Panel Formed to Review Science at Guelph
October 18, 2012 - Campus Bulletin
An external panel has begun its work to review science teaching and research at Guelph.
Maureen Mancuso, provost and vice-president (academic), announced last October that, as part of its Integrated Plan, the University would begin a review to develop a strategic vision for science teaching and research.
The panel will make recommendations on where and how U of G should position its science teaching and research efforts to build on historical strengths and to take advantage of opportunities.
“U of G, from its founding, has always been a science-intensive institution,” Mancuso says.
Science permeates every college of the University in widely varying programs and activities, and at least half of campus members teach and conduct research in fundamental and applied science, she says.
“This is a critical mass in the best sense, but with this breadth comes the challenge to ensure that we are focused in our efforts to teach and research about science in an effective and co-ordinated way.”
Panel members are Michael Isaacson, former dean of applied science, University of British Columbia; Nancy Tout,
head of regulatory and biological assessment, Syngenta Canada; Arthur Carty, former national science adviser to the PMO and currently executive director, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo; and Allison Sekuler, Canada Research Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience and associate vice-president and dean, School of Graduate Studies, McMaster University. Isaacson will chair the panel.
Its mandate includes the following:
• assessing the administration and management of existing science programs;
• developing a strategic science vision to guide planning and resource allocation over the next decade;
• determining how to maintain global leadership in key areas;
• reviewing strategies of other science-intensive universities; and
• developing benchmarks to assess progress toward meeting recommendations.
The review panel will consult with the campus community, especially faculty, staff and students in U of G’s science programs.
Currently, the reviewers are reading and digesting background information, including the University’s Integrated Plan, the Strategic Research Plan, college plans, and annual reports of University centres and institutes.
The reviewers will visit campus in mid-November to hear directly from faculty, staff and students in a series of meetings and town hall sessions. Look for notices on the University home page under “Events” for details.
Preliminary findings and recommendations are expected by the beginning of April and will be used to inform future directions for science at Guelph.
