{"id":49730,"date":"2018-09-12T15:31:58","date_gmt":"2018-09-12T19:31:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsroom.carleton.ca\/?post_type=cu_story&p=49730"},"modified":"2025-09-30T11:30:27","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T15:30:27","slug":"dean-duo","status":"publish","type":"cu_story","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/story\/dean-duo\/","title":{"rendered":"Dean Duo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n Dean Duo\n <\/h1>\n \n <\/header>\n <\/div>\n\n \n <\/path>\n <\/path>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

As a young chemistry researcher, Chuck Macdonald<\/a> developed a deep interest in making new types of molecules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By finding methods to get atoms to bind together in atypical ways, he could explore the novel properties of these fundamental particles and probe a wide range of potential applications, or share the molecules with collaborators who could incorporate them into their own projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Macdonald, who became the dean of Carleton\u2019s Faculty of Science<\/a> on Aug. 1 after 17 years in a series of increasingly senior positions at the University of Windsor, plans to bring this scientific mindset to his new leadership role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By encouraging his colleagues to transcend departmental and disciplinary boundaries, he can help students, faculty and staff achieve their potential and have an impact that reaches far beyond the university campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs a scientist, I\u2019ve worked on lots of collaborative projects with people from all over the world,\u201d says Macdonald.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\u201cThe way science is done now, most if it involves teams \u2014 experts from a variety of different areas working together to take on a problem that they wouldn\u2019t be able to solve by themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Unlike Macdonald, Dean Pauline Rankin<\/a> at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), the other new faculty head at Carleton this fall, has a long history at the university. She became an instructor here in 1990 before finishing her PhD and served as associate dean (Research and Graduate Affairs) of FASS and associate vice-president (Research and International) before she was appointed dean July 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the gender studies scholar shares Macdonald\u2019s commitment to cross-disciplinary collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rankin\u2019s recent three-year post in the Office of the Vice-President (Research and International)<\/a> gave her a campus-wide perspective on how various faculties work together \u2014 and how these relationships can be expanded and enhanced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a permeability between faculties and departments at Carleton,\u201d she says. \u201cCollaborating with colleagues regardless of their background is critically important. When you look at the university as a single institution, you see opportunities in the cracks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\"Dean<\/figure>\n\n\n

Photo of Dean Pauline Rankin by Fangliang Xu<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deep Knowledge of the Carleton Community Gives Rankin an Edge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Rankin, the first female Carleton alumna appointed for a full-term decanal position, plans to use her broad expertise in research, internationalization and gender equity in FASS. Although there is still a learning curve, knowing 90 per cent of the faculty and administrative staff already provides a great platform.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\u201cThe past decade at FASS focused seriously and successfully on issues related to teaching and learning,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cThe undergraduate experience remains crucial to the success of this faculty and the university as a whole, but I think now is the time to focus on the world-class research of our professors and students.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These professors and students come to FASS from all over the world and conduct research overseas, and there are several programs in place to send Canadian scholars abroad, but Rankin feels the faculty can do more to take advantage of international opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Participating in the ongoing process of Indigenization<\/a> at Carleton is also a priority for Rankin. \u201cThis means not only hiring more Indigenous faculty and welcoming more Indigenous students,\u201d she says, \u201cbut also being part of how the university responds to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. I want to see what\u2019s possible within FASS and within Carleton as a whole.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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