Originally on UGA Today

Keith Dougherty strives to continually motivate students, inspire them to work collectively, and get them excited about class.

As an example, he allows students to work together on homeworks that he then reinforces by working through problems in class. He intentionally pairs students with a good understanding of the material with those who find it challenging.

Dougherty also uses active learning techniques. He begins his Game Theory course with “Twenty-One Flags.” He puts students into small groups and asks them to work out a good strategy for removing flags. The group that removes the last flag wins. This activity helps them understand why some players might play rationally and can then lead to a discussion of why others don’t.

“In every facet of his classes, Dr. Dougherty’s passion for educating and kindness toward students takes center stage,” one former student wrote.

A member of the UGA Teaching Academy, Dougherty also has received the Creative Teaching Award and the Lothar Tresp Outstanding Honors Professor Award and served as a Senior Teaching Fellow.

“Professor Dougherty is more than a great classroom teacher. He is a dynamic presence who has introduced undergraduates to the thrill of intellectual curiosity and critical thinking outside of the classroom in many ways,” one colleague wrote.