Distinguished Research Award - Research & Innovation

Distinguished Research Award (established 1986)

The Distinguished Research Award is the highest honour conferred by Trent University for research and scholarly activity.

An award will be made annually to a member of the Trent Faculty, including Professors Emeriti, in recognition of significant contributions to knowledge or artistic creativity. Up to two awards may be given annually.

Evaluations will consider:

Substantive production of scholarly materials appropriate to the scholar’s discipline;
Significant contributions to research and scholarly activity as documented by organizations that advance research, professional technical committees, and/or professional, literary, and artistic associations;
Significant direct contributions towards the training of high qualified personnel (HQP);
Receipt of research funding, at levels appropriate to the scholar’s discipline.

All Trent University tenured faculty are eligible for the award. This includes tenured faculty from all programs, departments, and schools including professional schools and professors emeriti (within three years of retirement). Faculty must have been employed at least six (6) years at Trent to be eligible for nomination. (Note: Personal leave circumstances and sabbatical periods will be considered by the Selection Committee.)
Past recipients of the Award will not be eligible for further nomination.

The award will be adjudicated in two stages:

1. Nominations of eligible applicants can be made to the Vice-President, Research and Innovation by any member of the Trent community by December 10, 2025. These will include the name of the nominee and one paragraph outlining their eligibility.

2. Nominators will be advised by the Vice-President, Research and Innovation if they should proceed to compile the full nomination dossier, which is due no later than February 10, 2026.

Distinguished Research Award Terms of Reference

Nominations are now closed for the 2026 Distinguished Research Award competition.

2026 Distinguished Research Award Recipient : Dr. Whitney Lackenbauer

Photograph of Whitney smiling in a red hooded sweatshirt

The 2026 Distinguished Research Award honours Dr. P. Whitney Lackenbauer, Canada Research Chair in the Study of the Canadian North and a professor in the School for the Study of Canada. He is internationally recognized as one of Canada’s leading experts on Arctic and Northern security, governance, and policy. His research has shaped national and global conversations on climate change, emerging security challenges, and northern sovereignty, while advancing Indigenous‑centered, community‑engaged approaches.

Since joining Trent University in 2018, he has produced an exceptional body of scholarship that continues to inform government decision‑making. Dr. Lackenbauer founded the North American and Arctic Defence and Security Network (NAADSN) in 2019, now a major policy research hub with significant external funding. A prolific and award‑winning author, he is also a former Killam Fellow, Fulbright Scholar, and Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Canadian Forces College, which underscore his outstanding impact and influence.

Distinguished Research Award Past Recipients

2025 - Dr. Marguerite A. Xenopoulos
2023 - Dr. Hugh Elton (Ancient Greek and Roman Studies)
2022 - Dr. David Patton (Physics and Astronomy)
2021 - Dr. Sally Chivers (English and Gender & Women's Studies)
2020 - Dr. Antonio Cazorla-Sanchez (History)
2018 - Dr. Erica Nol (Biology)
2017 - Dr. Stephen Bocking (School of the Environment)
2016 - Dr. David M. K. Sheinin (History)
2015 - Dr. Suresh Narine (Biomaterials)
2014 - Dr. Haroon Akram-Lodhi (International Development Studies)
2013 - Dr. Ian Storey (Ancient History and Classics)
2012 - Dr. Don Mackay (Chemistry)
2011 - Dr. Jacqueline Solway (International Development Studies)
2010 - Dr. Bryan Palmer (Canadian Studies)
2009 - Dr. Douglas Evans (ERS)
2008 - Dr. Stephen Katz (Sociology)
2007 - Dr. Jim Struthers (Canadian Studies)
2006 - Dr. Chris Metcalfe (Environment/Resource Studies)
2005 - Dr. Barbara Marshall (Sociology)
2004 - Dr. Leonard Conolly (English Literature)
2003 - Dr. Peter Dillon (Environment/Resource Studies)
2002 - Dr. John Topic (Anthropology)
2001 - Dr. Joan Sangster (Women's Studies)
2000 - Dr. Carlyle Smith (Psychology)
1999 - Dr. Alena Heitlinger (Sociology)
1998 - Dr. Michael Peterman (English Literature)
1997 - Dr. Tom Hutchinson (ERS/Biology)
1996 - Dr. Robert Paehlke (Political Studies/ERS)
1995 - Dr. Doug McCalla (History)
1994 - Dr. Ray March (Chemistry)
1993 - Dr. Paul Healy (Anthropology)
1992 - Dr. John Burbidge (Philosophy)
1991 - Dr. Gordon Winocur (Psychology)
1990 - Dr. Joan Vastokas (Anthropology)
1989 - Dr. John Fekete (English Literature/Cultural Studies)
1988 - Dr. Keith Oldham (Chemistry)
1987 - Dr. David Kettler (Political Studies)
1986 - Dr. John Gilchrist (History)