CPSA Prize for Teaching Excellence
The CPSA Prize for Teaching Excellence has been established to recognize the contributions of political scientists to excellence in teaching and student learning. The prize is awarded every year.
Rules 2025
- Eligibility:
Nominees must teach at a Canadian university, be members of the CPSA (2025), and have taught as primary instructors on a full-time basis for at least five years. Award recipients may not receive the award more than once.
Candidates can self-nominate or be nominated by any CPSA members who are familiar with the candidate’s teaching, including departmental chairs and departmental faculty colleagues. In the latter case, the nominator must fill out a nomination form and have the nomination accepted by the nominee. - Format nomination packages as follows:
Nomination packages must be typed in Times Roman 11 font, single spaced with strict adherence to the maximum page limits noted below. The nomination package will include, in the order that follows:
- A CV outlining key accomplishments as a researcher and teacher (five pages).
b. A statement that characterizes the nominee’s teaching philosophy, connecting this to specific discussion of effective innovation in teaching practices, and/or effective teaching and learning leadership and/or contributions to the scholarship of teaching and learning (two pages).
c. A one-page table listing all courses taught by the nominee in each of the last five years.
d. A copy of the teaching evaluation tool.
e. Full evaluation data (including complete student comments) for two courses preferably of different grade levels.
f. A letter of support from the nominee’s department chair or, alternatively, from any one of the nominee’s departmental colleagues (2 pages).
g. Letters from three former students that discuss how the nominee’s teaching shaped their learning, perspective, and career trajectory (2 pages each).
h. Appendices with evidence to support the criteria listed below and which may include scholarship of teaching and learning, evidence of teaching awards, evaluation of teaching workshops, etc.
i. A statement summarizing key achievements related to teaching (optional).
- For the Terms of Reference, please click HERE.
- The deadline for submissions is December 10, 2024.
- The winner will be announced at the 2025 CPSA Conference.
- To nominate an individual, the package (digital version) must be emailed to each member of the Prize Jury (click on their names below to access their e-mail addresses), and to the CPSA Prize Team (cpsaprizes@cpsa-acsp.ca). Subject line: CPSA TEACHING EXCELLENCE PRIZE – CANDIDATE’S FIRST NAME, LAST NAME.
Members of the 2025 prize jury: TBD
2024 CPSA Prize for Teaching Excellence
Dr. Vézina is a passionate teacher with a strong service to her community, as demonstrated by her engagement at her dep…
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Gabriel Eidelman provides outstanding evidence of effective and innovative teaching. His focus on experimental- and com. . .
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Tracey Raney is an innovator in political science teaching. Along with former MP Peggy Nash, Raney co-created Ryerson’s . . . .
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Aaron Ettinger has shown immense commitment to diversifying the IR discipline. This is seen in his publications on IR pedagogy. . . .
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Isabelle Côté has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to teaching and learning. She has engaged her . . .
Read More2019 CPSA Prize for Teaching Excellence
Dr. Loleen Berdahl is a reflective and dedicated teacher who has had a profound impact on her students at the University of Saskatchewan.
Read More2018 CPSA Prize for Teaching Excellence
Dr. Sens’ pedagogical innovations include the adoption of flipped classrooms, active learning exercises . . .
Read More2016 CPSA Prize for Teaching Excellence
Dietlind Stolle’s teaching style has been described as imaginative, and even daring, by her colleagues and . . .
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Dr. Mark Salter is an exceptional teacher. He seeks to support students in their learning through an . . .
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