Chairs in University Teaching
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

No. While both initiatives encourage innovation in University teaching, they are separate programs. Chairholders are first and foremost ambassadors of instructional excellence and play and active role in promoting innovative teaching and learning practices across all sectors of the University community. Chairholders are expected to undertake projects that go beyond the course level and have a larger impact on their Faculty and University community. As the term is three years in length, Chairholders are expected to contribute to the scholarly development of university teaching through the dissemination of their research, involvement in the Centre for University Teaching’s faculty development programming and/or the development of resources.

All tenured University of Ottawa professors are eligible to apply for a Chair in University Teaching regardless of their discipline, as long as they demonstrate a strong interest in University teaching and/or pedagogies specific to their disciplines.

A teaching dossier is a comprehensive document that outlines, among other things: your perspectives on both teaching and learning, your teaching approach and goals, evidence of reflective practice and the effects of your teaching, your accomplishments and your contributions to teaching and learning in your department, institution and/or discipline.

Commonly a teaching dossier will contain sections on:

• Approach to teaching (such as a teaching philosophy and a description of the ways you teach);
• Teaching responsibilities (such as courses taught and advisory responsibilities);
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness (such as evaluations, feedback, student work, and awards);
• Teaching contributions (such as innovations in the field, service, educational leadership and scholarship).

Contact the Centre for University Teaching (CUT) for more information about the development of a teaching dossier or to set up a consultation with a member of the Centre who can help you throughout the development process.

The Selection Committee shall be composed of members from various sectors of the University community including:

• Associate Vice-President, Teaching and Learning Support (committee chair);
• Associate Vice-President, Academic (or a representative);
• Associate Vice-President, Research (or a representative);
• One dean;
• Two Faculty members (one from the humanities and one from the sciences); and
• A representative of the Centre for University Teaching.

Two additional Chairs will be awarded in 2013. The introduction of additional Chairs in 2014 will be based on available funding.