Cape Breton University Recognizes Research and Teaching Excellence

Cape Breton University recently presented its annual research and teaching awards for 2023, honouring faculty achievements across five categories.

The Margaret Dechman Community-Engaged Research Champion Award was presented to Dr. Rod Beresford. An expert in marine biology, Dr. Beresford has been studying the presence of a parasite in the Brasd’Or Lakes that took hold in 2001 and virtually eliminated the oyster population. He continues to work with Mi’kmaq communities, who are gaining success in the recovery of the species for its cultural significance and for revival of commercial operations. Dr. Beresford was joined by research partners from the Mi’kmaq community of Potlotek during the awards event. He was commended for capturing the spirit of the award with research that is community-led, culturally safe, participatory, action-oriented and centred on lived and living experience, the benchmarks on which the award was established.

Dr. Tanya Brann-Barrett, Associate Vice-President, Academic and Research, says the research and teaching awards hold special significance as CBU celebrates its anniversary milestone.

“We are proud to recognize our faculty for their dedication to research and teaching,” said Dr. Brann-Barrett. “The award recipients embody a culture of excellence that has been nurtured throughout our 50-year history.”

The awards also featured the President’s Award for Research Excellence, presented to Dr. Ken Oakes, an environmental scientist who was instrumental in remediation efforts in the Boat Harbour, Nova Scotia estuary. Dr. Oakes continues to be a sought-after expert to support a range of environmental research pursuits. The President’s Award for a Rising Researcher was presented to Dr. Tom Ue, who is gaining recognition as an international expert in English Literature.

Teaching awards were presented to Dr. Jonathan Doering and Dr, Felix Odartey-Wellington, with Dr. Doering being honoured with CBU’s Instructional Leadership Award. Dr. Doering is a key contributor to conversations and professional development around generative Artificial Intelligence in academic writing. Dr. Odarety-Wellington was presented with the Alumni Association’s Distinguished Teaching Award, having received nominations from both faculty and students. Dr. Odartey-Wellington is an associate professor of communication and celebrated mentor among students and colleagues.

President and Vice-Chancellor David C. Dingwall honoured the recipients with words of appreciation and respect to the honourees. “As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we reflect on the transformative impact our educators and researchers have had, both inside and outside of the classroom,” President Dingwall shared. “Your innovative, collaborative and inspiring work is the foundation of those impacts.”

Congratulations to the recipients of CBU’s research and teaching awards!