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.

Applications closed June 1, 2023 at 4:00 p.m..

Selection guidelines

As outlined in the UAPPOL Application and Selection Procedure*, the following will be used when developing 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).

* Updated April 17, 2023

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. Impact of incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing, doing, teaching, learning, and being (Braiding Past, Present and Future: University of Alberta’s Indigenous Strategic Plan).
    6. 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.).
  2. Impact of research activities (Please 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)
  3. Impact in community service
    1. Contribution of activities to the community-at-large
    2. 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.)

At least 3 of 5 criteria
Note:  In addition to the criteria above related to Teaching, Research, and Community Service, applicants can meet 3 of the remaining 5 criteria. These criteria are presented as discrete categories for administrative ease; in many instances, there may be overlap between the work and impact in the different areas of contribution and impact.

  1. Impact on the advancement of equity, diversity and inclusion across: teaching, research, student supervision,leadership and mentorship, and community service
  2. Impact on the advancement of indigenous initiatives and responding the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action across: teaching, research, student supervision,leadership and mentorship, and community service
  3. 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
  4. Impact of leadership/mentorship
    1. Engagement in leadership and/or service activities
      • Descriptions of how/if these activities link to the applicant's disciplinary research and/or teaching
    2. Contributions of activities to students, peers, and/or the University of Alberta
  5. Notable contribution to your field

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.

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 announced at the annual Celebrate! Teaching. Learning. Research event.