Advancing Creativity
On July 1, we will celebrate the 152nd anniversary of Canadian confederation, but also mark the promotion of 134 faculty members. These individuals are being recognized for their contributions to teaching, research and their profession. Through these activities, they have established themselves as national (in the case of associate professors) and international (in the case of full professors) experts in their fields. Their work drives our Faculty forward and brings considerable honour to the University.
Among those promoted, a few things stand out — in addition to the individuals themselves, each of whom is outstanding! First, we are nearing gender parity in academic promotions. Women accounted for 48 per cent of those promoted to full professor and 41.5 per cent of those promoted to associate professor. However, the fact we’re nearing gender parity and not at it shows we have more work to do. That is why I’m thankful for several undertakings in our Faculty, most notably in the Department of Medicine. Activities such as the annual Summit for Women in Academic Medicine, mentorship and unconscious bias training are important steps to overcoming the historic under-representation of women in senior faculty ranks.
I would also note that we are embracing demonstrated excellence in a variety of areas with greater enthusiasm. For example, 10 of the promoted candidates were recommended on sustained excellence in teaching alone. These individuals are celebrated, master clinician-teachers who have improved the educational experience through curriculum development, faculty training and other means. Creative professional activity (CPA) played a key role for 55 per cent of those promoted. CPA includes contributions to the development of professional practices, exemplary professional practice, and professional innovation and creative excellence. This important work advances our professions and inspires our students.
I want to thank everyone who supported this year’s promotions process, especially Professor Mary Jane Esplen for chairing our Decanal Promotions Committee, Libby Shirriff — our Academic Human Resources Coordinator — and the many Departmental Promotions Committees and staff. Thanks as well to our Provost Assessors, Professor Robert Reisz of UTM’s Department of Biology and Professor Ryan McClelland of the Faculty of Music, for their input and insights.
Academic promotions are an important milestone in the professional life of our faculty members, and we are proud to share the full list of promoted faculty online. Please join me in congratulating our colleagues on their well-deserved promotions. For those who may seek a promotion next year, I encourage you to speak to your chair. And, let us all think creatively about how we recognize and promote excellence.
Trevor Young
Dean, Faculty of Medicine
Vice Provost, Relations with Health Care Institutions
