LSU Names Emily Elliott as Provost's Fellow for Artificial Intelligence

BATON ROUGE – LSU has named Dr. Emily Elliott as the inaugural Provost’s Fellow for Artificial Intelligence (AI), a one-year appointment designed to advance a human-centered approach to AI across teaching, research, and academic operations.

“At LSU, our strength has always been our people—our students, our faculty, our staff, and the communities we serve,” said Interim Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs & Provost Troy Blanchard. “A human-centered approach to AI ensures that as these technologies evolve, they remain in service of that mission, enhancing learning, discovery, and impact without losing sight of what matters most.”

Dr. Elliott will work with Dr. Jacqueline Bach, Vice Provost for Academic Programs & Support Services, to help shape how artificial intelligence is thoughtfully and responsibly integrated across the university. Her work will focus on identifying where these tools can strengthen student learning, support faculty, and improve academic processes, while keeping LSU’s academic mission at the center. She will start with a comprehensive landscape analysis will assess existing strengths and gaps, building on current efforts rather than duplicating them.

She will also lead the formation of a university-wide Council on AI, bringing together voices from across campus to guide priorities, foster collaboration, and respond to emerging needs. Working with faculty, students, and campus leadership, including the Faculty Senate and Student Government, Elliott will gather input, surface concerns, and highlight effective practices for responsible AI use. That input will inform the development of practical guidance and resources for units navigating a rapidly evolving landscape, as well as workshops, events, and other forums. These conversations are essential, not only to keep pace with change but to ensure LSU approaches AI in a coordinated and thoughtful way.

“In this role, Emily will help turn a lot of early momentum into something more cohesive and sustainable,” said Vice Provost Jacqueline Bach. “She’s well positioned to identify where support is needed, elevate what’s already working, and help others engage with AI in ways that feel approachable and useful.”

Together, these efforts will generate a significant volume of insight, activity, and shared learning across the university, which will need to be coordinated at a high level to ensure alignment with university priorities. To support this work, Elliott will lead the development of a centralized hub for AI-related information and resources that links people, highlights existing efforts, and makes it easier to navigate opportunities and guidance.

“As a Louisiana native and a proud graduate of LSU (BS in PSYC), I am humbled and honored to serve in the role of the LSU Provost’s Fellow for Artificial Intelligence,” said Emily Elliott. “I look forward to engaging with the LSU community.”

About Emily Elliott

Dr. Emily Elliott received her PhD in Cognition and Neuroscience, and she specializes in memory and attention. She is a Professor in the Department of Psychology and has been a faculty member at LSU for over 20 years. She has held multiple administrative positions in the Department of Psychology, including serving as department chair. She currently directs the Elliott Attention Recall and Sounds lab (the EARS lab) and conducts research on the development of serial order memory in children, as well as how musical training can be related to cognition. She has over 60 peer-reviewed publications and is the author of a forthcoming book, “Maximizing Children’s Memory Potential: Science-based Strategies for Learning Success”. During her time at LSU, she served as a member of the Executive Graduate Council, and as a member of the Athletics Council. She is completing her time as an LSU Communication-Intensive Fellow in the Communication Across the Curriculum program. She received the 2025 LSU Distinguished Graduate Teaching Award, and in 2024, she received the Collaboration Award from LSU Online and Continuing Education. She is a Fellow of the Psychonomic Society and of Division 3 of the American Psychological Association (APA). She is the President-Elect of Division 3 of APA and will serve as President in the upcoming year.