Faculty and research chairs receive accolades at the Arts and Science Dean's Award for Excellence

The Dean's Award for Excellence took place on Thursday, November 30, as members of the Faculty of Arts and Science gathered at the Loyola Chapel to commend the recipients of the annual celebration of academic excellence. 

“As we know, the world is in a difficult place right now, on so many levels,” said Dean Pascale Sicotte in her opening remarks. “Ceremonies like this one provide us with an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate excellence, strengthening the bonds that unite our community.” 

And opportunities to celebrate innovative academic and research endeavors were numerous this year.  

“It was a joy to read so many outstanding letters of recommendation from colleagues and students,” shares Jill Didur, Associate Dean Faculty Affairs and Inclusion. “This is the highest number of nominations, for all award categories, that the selection committee has received over the past five years!" 

Swift achievements: Assistant Professors and Limited Term Appointments making an impact 

Kelsey Blair, from the Department of English, and Matthew Buell, from the Department of Classics, Modern Languages and Linguistics, both won the Teaching Award.  

The departments and students who nominated Blair noted her involvement in curriculum development, integrating established and emergent technologies in the classroom, and innovative student engagement strategies. “I feel honoured to be recognized with a Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching,” says Blair. “It reinforces my gratitude to be a member of the Department of English and the Concordia community where I feel fortunate to work alongside dedicated staff, supportive faculty, and inspiring students.” 

Buell’s nomination also impressed the selection committee. They especially noted the high praise he received from his unit and student nominators for his engaging pedagogical approaches reflected in active learning, forward thinking and engaging assignments, along with his dedication to helping students attain their best possible academic potential. "It has been my absolute privilege to teach the things that I love at Concordia,” says Matthew. "One of the reasons why I enjoy teaching so much here is that I like to learn. Given the wide mix of cultures, different backgrounds and experiences that Concordia students bring with them to the classroom, I learn something new at every single lecture. I am grateful for that." 

Junior Scholars: breadth, influence, and productivity in research 

Xianming Zhang, from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Elena Kuzmin, from the Department of Biology, both received a Junor Scholar Award for the timeliness and importance of their research work.  
 
The selection committee highlighted Zhang’s successful research related to environmental chemistry focused on the impact of manmade environmental contaminants and their transformation processes. “This award inspires me to continue the high-standard scholarly work and keep optimistic when facing challenges as a new faculty member,” shares Zhang. “I am grateful for my colleagues who recognized my work and made the nomination.”

The selection committee was also impressed by Kuzmin’s research in the field of genetic interactions and genome evolution, and her major contributions to mapping complex genetic interaction networks in yeast and evolution of large chromosomal aberrations in cancer cells. “I am deeply honoured that my department nominated me and for my colleagues' letters of support,” says Elena. “This award represents a milestone in my career as an independent investigator and gives me the energy to continue on a path of discovery.”

 
New Concordia University Research Chairs

Other categories in the staff/faculty portion of the awards were Senior Scholar, Mid-Career Scholar, Excellence in Academic Service, Excellence in Service to the Faculty by a Staff Member, Excellence in Community Outreach and Public engagement and Excellence in Graduate Supervision.

Associate Dean of Research and Infrastructure, Aaron Johnson, presented the newest Research Chairs. 
 
“Research chairs are awarded to colleagues of promise and high achievement, to support establishing or expanding a research program that fosters innovation, attracts students and funding to Concordia,” explains Johnson. “It also allows them to take on a leadership role in their fields.” 
 
“Concordia University Research Chairs are presented in three categories, reflecting research accomplishments at different stages of an academic career. Tier 1 is for Full Professors; Tier 2 is for tenured Associate Professors; New Scholar is for tenure-track assistant professors of great promise”. 

 
The Honorees

Dean’s Awards for Excellence in Research 

Senior Scholars  

Alan Clinton Bale, Department of Classics, Modern Languages and Linguistics  
Antoine Bilodeau, Department of Political Science 

Mid-Career Scholars

Dajana Vuckovic, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Natasha Blanchet-Cohen, Department of Applied Human Sciences 

Junior Scholars  

Xianming Zhang, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry 
Elena Kuzmin, Department of Biology

Excellence in Teaching

Kelsey Blair, Department of English
Matthew Buell, Department of Classics, Modern Languages and Linguistics

Excellence in Academic Service

Elizabeth Bloodgood, Department of Political Science  
Nora Jaffary, Department of History

Excellence in Service to the Faculty by a Staff Member 

André-Joseph Cordeiro, Department of Journalism 
Alison Piela, Department of Applied Human Sciences

Excellence in Community Outreach and Public Engagement  

Varda Mann Feder, Department of Applied Human Sciences

Excellence in Graduate Supervision   

Mia Consalvo, Department of Communication Studies 
David Walsh, Department of Biology 

New Concordia University Research Chairs 

Maryse Fortin, Department of Health Kinesiology and Applied Physiology 
New Scholar Concordia University Research Chair in Low Back Pain, Spine Imaging, and Musculoskeletal Health Interventions

Kregg Hetherington, Department of Sociology and Anthropology 
Tier 2 Concordia University Research Chair in Environmental Ethnography 
 
Mireille Paquet, Department of Political Science  
Tier 2 Concordia University Research Chair in New Politics of Immigration 
(Mireille also received a $12 million Canada First Research Excellence Fund grant to study the challenges and opportunities that migrant integration poses for Canada.)  

Catherine Kineweskwêw Richardson, School of Community and Public Affairs 
Tier 1 Concordia University Research Chair in Indigenous Healing Knowledges