior Reviewer
- AERA Conference Proposal Reviewer
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Laura McNeill is an assistant professor at The University of Alabama specializing in artificial intelligence applications in higher education. She also serves as an instructional consultant for the University of Alabama’s Teaching Academy. She has developed and teaches two pioneering AI courses: “Generative AI and Instructional Design” for graduate students and “Digital Minds: Your Generative AI Adventure Begins” for undergraduates. Dr. McNeill has published extensively on AI in education, with recent accepted publications including “Hands-On AI Education: Implementing a Practical Curriculum for Graduate Students” and “Generative AI in Instructional Design: Adoption, Benefits, and Best Practices.” She is currently leading the AI-WISE (AI Workforce Integration and Skill Enhancement) project, a $30,000 grant focused on bridging the AI skills gap through industry-informed curriculum design and is a sought-after speaker on AI integration in higher education, having delivered numerous presentations and workshops on generative AI tools and strategies for faculty development.