FPGA Excellence Awards Recognize Outstanding Faculty and Staff
The Faculty of Public and Global Affairs once again celebrated the achievements and dedication of its faculty and staff at a reception on May 14, 2026 in the Loeb Building. The awards recognized staff excellence; community excellence; teaching; research; public commentary; and equity, diversity and inclusion.
“These awards highlight the resilience and dedication people have shown to one another, to students, to research, and to the community,” said Interim Dean Mary Francoli. “The huge number of nominations we received has clearly shown a kindness and deep appreciation of colleagues.”
Congratulations to this year’s winners!
Community Engagement Excellence Award
James Milner, Political Science
“For more than a decade, James has built and led major partnerships with international organizations, governments, and civil society, most notably through the Local Engagement Refugee Research Network – a global research partnership that brings together universities, governments, NGOs, and refugee-led organizations to study forced displacement and improve refugee policy and practice.
James has also demonstrated outstanding leadership in the refugee space, forming relationships that extend well beyond individual projects. His collaborations with organizations such as UNHCR have generated outstanding opportunities for students, including internships, fieldwork, and mentorship.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Award
Duncan McCue, School of Journalism and Communication
“Duncan has demonstrated sustained leadership in creating an inclusive teaching and learning environment, with a defining aspect being his leadership in launching the Certificate in Journalism in Indigenous Communities (CJIIC), in collaboration with Indigenous-led institutions.
The inaugural CJIIC cohort has 20 students from across Canada, which is a huge increase in first-year Indigenous enrollment at the School of Journalism and Communication.
The program’s impact has been widely recognized and applications are open for Fall 2026.”
Public Commentary Excellence Award
Stephen Saideman, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs
“Stephen has made an outstanding contribution to public engagement as a scholar of international security, NATO, and civil‑military relations.
As Paterson Chair in International Affairs and Director of the Canadian Defence and Security Network, he has used his research-based expertise to engage academic, policy, and military audiences, as well as the broader public in Canada and internationally.
He has done so through frequent media appearances, public writing, sustained activity through his blog and podcast, and participation in forums including think tank and conference presentations and parliamentary testimony.
Across these activities, he has contributed to broader public understanding of pressing international issues. Committee members also appreciated his mentorship and support for emerging scholars in their public engagement work.”
Research Excellence Awards
Ardyn Nordstrom, School of Public Policy and Administration
Ardyn’s research explores questions on policy evaluation and international development, particularly in the areas of health and education and with a focus on gender equality. The jury noted the very strong evidence of research excellence in Ardyn’s application, particularly methodological innovation and real-world impact, enabled through collaborations with leading international organizations such as World Vision and USAID, and with government departments and agencies in multiple countries, from Canada to Rwanda, Cambodia, Zimbabwe, Brazil and many others. Ardyn’s use of machine learning in evaluation methods is especially cutting edge, and the evidence of knowledge mobilization and policy impact from her research is considerable.
Mehmet Demircioglu, School of Public Policy and Administration
“Mehmet’s expertise sits at the intersection of public administration, management, and innovation. His research addresses the question: how can governments become more innovative, effective, and responsive in a rapidly changing world? The jury was highly impressed by his exceptional publication record, which, in terms of both quantity and impact, far exceeds the norm for faculty members at the rank of associate professor. The committee was further impressed by the significant volume of publications appearing in leading peer-reviewed journals, his two published books in the last year alone, and the mounting evidence of international recognition through a combination of globally leading citation metrics, appointments to high impact journal editorial boards, and international speaking engagements.”
Staff Excellence Award
Coraa St. Pierre Jones, Riddell Program in Political Management
“Coraa exemplifies excellence in every sense of this award. She delivers outstanding service with professionalism, efficiency, and genuine care—creating an experience where students, faculty, and partners alike feel supported, heard, and valued. Her dedication to students is exceptional; she not only guides them through complex processes but consistently advocates for their success and wellbeing.
Coraa is also a remarkable innovator and problem-solver. Whether streamlining communications, enhancing program operations, or introducing creative approaches to events and outreach, she is always finding ways to improve both process and impact.”
Teaching Excellence Awards
Lama Mourad, Norman Paterson School of International Affairs
“This award is in recognition of Lama’s exemplary record of excellence in teaching, grounded in experiential learning, critical inquiry, and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. The award committee especially appreciates your focus on connecting international affairs to real-world political challenges, while encouraging students to critically interrogate dominant policy perspectives and competing viewpoints. Your courses consistently integrate experiential partnerships with external organizations, including refugee-led advocacy groups, allowing students to engage directly with stakeholders and produce work with real-world relevance. You have also developed innovative assessment practices, including the redesign of examinations to engage critically with AI as an analytical object rather than a shortcut, deepening students’ evaluative skills.”
Marylynn Steckley, Global and International Studies
“This award recognizes Marylynn’s sustained excellence in teaching, pedagogical leadership, and her long-standing commitment to experiential, inclusive, and decolonized education in Global and International Studies. The award committee especially noted her emphasis on creating dynamic, collaborative learning environments where students feel inspired, supported, and encouraged to think critically and creatively. Through the development of diverse active-learning strategies, innovative assessment formats, and multimedia tools to ensure broad student participation and engagement, she has become a leader in experiential and virtual learning. Collectively, her teaching, mentorship, and pedagogical scholarship demonstrate an admirable commitment to equity, global engagement, and transformative learning.”
Jane Stinson, Institute of Political Economy
“This award is in recognition of Jane’s sustained excellence in teaching and significant contributions to teaching innovation within the Work and Labour program. These include hercentral role in designing the program’s core graduate course, and the development of a scaffolded pedagogical model that integrates experiential learning and critical reflection across multiple courses. The award committee also valued her innovative assessment strategies emphasizing iterative learning, extensive formative feedback, and reflective practice. Her adaptability in course delivery formats, coupled with consistently strong student evaluations, underscores the lasting impact she has had as an inclusive, innovative, and student-centred educator.”