University of Alberta Distinguished Professor

University of Alberta Distinguished Professors have achieved significant distinction and scholarship in each of the areas of teaching, research and/or creative endeavours, and service to the University and the community at large. Their scholarly work must have merited broad recognition; their teaching and student supervision ability must be widely recognized by colleagues and students; and, they must be regarded as exceptional citizens.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

As outlined in the UAPPOL Application and Selection Procedure, the following was considered in the development of the adjudication criteria noted below:

  • Evidence for internationally recognized contributions in their fields
  • Evidence of a career commitment to excellence in: teaching, research and/or creative activities, and service to the University and the community at large
  • Evidence of an outstanding reputation in student supervision, mentorship and educational leadership
  • Merits of the proposed project, including articulation of how their project aligns with the University’s strategic plan(s).

ADJUDICATION CRITERIA

University of Alberta Distinguished Professor recognizes those exceptional faculty members who are globally recognized leaders and whose teaching, scholarly work, and service have made them leaders in their disciplines. The adjudication committee will consider the following criteria when reviewing the Narrative CVs: 

Required elements

  1. Impact of teaching (not all sub-criteria may apply)
    1. Commitment to teaching excellence throughout a career at the University of Alberta
    2. Course development efforts: examples of the (re)design of new courses (why change was needed, what was done, what is unique about the change and what is the evidence for its effectiveness?)
    3. Strategies showing reflection and change over time (why change was needed, what was done, rationale behind the changes, evidence for their effectiveness, a description of the learning outcomes)
    4. Creativity in teaching that enhances learning and engages students. 
    5. Broad range of teaching at undergraduate and/or graduate levels in various settings (such as labs, studios, clinics, traditional classrooms, non-traditional classrooms, supervision, mentorship, land-based learning, experiential learning etc.).
    6. Impact of student supervision/mentorship
      1. Speak to graduate students and postdoctoral scholars supervised and share description of their career trajectory. If applicants do not have access to graduate students or postdoctoral scholars, they may describe how they engage in mentoring students at the undergraduate level
    7. Impact of leadership/mentorship (not all sub-criteria may apply)
      1. Engagement in leadership and/or service activities
      2. Support provided to the advancement of colleagues
      3. Descriptions of how/if these activities link to the applicant's disciplinary research and/or teaching
      4. Contributions of activities to students, peers, and/or the University of Alberta
      5. Establishment of collaborations
  2. Impact of research activities
    NOTE: Research activities can include disciplinary research, scholarly teaching/pedagogical research, or both, and are not limited to discovery-based research
    1. What are the outcomes or impacts of your research? How is your research impacting the University of Alberta, the community-at-large, the environment? These impacts can be local, national, and/or global.
    2. Innovation of research activities. How has the research translated to change? How has this change impacted the University of Alberta or the community-at-large? 
    3. Impact of applicant’s research activities in facilitating or supporting the outcomes of others (research outcomes not owned by the applicant)
    4. Contributions to increasing research integrity, and improving research culture (equity-informed practices, team diversity, reward and recognition of researchers’ various activities)
    5. Organization of events that have benefited your research or professional community
    6. Knowledge dissemination/translation (including, but not limited to: art, music, video, social media, blog posts, podcasts, peer-reviewed publications, peer-reviewing publications, publication editorships, conference/convention/symposium presentations, conference/convention/symposium organizing, invited lectures/lessons/keynotes, etc.)
  3. Impact in community service
    1. Contribution of activities to the community-at-large
    2. Impacts across community, policy, practice and business
    3. Engagement and partnership communities, nonprofits, industry or the private sector
    4. Engagement with the public sector, clients and the broader public
    5. Knowledge dissemination/translation (including but not limited to: art, music, video, social media, blog posts, podcasts, peer reviewed publications, peer-reviewing publications, publication editorships, conference/convention/symposium presentations, conference/convention/symposium organizing, invited lectures/lessons/keynotes, etc.)
  4. Engagement with the Indigenous Strategic Plan
    1. How do you engage with Braiding Past, Present and Future: University of Alberta’s Indigenous Strategic Plan or the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action (2016)? 
  5. Engagement with equity, diversity and inclusion
    1. How do you engage with the institutional commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion?
  6. Project or Planned Activities Description
    1. Innovation in the project of planned activities
    2. Impact of the project or planned activities on student learning and alignment with the institutional strategic plan(s). 

Note:  Funds in the amount of $20,000/annum during the first and any second term for up to five years total, will be available for approved research and/or creative scholarly activities. The funds may be used for a variety of purposes and in a combination of ways. No portion of the award may be taken as salary for the recipient. Funds are to be discontinued if a University of Alberta Distinguished Professor vacates the position for any reason other than approved sabbatical leave.

The university communities are encouraged to support applications for these awards as part of our commitment to inclusive faculty excellence.

SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION

Phase 1
The multi-modal submission for consideration for the University of Alberta Distinguished Professor (UADP) shall include: 

  1. Narrative CV (maximum 7 pages)
  2. Project or Planned Activities Description and Budget
  3. Names of 3 references (including, but not limited to: students, supervisors, colleagues, community-at-large members, etc.) 

NOTE: The adjudication committee will contact the references of the long-listed applicants

TEMPLATE Narrative CV, Budget & References (Awards for Faculty Excellence UADP)

Modality Formatting Guidelines
Using a chosen submission modality* (e.g. video, text, multimedia, etc) and language** please follow the guidelines below when completing your application: 

Text: adherence to the following guidelines ensures reader accessibility: 

  • Typed, single space
  • Calibri, 11 point font
  • Standard letter size (8x11)
  • 1-inch margins 
  • Accessible PDF document

Video: there is no minimum requirement (maximum 5 minutes)

* If we haven’t yet thought of the way in which you would like to submit your Phase 1 application, please let us know at faculty.excellence.awards@ualberta.ca. 

** Translation services are available upon request at no cost.

Submit your completed application using the Submit Application Now button below by no later than 12:00 p.m. MT on Monday, April 8, 2024. A hard copy is not required.  

Submit Application Now

Phase 2
All applicants will be contacted following the Awards for Faculty Excellence Adjudication Committee adjudication meeting. Additional materials supporting the application reflecting the applicants teaching, research and service may be solicited from the long listed candidates.

Please contact faculty.excellence.awards@ualberta.ca should you have any difficulties with your submission.

SELECTION PROCESS

Awards for Faculty Excellence Adjudication Committee

The quorum for the Committee shall be that only one member may be absent from any meeting where decisions are made. Its proceedings are to be confidential.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Training 

The University of Alberta will provide training on equity, diversity and inclusion-including instructions on limiting the impact of conscious and unconscious bias-to all individuals involved in the adjudication process.

Announcement of the Award

The appointment will be formally recognized at the annual Celebrate! Teaching. Learning. Research event.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

A final report on the University of Alberta Distinguished Professor project or planned activities is due within three months of the end of the term.

There is no template for the final report. A brief summary (up to 4 pages) highlighting the project activities and the outcomes realized during the term is sufficient for final reporting purposes. An electronic copy of the report should be sent to the Vice-Provost (Learning Initiatives) at faculty.excellence.awards@ualberta.ca.