Every year, the Faculty of Social Sciences proudly recognizes the excellence of its professors and administrative staff by granting Faculty awards. Here is the list of the 2021 award recipients. Congratulations to all!
Please note that all testimonies are provided in the recipients' language of choice.
Excellence in Teaching Award
The Excellence in Teaching Award is granted to a member of the teaching staff, nominated by his or her peers, who has demonstrated outstanding performance in his or her teaching, in particular in the development of innovative teaching material, courses, and programs of study, and for his or her interpersonal skills.
"Receiving this award makes me even more grateful for our fantastic students who inspire and teach me new things each day. I am particularly heartened that this award is given in recognition of the kind of teaching that places value on lived experience of our students, who are striving to learn amidst a global pandemic, and concurrent political and environmental crises."
Larisa Kurtovic
School of Sociological and Anthropological Studies
Young Researcher Award
The Young Researcher Award is presented annually to a member of the teaching staff who has earned distinction for his or her unit and Faculty as a result of the importance and exceptional characteristics of his or her research work.
“I am honoured to receive the 2021 FSS Young Researcher Award. I have been a member of the UOttawa community since 2017 and have absolutely loved being a part of this team! I work with fantastic students, wonderful colleagues, and outstanding staff that make this career fun and rewarding!”
Erin Maloney
School of Psychology
Excellence in Research Award
The Faculty of Social Sciences’ Excellence in Research Award is granted to a member of the teaching personnel who has earned distinction for his or her unit and Faculty because of the importance and exceptional characteristics of his or her research work.
“I’m grateful to the many collaborators (scholars, practitioners and students in Canada and around the world) who have supported and guided me in my research, and to the colleagues who nominated me for this award. I have the privilege of carrying out research that informs gender equality in policy and practice, while also advancing feminist theory and methods. Research fulfills my curiosity of the world, allowing me to engage in mutual learning with people who inspire me.”
Rebecca Tiessen
School of International Development and Global Studies
Award for Activities in the Media or the Community
The Activities in the Media or the Community Award is presented annually to a member of the teaching staff who has demonstrated outstanding service by sharing his or her expertise through the media or with the community, both locally and nationally.
“I am extremely honoured to receive the Award for Activities in the Media or the Community 2021 by the Faculty of Social Sciences! I am very grateful for all the opportunities that I have had to share my research findings with the public through the media, and to engage in outreach and educational activities in the community. All these opportunities have been extremely rewarding and I look forward to engaging in them even more!”
Nafissa Ismail
School of Psychology
Award for Activities in the Media or the Community
The Activities in the Media or the Community Award is presented annually to a member of the teaching staff who has demonstrated outstanding service by sharing his or her expertise through the media or with the community, both locally and nationally.
"So much of what we do in the ivory tower remains mysterious and unknown to the general public. By taking our work to the community and media, we have a chance to get people excited about the important research we do. I am very honored to be recognized for my role in this process."
Monnica Williams
School of Psychology
Part-Time Professor of the Year Award
The Part-Time Professor of the Year Award was created in recognition of the contribution of the members of the Association of Part-Time Professors of the University of Ottawa (APTPUO) to university education.
"I am truly honoured to be recognized with the Faculty of Social Sciences’ Part-Time Professor of the Year Award for 2021 and grateful to my wonderful colleagues and students for their support. Anthropology and teaching are my passions – how lucky I am to be able to do both! I am dedicated to developing experiential learning activities that spark students’ interest and enable them to see the importance of anthropology in our society, with the hope it will inspire them to face the challenges of our modern world. I am a compassionate teacher because I want students to be able to demonstrate their potential but have learned over the years that they can face very difficult circumstances, especially with the challenges and isolation that Covid-19 can bring."
Pauline McKenzie Aucoin
School of Sociological and Anthropological Studies
Award for Service Excellence
The Award for Service Excellence is granted to a member of the administrative staff to tangibly recognize the importance of quality service excellence in the student experience. The award recognizes the key role that employees play in positions geared toward service.
“I am deeply touched and moved to be the recipient of this award for 2021. I greatly appreciate the recognition and thank those who contributed to my nomination. It is an honour to work with such dedicated colleagues.”
Brigitte Génier St-Jean
Marketing and Communications
Administrative Staff Award
The Administrative Staff Award is granted to a member of the administrative staff that has contributed to the betterment of the Faculty and the unit in which he or she works, through his or her initiative, creativity and superior performance.
For several years now, Mourad has shown great initiative as a senior programmer, but the year 2020 is, without a doubt, a landmark year in terms of his achievements within the Faculty. Indeed, the projects have been numerous and complex and Mourad has led them head on with the dynamism, professionalism and rigor that we know him for.
Mourad Belkebir
Senior Programmer Analyst Webmaster