Dr. Stuart Brown, founder of the National Institute for Play, is this year’s Academy for Teaching and Learning Excellence’s Keynote Speaker.

Brown’s keynote address, “Play: The Key to Engagement and Making Learning Fun,” will be delivered at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall at UALR’s Fine Arts Building.

Brown is also the author of the book “Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul,” and previously presented a TED talk on the subject.

His talk is followed by a luncheon program at 12:15 p.m. titled “How Will You Prepare Your Students for the 21st Century Creative Economy: Play as a Competitive Advantage” in the Bailey Alumni Center.

The question-and-answer luncheon will provide participants a chance to reflect on the keynote address and learn how to incorporate play into teaching and learning.

The presentation is free and open to the public. UALR faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to attend. Seating is limited. To RSVP for the luncheon, email atle@ualr.edu.