Award for Educational Leadership and Innovation

The Award for Educational Leadership and Innovation recognizes faculty and staff who make a distinctive impact through their educational leadership and innovation in teaching and learning. Full-time or part-time faculty and staff who were employed as of July 1, 2021 are eligible for nomination. Self-nominations are not accepted. This award can only be received once; previous recipients are ineligible for nomination.

How to nominate: 

» Award for Educational Leadership and Innovation nomination form 

Complete the "Nominator Information" and the "Candidate Information" sections on the Nomination Form by February 10, 2022 by 11:59pm. Tell the story! Complete the "Candidate Qualifications" section by providing specific examples of how/why your candidate(s) should be considered for the Award.

Make sure to review our list of previous award winners as individuals are only eligible to win the award once.

What are the award criteria? 

This award recognizes a sustained commitment over an extended period to the improvement of university teaching and learning. Educational leadership and innovation may involve collaborative efforts and submissions for this award can be for either individuals or teams. What constitutes educational leadership and innovation will vary and nominators are encouraged to make a compelling case for how their nomination fits all three of the criteria sections of this award. Given the superb quality of nominees, simply fulfilling the nomination criteria may not be sufficient to receive this award. The Senate Teaching Awards Subcommittee strongly encourages nominators to demonstrate not only how the nominees meet, but how they surpass, these criteria.

1. Educational Leadership and Innovation at the Course Level: There should be clear evidence of ongoing contributions and impact at the level of course design and delivery. Accomplishments in this area may include substantive course development or redesign and/or meaningful integration of Indigenous Knowledge, active learning, experiential education, educational technology, or the principles of Universal Design for Learning.
2. Educational Leadership and Innovation at the Department/Program Level: There should be clear evidence of ongoing contributions to teaching and learning that extend beyond the course level. Accomplishments in this area may include significant curriculum and program design, (re)development, and/or evaluation, as well as noteworthy collaborations with other faculty, staff, and/or students that enhance the range and quality of educational opportunities for students.
3. Educational Leadership and Innovation at the Institutional Level: There should be clear evidence of broad and significant impact that extends beyond the department/program level. Accomplishments in this area may include contributions to exemplary teaching and learning across the university, published pedagogical research, and/or work that extends teaching and learning beyond the institution, such as collaborations with other institutions, organizations, or communities.

For helpful information on writing strong nominations, including exemplars, please see the Centre for Teaching and Learning's How to Write a Strong Nomination for a Teaching Award page.

How is it determined?

The recipient of this award is determined by the Senate Teaching Awards Subcommittee. An individual may be nominated for more than one award in an academic year. However, during any given year, recipients may be selected to win only one award. An individual may receive each award only once during their career.

The award has a monetary value of $750 and is accompanied by a framed certificate. The award is announced at Senate and is presented at the Celebration of Excellence in the spring. 

Previous Recipients

2020-2021 Aaron Slepkov and Rayf Shiell (Physics and Astronomy)

2018-2019 Sheldene Simola (School of Business)

2017-2018 Robyne Hanley-Dafoe (Education; Psychology; Centre for Teaching and Learning)

2016-2017  Jane Mackie (Nursing)

2015-2016 David Newhouse (Indigenous Studies & Business Administration)

2014-2015 Asaf Zohar (Business Administration)

2013-2014 Tom Whillans (Environmental & Resource Studies)

2012-2013 Craig Brunetti (Biology)

2011-2012 Jocelyn Williams (Anthropology)

2010-2011 Andrew Vreugdenhil (Chemistry)

2009-2010 James Struthers (Canadian Studies / History)

2008-2009 Zailig Pollock (English Literature)

2007-2008 Alan Slavin (Physics & Astronomy)

2006-2007 Margaret Hobbs (Women's Studies Program)

2006-2007 Mary-Jane Pilgrim (Information Technology)