Julian Keith

I started at UNC Wilmington as an undergraduate, double-majoring in Psychology and Philosophy & Religion. That pairing of mechanism and meaning has shaped my work in neuroscience, teaching, and artificial intelligence.

I earned my Ph.D. in Psychology with a concentration in behavioral neuroscience at the University of Colorado Boulder, training under Steven Maier and Jerry Rudy. I returned to UNCW as a faculty member in 1990.

My earlier research examined neuroplasticity, hippocampal neurogenesis, memory, cardiac surgery and cognition, neurofeedback, addiction recovery, and concussion assessment technology. My current work focuses on AI in higher education and the cognitive science of artificial systems.

After seven years chairing the Department of Psychology, I returned to faculty work with new questions about cognition, learning, and human-AI collaboration.

Education

o Ph.D. in Psychology (Behavioral Neuroscience), University of Colorado Boulder, 1990
o M.A. in Psychology, University of Colorado Boulder
o B.A. in Psychology and Philosophy & Religion (Double Major), University of North Carolina Wilmington, 1983

Specialization in Teaching

My teaching emphasizes critical thinking, research methods, cognitive neuroscience, and the practical use of AI as a learning partner.

o Experimental Psychology
o Buddhism and Modern Psychology

Research Interests

AI, Teaching, and Assessment
How should universities teach, assess, and mentor in an age of capable AI? I study faculty attitudes, adoption patterns, and practical ways to integrate AI without weakening student learning.

Machine Cognition
I apply the tools of cognitive psychology to AI systems: how they learn, remember, generalize, and fail, and where artificial systems diverge from human cognition.

Professional Service

Academic Leadership

o UNCW Artificial Intelligence Strategic Lead
o Department Chair, Psychology Department, UNCW (2015-2022)
o Extensive service on university committees and governance


Community Engagement

o Co-founder, MARS Memory-Health Network

Professional Activities

o Manuscript reviewer for multiple neuroscience and psychology journals
o Consultant on cognitive assessment and neurofeedback implementation
o Collaborator on multi-site clinical trials and technology development projects

Community Engagement

Regular presenter to community organizations including:

o Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNCW
o Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at UNCW
o Cucalorus Connect
o Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs

Honors & Awards

o CAA Academic Alliance AI Champion Awardee (2026)
o UNCW Distinguished Teaching Professorship (2015)
o Board of Trustees Teaching Excellence Award
o Chancellor's Teaching Excellence Award