LOS ANGELES, CA (May 6, 2026) -- Sage today announced the winners of its 2026 Critical Thinking Challenge, a global initiative recognizing innovative, practical ideas to strengthen how critical thinking is taught and applied in higher education. For the challenge, Sage invited academic librarians, faculty, and researchers to share strategies to help make critical thinking an everyday habit for learners.
Sage received nearly 200 submissions from 36 countries across six continents, reflecting the growing urgency of advancing critical thinking in an era shaped by mis- and disinformation and rapid technological change.
Winners are awarded stipends to be used for research or library needs.
- First place ($2,000): Changiz Mohiyeddini, professor of behavioral medicine and psychopathology, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine. Winning submission: A daily Cognitive Immune System protocol at the beginning of lectures and library sessions.
- Second place ($500): Oh Zi Jian, business management lecturer, Batu Lanchang Vocational College. Winning submission: A Daily Verification Loop with three steps that can be applied to teaching across disciplines.
- Third place ($500): Diana Popa, senior lecturer, School of World Languages and Cultures, University of Vermont. Winning submission: Pause the Scrolla daily micro-habit applicable in and out of the classroom.
“Because Sage is independent, we’re able to invest over the long term in educators and innovations that strengthen critical thinking and help improve society,” said Ziyad Marar, president of global publishing at Sage. “By elevating ideas from librarians, faculty, and researchers around the world, we’re sharing approaches that can be adopted across higher education.”
The Critical Thinking Challenge builds on Sage’s broader commitment to helping educators teach and apply critical thinking in a fast-changing information landscape. The challenge complements other Sage initiatives and resources, including the annual Critical Thinking Bootcamp, reports from critical thinking expert Tom Chatfield, textbooks, and courses designed to develop these skills.
Read the winning Critical Thinking Challenge submissions on Sage’s Social Science Space website.