Faculty of Arts Awards and Celebration of Excellence

Can be awarded to emerging and established faculty, graduate students, alumni, and staff:

1. Contribution to changes in understanding, attitudes, or values specifically within the discipline or role and beyond; or
2. Contribution to lasting changes in the lives of individuals, communities, and the Faculty or University.

• Nominees can be nominated once per year (in any category).
• Nominees will not have received a Faculty of Arts award in the previous year.     
• Nominees must be aware of and involved in the nomination (nominations are not anonymous).
• The nominee’s head/director/manager should be made aware of the nomination, if applicable.
• Incomplete nomination packages will not be considered.

Nomination Deadline: December 23, 2026

• Provides evidence of sustained impact and influence of nominee’s contributions. Demonstrates changes in understanding, attitudes, or values specifically within the discipline or beyond.
• Demonstrates impact of new idea, method, theory, finding, or initiative, to make a meaningful change in the condition of individuals or communities.
• Aligns with faculty and university values/priorities, where applicable. 

Up to a 1000 word statement (or a maximum 5 minute audio or video submission that is not professionally edited)  describing how the nominee's achievements fit the award type and criteria, how the nominee’s leadership, mentorship, discovery, or creativity advance Faculty/institutional values and priorities, and incorporate how the nominee advances equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in their practice, where applicable.

Can be awarded to emerging and established faculty, graduate students, alumni, and staff:

Recognizes outstanding mentorship of colleagues, staff, undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, or community. This award may go to an individual or team who has shown outstanding leadership within and/or external to the university or to their discipline in the areas of teaching, research, creative practice, operations, or community engagement. 

• Nominees can be nominated once per year (in any category).
• Nominees will not have received a Faculty of Arts award in the previous year.     
• Nominees must be aware of and involved in the nomination (nominations are not anonymous).
• The nominee’s head/director/manager should be made aware of the nomination, if applicable.
• Incomplete nomination packages will not be considered.

Nomination Deadline: December 23, 2026

• Demonstrates record of strong mentorship.
• Demonstrates that the nominee’s activities and initiatives led to a significant contribution to the Faculty, the University, and/or broader community.
• For the Graduate Supervision Award
  • Provides evidence of outstanding graduate supervision that includes student outcomes, mentorship quality and supports for professional development

Aligns with faculty and university values/priorities, where applicable. 

Up to a 1000 word statement (or a maximum 5 minute audio or video submission that is not professionally edited)  describing how the nominee's achievements fit the award type and criteria, how the nominee’s leadership, mentorship, discovery, or creativity advance Faculty/institutional values and priorities, and incorporate how the nominee advances equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in their practice, where applicable. 

Can be awarded to emerging and established faculty, graduate students, alumni, and staff:

Recognizes creative contributions or bodies of work in teaching, research, practice, operations, and community engagement. 

• Nominees can be nominated once per year (in any category).
• Nominees will not have received a Faculty of Arts award in the previous year.     
• Nominees must be aware of and involved in the nomination (nominations are not anonymous).
• The nominee’s head/director/manager should be made aware of the nomination, if applicable.
• Incomplete nomination packages will not be considered.

Nomination Deadline: December 23, 2026

• Describes the creative contribution and how it has furthered teaching, research, creative practice, operations, and community engagement
• Evidence of recognition from peers and/or audiences of artistic work (e.g., through exhibition, publication, presentation, or performance), if applicable.
• Aligns with faculty and university values/priorities, where applicable. 

Up to a 1000 word statement (or a maximum 5 minute audio or video submission that is not professionally edited)  describing how the nominee's achievements fit the award type and criteria, how the nominee’s leadership, mentorship, discovery, or creativity advance Faculty/institutional values and priorities, and incorporate how the nominee advances equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in their practice, where applicable. 

Can be awarded to established faculty, alumni, and staff:

Recognizes outstanding contributions made over the person’s career in one or more of the following categories: research and creation, teaching and learning, and/or academic leadership and community engagement. This award can also be for exceptional contributions towards leadership, communication, and engagement and support of others.

• Nominees can be nominated once per year (in any category).
• Nominees will not have received a Faculty of Arts award in the previous year.     
• Nominees must be aware of and involved in the nomination (nominations are not anonymous).
• The nominee’s head/director/manager should be made aware of the nomination, if applicable.
• Incomplete nomination packages will not be considered.

Nomination Deadline: December 23, 2026

• Demonstrates distinguished record of achievements in teaching and learning, academic leadership, research and creativity, operations and community engagement
  • Examples include, but are not limited to: contributed to positive and lasting change in their workplace or community, spearheaded an initiative that benefited their colleagues and peers, their work has contributed greatly to the advancement of their field, contributed to the improvement of post-secondary education, leadership has had a positive and lasting impact beyond the University.
• Describes the impact of the nominee’s achievements and career on the Faculty, their discipline, their department, or the broader community.
• Aligns with faculty and university values/priorities, where applicable

Up to a 1000 word statement (or a maximum 5 minute audio or video submission that is not professionally edited)  describing how the nominee's achievements fit the award type and criteria, how the nominee’s leadership, mentorship, discovery, or creativity advance Faculty/institutional values and priorities, and incorporate how the nominee advances equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in their practice, where applicable.