- Roles and Responsibilities
- Expectations
- Eligibility
- Award
- The Application Dossier
- Selection Committee
- Evaluation Criteria
Carleton University is committed to creating an institutional culture that values and rewards excellence in teaching and learning, helping to foster student success and positive social change through teaching innovation and scholarly work related to teaching and learning in post-secondary education.
The Carleton University Chair in Teaching Innovation was established to assist in achieving our institutional commitment to teaching, learning and innovation. A Chair will be awarded annually to an educator who demonstrates teaching excellence and innovation across an established academic career. Each award is for a three-year period and is meant to contribute to the development of a scholarly approach to teaching and learning across the university with a particular emphasis on strategies to foster student success.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Carleton University Chair in Teaching Innovation will work collaboratively with colleagues in Teaching and Learning Services and across the institution to advance the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) and student success by:
- Engaging in high-quality scholarship with a project that exemplifies the transformative potential of teaching on student success;
- Provide faculty leadership in innovative teaching approaches and promote evidence-based teaching practices;
- Act as a role model for teaching excellence at Carleton University;
- Disseminate the results of their scholarly work through seminars, workshops, publications in peer-reviewed spaces and other forms of public engagement.
Expectations
In addition to undertaking a significant SoTL project that contributes to the knowledge and understanding of good pedagogical practice and student success, chairholders are expected to contribute to a culture of knowledge transmission and mentorship within the university. Ideal chairholders will welcome the opportunity to work closely with colleagues seeking to develop teaching innovations and SoTL projects within their disciplinary contexts but also across the institution. Seminars, workshops and/or colloquia on topics relating to teaching and learning are seen as important in establishing a research-led teaching culture at Carleton. In addition, chairholders will occasionally participate in Teaching and Learning Services events and activities.
Eligibility
Candidates for the Carleton University Chair in Teaching Innovation should be tenured at the rank of Associate or Full Professor, or confirmed at the rank of Associate or Full Professor, Teaching Stream. In addition, they must have:
- A record of excellence in teaching and fostering student success;
- A record of educational leadership within a department/institute/school and Faculty;
- Demonstrated interest in teaching innovation;
- SoTL publications will be considered an asset.
Award
The value of the award is $45,000, which will be allocated in three annual instalments of $15,000. Funds can be used to support the implementation of a SoTL project, including travel, conference attendance, research assistance, professional development, workshop/seminar organization or other related activities.
The Application Dossier
Individuals who wish to be considered for the role of Carleton University Chair in Teaching Innovation should submit an application consisting of:
- A proposal for a project to be carried out through the duration of the award, and an explanation of expected contributions to the enhancement of teaching and learning at Carleton University through scholarship (2 pages max);
- Teaching philosophy statement (1 page max);
- Evidence of teaching excellence;
- Teaching evaluations for the last three years and/or additional evidence of teaching excellence (3 pages max for any additional material);
- Evidence of educational leadership;
- A letter of support from the Department Chair/Director or Dean*
- A full Curriculum Vitae.
Please make sure that your dossier addresses all criteria listed below.
Applications are due by May 30 at midnight and should be submitted as one PDF file using the application form.
If you don’t receive a confirmation email from us within 48 business hours, please contact us directly at teachingawards@carleton.ca.
Successful candidates will begin their appointment on July 1.
Selection Committee
The selection committee is chaired by the Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President (Academic) and is composed of one dean, and one representative from each faculty recommended by the deans.
Committee members individually review applications and assess them against the published criteria. After individual reviews, the committee meets and members work toward a consensus until they agree on the recipient.
*Proposals that are submitted without a letter of support from the Department Chair/Director or Dean will not be considered.
Evaluation Criteria
1. Project Proposal
- Goals and the rationale are clearly stated.
- There is a clear explanation of expected contributions to student success at Carleton University.
- The approach has the potential to grow and be implemented in other courses/departments/disciplines.
2. Excellence in Teaching
Evidence is from multiple perspectives (self, students, peers, community members, etc.) and may include:
- Results of the Student Experience Questionnaire (SEQ) for the last 3 years.
- Other evidence of excellence in teaching (e.g., student comments from SEQ; unsolicited messages from students; letters from colleagues, previous teaching awards, teaching grants and recognition, etc.) Please do not ask for letters from your current students.
- Data showing impact (e.g., pre- post tests, producing scholarship, examples of course materials and teachign strategies, adoption of innovative teaching strategies by others, etc. ).
3. Educational Leadership
Evidence of leadership beyond the candidate’s own classroom and may include:
- Organizing and/or presenting on teaching topics at workshops, conferences, and other events (departmental, Faculty, or university level).
- Informal and formal mentorship of colleagues and/or junior faculty.
- Participation in curriculum initiatives.
- Contributions to teaching blogs, newsletters, or journals devoted to university teaching, etc.
- Publications about teaching.
4. Other
- Commitment to fostering a culture of student success at Carleton.
- Commitment to promoting and fostering culture change in teaching at Carleton.
- Interest in teaching innovation.
5. Organization of Application
- Clearly written, concise, and all the required elements are included.
- Narrative provides context to teaching experience and evidence chosen.