Trent University Honours Exemplary Educators and Researchers
/Distinguished Research Award recipient, Dr. David Patton and Dr. Christine Goodwin-De Faria, recipient of the Symons Award for Excellence in Teaching, are among several winners of the 2021/22 teaching and research awards at Trent University announced on Tuesday.
Photo courtesy of Trent University.
“Leading researchers and passionate teachers dedicated to student success – it’s what we are known for at Trent University,” said Dr. Leo Groarke, Trent president. “Gathering to honour and recognize our teaching and research award winners provides an opportunity to shine a light on the impact these educators have here on campus and beyond.”
In addition to the Distinguished Research Award and Symons Teaching Award, several other awards including new Early Career Researcher Awards, Award for Educational Leadership and Innovation, Award for Excellence in Teaching Assistance, Award for Excellence in Online Teaching and the CUPE 3908-1 Award for Excellence in Teaching will be presented at a virtual Celebration of Excellence in Teaching & Research on May 3.
Dr. David Patton, professor of Physics & Astronomy is also a Child & Youth Studies professor. Photo courtesy of Trent University.
Distinguished Research Award: Dr. David Patton, Physics & Astronomy
Professor Patton is an internationally renowned scholar, researcher and leader in the field of galaxy formation, galaxy-galaxy pairs, and galaxy evolution. Among Prof. Patton’s most notable contributions to the field has been his work on the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, developing a pipeline to assemble one of the largest samples of galaxy-galaxy pairs – the premier dataset to utilize for observational studies of galaxy mergers.
This work resulted in numerous collaborations and partnerships, and a series of 15 papers – a recognized benchmark in understanding galaxy interactions, which has been cited more than 1,500 times. In addition to his intensive and impactful, publication output, Prof. Patton has received considerable funding to support his research including several significant NSERC grants, while also making a significant contribution to student career development, with guidance and mentorship has launched a cascade of successful careers.
The Distinguished Research Award, which celebrates a full career of internationally recognized intellectual contributions is the highest honour conferred by the University for research and scholarly activity.
Professor Goodwin-De Faria was awarded with an Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance Teaching Award last year which recognizes educators who excel at unlocking the potential of Ontario’s young people and successfully engaging individuals in the learning experience so as to spark the desire to learn in students. Photo courtesy of Trent University.
Symons Award for Excellence in Teaching: Dr. Christine Goodwin-De Faria, Child & Youth Studies.
Professor Goodwin-De Faria, an assistant professor at Trent Durham GTA, supports student learning by incorporating multiple means of instruction and engaging assessments. She shares her passion for youth rights and justice with her students, supporting them with independent research projects and volunteer work.
The Symons Award for Excellence in Teaching, named in honour of Trent’s founding president Professor Thomas H.B. Symons, recognizes faculty and staff members who encourage learning, offer unique experiences to their students, challenge them to do their best work, and inspire them to learn.
Additional 2021/22 Research and Teaching Award winners are:
Early Career Researcher Awards
Recognizes promising, early-career Trent University researchers and is designed to help accelerate early-stage career faculty in building a sustainable research program.
Dr. Karen Blair, Psychology: Professor Blair has developed a track record for innovative and critically important research on sexual and gender identities and stigmas, prejudice and discrimination, and the social determinants of health. Prof. Blair is known for her ability to bring together collaborators and research teams.
Dr. Graham Raby, Biology: Since arriving at Trent, Professor Raby has quickly established himself as one of the pre-eminent researchers on fish ecology. Not only has Prof. Raby earned success with funding requests, having secured approximately $700,000 in research funding from multiple national and bi-national sources, he has also published nine papers while navigating the complexities of the COVID pandemic.
Dr. Elizabeth Russell, Psychology: Professor Russell’s research focuses on the sustainability of rural age-friendly communities’ programs, having worked in a number of Canadian provinces on programs. Recently, Prof. Russell was unanimously appointed as the director of the Trent Centre for Aging & Society due to the impact, leadership and collaborative approaches of her research.
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.
Dr. Joel Baetz, English Literature: Within his courses, Professor Baetz has reshaped the bounds of traditional humanities instruction by incorporating experiential learning projects that allow students to research and author reports for community partners.
Professor Susan Hillock, Social Work: As the Department of Social Work’s founding director, Professor Hillock helped to build the program, and has developed and taught fifteen new courses, infusing each with insights from her research and her steadfast commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Award for Excellence in Teaching Assistance
Recognizes teaching assistants who excel at encouraging learning in workshop, tutorial, seminar, laboratory or field settings.
Kalyca Hebert, Psychology: As a teaching assistant, Ms. Hebert is recognized for her extraordinary support for student learning. Students appreciate her commitment to tailored support, approachability and “unique, directed, and personal attention”.
Award for Excellence in Online Teaching
Recognizes instructors who have demonstrated a passion for, and commitment to, online teaching and who have implemented effective approaches to fostering active learning and student involvement.
David King, Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies: Professor King is known for going to great lengths to support students through online learning presenting materials in an accessible and digestible format. His students appreciate his creative use of technology and social media, and the ways he opens up a new perspective on Canada.
CUPE 3908-1 Award for Excellence in Teaching
Recognizes contract faculty who have a strong, positive impact on students’ learning.
Catherine Davis, Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies: As a workshop leader, Ms. Davis is known for her meticulous preparation for each class and the ways she incorporates materials that allow Indigenous students to see their future as research leaders. She is also known for humanizing learning by sharing examples from her own experience.
