CBU Researchers Recognized with President’s Awards in Research

Cape Breton University President and Vice-Chancellor, David C. Dingwall, is pleased to announce the recipients of the President’s Awards in Research. The late Dr. Margaret Dechman is honoured with the President’s Award for Excellence in Research, while Dr. Bettina Callary is the recipient of the President’s Award for a Rising Researcher.

Dr. Margaret Dechman

President’s Award for Excellence in Research

The late Dr. Margaret Dechman is recognized for her research to support inclusive communities. Her research in addictions has been instrumental in shifting perceptions and discourses away from pathologizing addictions and toward harm reduction and community-based support for people living with addictions. As an advocate for marginalized populations, she used her position as a teaching academic to provide a voice for the voiceless and inspired her students, colleagues and communities to take notice. This award by President Dingwall cements and celebrates her research legacy. Dr. Dechman passed away in November 2020.

“Our colleague, Dr. Margaret Dechman, was an outstanding academic, community member and researcher. She was well-known as a champion for social justice and an advocate for the socially excluded,” says President Dingwall. “Her research will provide a strong foundation for programs to support healthy and inclusive communities into the future.”

Dr. Bettina Callary

President’s Award for a Rising Researcher

Dr. Bettina Callary, Tier II Canada Research Chair in Sport Coaching and Adult Learning, is a champion for healthy communities. Dr. Callary is contributing to research excellence at CBU, securing funding in 2019 to develop the Community Active Sport Training and Learning (CoASTaL) Lab. Her research focus is the development of coach learning and coaching effectiveness, with particular attention on underrepresented and understudied populations, such as older adults (Masters) athletes, women in coaching and Indigenous youth sport coaching and participation.

Dr. Callary’s research is current and relevant, responding to recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission related to sport in Indigenous communities. Working with the Unama’ki Surf Camp, Dr. Callary is examining opportunities to develop holistic pathways to Indigenous sports participation.

Dr. Callary is working with the UK Strength & Conditioning Association and is Editor-in-Chief of the International Sport Coaching Journal. She’s a trained coach developer through the International Council for Coaching Excellence, as well as the National Coaching Certification Program and Alpine Canada.

“Dr. Callary is achieving great success early in her academic career with a research program that touches on important priorities, not only at CBU but on national and international research stages,” says President Dingwall. “She is well-deserving of recognition from CBU and the broader community as a rising researcher. I have no doubt she will continue to reach new heights.”

The President’s Awards for Research are based on nominations from colleagues and students at CBU. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to nominate and celebrate research excellence at CBU!