Dr. Catherine (Cathy) Bruce is a renowned educator, researcher, and administrator. Dr. Bruce's impressive 35-year career in education includes over 20 years in higher education. Her dedication to excellence in teaching, research, and leadership at Trent has been evident since she joined the institution in 2003. Dr. Bruce has significantly contributed to the University’s growth, serving as a professor, director of graduate programs, founder of the Centre for Teaching and Learning, dean of Trent’s School of Education, and, most recently, as vice-president of Research and Innovation.
During her tenure as vice-president, Dr. Bruce has demonstrated remarkable leadership overseeing all research activity at Trent, spearheading the development of new strategic research priorities for the University, establishing the Early Career Researcher Awards, and creating a Trent-specific Research Grant Incentive Program. She has worked with faculty to grow Trent’s international research collaborations, most recently positioning Trent as the number one undergraduate university in Canada for growth in international partnerships, as part of a special spotlight in 2023 Research Infosource rankings.
As an accomplished professor, Dr. Bruce has received numerous accolades, including the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations Teaching Award. With a focus on teacher and student efficacy, Dr. Bruce’s career has focused on exploring productive pathways to learning complex concepts and ideas, particularly in mathematics. Her most recent research has examined the role of spatial reasoning in mathematics learning, for which she has been nationally and internationally recognized. Dr. Bruce has co-authored multiple books and has a solid peer-reviewed publication record. Her lab (the Trent Math Education Research Collaborative), hosts a federally funded research program that enables collaboration with educators and administrators from both Public and Catholic school districts across Ontario, all with the support of the lab research team.
Dr. Bruce’s leadership and service extends from the local community as a member of the board of Peterborough’s regional Innovation Cluster, to the provincial community as a member of the Executive of the Ontario Council on University Research, and nationally as a past president of the Association of Canadian Deans of Education. On the broader stage, Dr. Bruce is a member of the International Program Committee for the International Commission on Mathematical Instruction for Advances in Geometry (ICMI 26).
Dr. Bruce holds a Ph.D. and M.A. from the University of Toronto, as well as a B.A. and B.Ed. from York University.
“Trent University is an extraordinary place of learning that is deeply committed to student success in a vibrant learning community. I am honoured to serve as Trent’s ninth president, ushering the University forward into our next period of strategic growth and sustainability,” says Dr. Bruce. “This is a pivotal moment for Trent as we undertake some major projects including the development of the Seniors’ Village, new colleges and residences, the Trent Research Farm, and continued expansion of the Durham campus in Oshawa. Trent has grit and a highly capable community of staff, faculty, Board members, and students. These will be key elements to our continued success as we navigate the challenges and opportunities before us.”
Books
Bruce, C., Flynn, T. & Yearley, S. (2022). Rethinking Fractions: 8 core concepts to support learning and assessment. Pearson, Canada.
Rowell, L., Bruce, C., Shosh, J., & Riel, M. (Eds.). (2017). The Palgrave International Handbook on Action Research, Palgrave MacMillan, USA.
Moss, J., Bruce, C., Caswell, B., Hawes, Z., & Flynn, T. (2016). Taking Shape: Activities to develop geometric and spatial thinking. Pearson, Canada.
Beatty, R., & Bruce, C. (2012) From Patterns to Algebra. Nelson Education, Canada.