Faculty Honours and Awards

The Faculty of Social Science is home to many award winning and highly-distinguished academics, recognized for their research contributions and teaching ability. 


External

The Royal Society of Canada

The Royal Society of Canada (RSC): The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada was established under an Act of Parliament in 1883 as Canada’s National Academy, the senior collegium of distinguished scholars, artists and scientists in the country. 

Fellows of the Royal Society:

  • Isaac Luginaah, Geography (2023)
  • Alan MacEachern, History (2023) 
  • William Fisher, Psychology (2022)
  • Adrian Owen, Psychology (2022)
  • Lisa Saksida, Psychology (2020)
  • Jonathan Vance, History (2008)
  • Maya Shatzmiller, History (2003)
  • Mel Goodale, Psychology (2001)
  • Ian Steele, History (1998)
  • Regna Darnell, Anthropology (1996)
  • Gordon McBean, Geography (1993)
  • Peter Howitt, Economics (1992)
  • Joy Parr, Geography (1992)
  • John Whalley, Economics (1986)
  • Ronald Wonnacott, Economics (1983)
  • David Laidler, Economics (1982)
  • James Melvin, Economics (1982)
  • Tom Courchene, Economics (1981)
  • Allan Paivio, Psychology (1978)
  • J.R. Lander, History (1976)
  • Grant Reuber, Economics (1972)

The College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists represents the emerging generation of scholarly, scientific and artistic leadership in Canada.

  • Jessica Grahn, Psychology (2020)
  • William Turkel, History (2018)
  • Laura Huey, Sociology (2017)
  • Bipasha Baruah, Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies (2015)
  • Joanna Quinn, Political Science (2015)
  • Chantelle Richmond, Geography & Environment (2015)
  • Daniel Ansari, Psychology (2014)
  • Isaac Luginaah, Geography & Environment (2014)
3M National Teaching Fellowship

The 3M National Teaching Fellowship is Canada’s most prestigious recognition of excellence in educational leadership and teaching at the university and college level.

  • Wendy Pearson, Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies (2019)
  • Anton Allahar, Sociology (2005)
  • Mike Atkinson, Psychology (1998)
  • Don Cartwright, Geography & Environment (1996)
  • Harry Murray, Psychology (1992)

University-level Awards

Distinguished University Professors

Established in 2005, The Distinguished University Professor Award recognizes sustained excellence in scholarship over a substantial career at Western.

  • Isaac Luginaah, Geography & Environment (2022)
  • David Sherry, Psychology (2019)
  • Jonathan Vance, History (2012)
  • Richard Vernon, Political Science (2009)
  • William Fisher, Psychology (2008)
  • Mel Goodale, Psychology (2007)
  • Regna Darnell, Anthropology (2005)

Faculty Scholars Award

Established in 2005, the Faculty Scholars Award recognizes significant recent scholarly achievements in teaching or research.

  • Christopher Alcantara, Faculty of Social Science (2024)
  • Samantha Joel, Faculty of Social Science (2024) 
  • Agnieszka Leszczynski, Faculty of Social Science (2024) 
  • Bonnie Simpson, Faculty of Social Science (2024)
  • Kaitlynn Mendes, Sociology (2023)
  • Andrea Waters-Rist, Anthropology (2023)
  • Kate Choi, Sociology (2022)
  • Ryan Stevenson, Psychology (2022)
  • Juan Carlos Hatchondo, Economics (2021)
  • Lisa Hodgetts, Anthropology (2021)
  • Anna Zajacova, Sociology (2021)
  • Erin Heerey, Psychology (2020)
  • Julie Schermer, DAN Department of Management & Organizational Studies (2020)
  • Godwin Arku, Geography (2019)
  • Shelley McKellar, History (2019)
  • Laura Stephenson, Political Science (2019)
  • Rachel Margolis, Sociology (2018)
  • Salvador Navarro, Economics (2018)
  • Mark Cleveland, DAN Department of Management & Organizational Studies (2017)
  • Laura Huey, Sociology (2017)
  • Robert MacDougall, History (2017)
  • Bipasha Baruah, Women’s Studies & Feminist Research (2016)
  • Jessica Grahn, Psychology (2016)
  • Chantelle Richmond, Geography (2016)
  • Kim Clark, Anthropology (2015)
  • Timothy Conley, Economics (2015)
  • Paul Gribble, Psychology (2015)
  • Marc Joanisse, Psychology (2014)
  • Stefan Kohler, Psychology (2014)
  • Elizabeth Hayden, Psychology (2013)
  • Lorne Campbell, Psychology (2012)
  • Jason Gilliland, Geography (2012)
  • Lance Lochner, Economics (2012)
  • Joanna Quinn, Political Science (2012)
  • Daniel Ansari, Psychology (2011)
  • Victoria Esses, Psychology (2010)
  • Stephen Lomber, Psychology (2010)
  • Todd Stinebrickner, Economics (2010)
  • Isaac Luginaah, Geography (2009)
  • Daniele Belanger, Sociology (2008)
  • Jody Culham, Psychology (2008)
  • Anton Allahar, Sociology (2007)
  • Scott MacDougall-Shackleton, Psychology (2007)
  • James Voogt, Geography (2007)
  • Audra Bowlus, Economics (2006)
  • Julie McMullin, Sociology (2006)
  • Peter Ashmore, Geography (2005)
  • David Dozois, Psychology (2005)
  • Andrew Nelson, Anthropology (2005)

The Hellmuth Prizes for Achievement in Research

The Hellmuth Prizes for Achievement in Research recognizes and celebrates the research achievements of our most distinguished faculty members.

  • Maya Shatzmiller, History (2018)
  • Bob Young, Political Science (2015)
  • Adrian Owen, Psychology (2013)
  • John Meyer, Psychology (2012)
  • John Whalley, Economics (2009)
  • William Fisher, Psychology (2007)
  • Mel Goodale, Psychology (2006)
  • Joy Parr, Geography (2006)
  • Richard Vernon, Political Science (2005)
  • Regna Darnell, Anthropology (2000)
  • David Laidler, Economics (1999)
  • Ian Steele, History (1997)

The Angela Armitt Award for Excellence in Teaching by Part-Time Faculty

The Angela Armitt Award for Excellence in Teaching by Part-Time Faculty was established to recognize Part-Time members of faculty.

  • Lauren Barr, Sociology (2020)
  • Marla Wolf, Psychology (2011)
  • Nigmenda Narain, Political Science (2005)

The Edward G. Pleva Award for Teaching

The Edward G. Pleva Award for Excellence in Teaching was established to recognize continuing members of full-time faculty.

  • Maria Ferraro, DAN Department of Management & Organizational Studies (2022)
  • Lisa Hodgetts, Anthropology (2018)
  • Ann Bigelow, DAN Department of Management & Organizational Studies (2015)
  • Wendy Pearson, Women's Studies and Feminist Research (2015)
  • Graham Smith, Geography (2010)
  • Richard Vernon, Political Science (2007)
  • Susan Pepper, Psychology (2006)
  • Martin Westmacott, Political Science (2006)
  • Michael Atkinson, Psychology (2005)
  • Jerry White, Sociology (1999)
  • Donald Cartwright, Geography (1995)
  • Mel Goodale, Psychology (1993)
  • William Fisher, Psychology (1988)
  • John Palmer, Economics (1987)
  • Anton Allahar, Sociology (1987)
  • Carole Farber, Anthropology (1980)
  • Harry Murray, Psychology (1980)

The Marilyn Robinson Award for Excellence in Teaching

The Marilyn Robinson Award for Excellence in Teaching was established to recognize a continuing member of full-time faculty who is appointed either as Limited Term or Probationary at Western or at an Affiliated University College.

  • Dan Bousfield, Political Science (2016-17)
  • Miranda Green-Barteet, Women's Studies and Feminish Research (2016-17)
  • Benjamin Lester, Economics (2010-11)
  • Kim Verwaayen, Women's Studies and Feminish Research (2008-09)

The Vice-Provost (Academic Programs) Award for Excellence in Collaborative Teaching

The Vice-Provost (Academic Programs) Award for Excellence in Collaborative Teaching recognizes instructors whose exemplary collaborations in university teaching enhance student learning.  

Western Award for Innovations in Technology-Enhanced Teaching

This award recognizes and rewards the contributions of faculty members who have significantly improved the experience and outcomes of their students through the intentional incorporation of technology into their teaching practice.

  • William Turkel, History (2021)

Visit the Centre for Teaching and Learning for more information on the Western Awards for Excellence in Teaching.

Faculty Awards

Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching

The Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching recognizes full-time faculty members who have demonstrated excellence in teaching.

  • Oleksa Drachewych (2023)
  • Paul Minda, Psychology (2020)
  • Jonathan Vance, History (2020)
  • Shahbaz Sheikh, DAN Department of Management & Organizational Studies (2018)
  • Lisa Hodgetts, Department of Anthropology (2017)
  • Jeff Hopkins, Department of Geography (2016)
  • Andrew Sancton, Department of Political Science (2016)
  • David Sherry, Department of Psychology (2016)