#TrentExploresCanada: A “Canadian to Watch” Amongst Faculty Building National Reputation at Trent
Students of Dr. Lackenbauer’s Canadian Studies classes rate their experience as “inspirational”
Dr. Whitney Lackenbauer has a simple request for his students: “bring your questions about Canada and Canada’s place in the world to every class.” Joining Trent’s School for the Study of Canada less than a year ago as a Canada research chair for the study of the Canadian north (CRC Tier 1), the professor and historian is already finding new ways to engage students in the contemporary issues and challenges affecting northern communities.
“My research throughout the Canadian North has profoundly shaped my understanding of our country and my role as a scholar,” said Professor Lackenbauer, during the announcement of his new appointment last year. “What excites me most about the CRC role is being able to offer similar opportunities to Trent students.”
A “Canadian to Watch” Comes to Trent
Prof. Lackenbauer brought with him an impressive professional history when he joined Trent’s School for the Study of Canada in 2018. While pursuing graduate studies at age 25, Prof. Lackenbauer was named one of ‘100 young Canadians to watch’ in Maclean’s millennium issue (alongside several other impressive young people, including a relatively unknown Michael Bublé). Since then, the historian and award-winning author has steadily become one of Canada’s leading experts on Arctic history, Indigenous-state relations and contemporary Northern policy, publishing a wide range of books, articles, and policy papers.
An active field researcher, Prof. Lackenbauer has travelled extensively with the Canadian Rangers – a part of the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves dedicated to working in remote, isolated and coastal region of Canada. In fact, in his travels, he has earned the title of Honorary Lieutenant Colonel of the 1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group in 2014. While his scholarly achievements are impressive, Prof. Lackenbauer feels that his work is far from done. As part of his new role as CRC at Trent, he hopes his research will continue to bolster social and policy decisions.
“I came to Trent’s School for the Study of Canada because of its strong national reputation as a leading hub for interdisciplinary Canadian Studies, which allows me to explore historical and contemporary forces that shape how we understand our country,” said Prof. Lackenbauer. “By encouraging evidence-based policy-making that transcends traditional academic boundaries and disciplines, I hope that my research programs will bring positive social and political benefits.”
Providing Undergrads with hands-on experience
While actively engaged in various research programs related to Canada’s circumpolar regions, Dr. Lackenbauer is equally as passionate about undergraduate teaching. The feeling appears to be mutual with his students. Only a few semesters into his new role, Prof. Lackenbauer’s teaching style has been highly praised on ratemyprofessor.com, with students using words such as ‘passionate,’ ‘engaging,’ and ‘inspirational’ to describe his approach. Some of his popularity undoubtedly stems from an emphasis on providing hands-on immersive experiences for students. This past semester, undergraduate students in Prof. Lackenbauer’s Canadian Studies 3241H (Histories of the Canadian North) joined their professor on a trip to Nova Scotia, conducting mock negotiations on the legal status of the Northwest Passage with students at St. Francis Xavier University. By providing new opportunities for students to get involved, Prof. Lackenbauer hopes to offer guidance to a new generation of impassioned historians and researchers.
“I’m deeply committed to engaging undergraduate and graduate students, as well as postdoctoral researchers,” notes Prof. Lackenbauer. “My primary goal as a teacher and mentor is to help [students] facilitate [their] own path.”
Canadian Studies was born at Trent University. This story is part of the #TrentExploresCanada series, spotlighting the leadership, interdisciplinary teaching and research expertise of individual faculty members, including those within Trent’s renowned School for the Study of Canada.