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REACH Awards

The REACH Awards recognize outstanding achievement at the University of Victoria. We honour the extraordinary teachers and researchers who lead the way in dynamic learning and make a vital impact at UVic, in the classroom and beyond.

Research awards

The details of the REACH Awards for research, including the nomination process, are handled by the Office of the VP Research and Innovation.

David H. Turpin Gold Medal for Career Achievement in Research

A gold medal and $1,000 research grant will be awarded for a distinguished record of creative activity, including artistic expression, which has substantially advanced the discipline. This award honours lifetime achievement.

Guidelines for David H. Turpin Gold Medal for Career Achievement in Research

REACH Silver Medal for Excellence in Research

A silver medal and $1,000 research grant will be awarded for excellence in research or creative activity, including artistic expression.

Guidelines for REACH Silver Medal for Excellence in Research

REACH Award for Excellence in Knowledge Mobilization

This award in the amount of a $1,000 research grant recognizes a specific project, product, service or body of work that demonstrates excellence in Knowledge Mobilization (KM). KM is defined as the purposeful communication, exchange and application of knowledge developed through an ongoing process of research and/or creative and artistic endeavour for the benefit of society.

Guidelines for REACH Award for Excellence in Knowledge Mobilization

REACH Award for Excellence in Creativity and Artistic Expression

This award in the amount of a $1,000 research grant recognizes a significant project or body of work that furthers knowledge or awareness of the human condition. Nominations are encouraged from the creative, visual and performing arts, scholarship on the arts, and research on all aspects of arts and culture.

Guidelines for REACH Award for Excellence in Creativity and Artistic Expression

REACH Award for Excellence in Research Partnerships

This award in the amount of a $1,000 research grant recognizes research excellence as demonstrated through scholarly contributions and societal impact, jointly achieved by a UVic researcher in collaboration with an external research partner.

Guidelines for REACH Award for Excellence in Research Partnerships

Teaching awards

The details of the REACH Awards for teaching, including the nomination process, are handled by the Division of Learning and Teaching Support and Innovation (LTSI).

Harry Hickman Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching and Educational Leadership

The Harry Hickman Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching and Educational Leadership bears the name of a distinguished scholar, teacher and principal of Victoria College. He was acting president of the University of Victoria, and head of the Modern Languages and French departments. This award recognizes faculty members who have demonstrated excellence in teaching and educational leadership.

Gilian Sherwin Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching

The Gilian Sherwin Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching bears the name of a former senior lab instructor in the Geography department. For 21 years, Sherwin was a strong supporter of better teaching at the university, an active member of the advisory committee of the Learning and Teaching Centre, and a regular participant in the training of teaching assistants. This award is a tribute to Sherwin’s commitment to the art of teaching and the influence she had on many students and colleagues. Sessional instructors, lab instructors and senior lab Instructors are eligible for this award.

Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Supervision and Mentorship

The purpose of the Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Supervision and Mentorship is to recognize graduate-level supervision and mentorship that fosters intellectual, professional and personal development of graduate students at UVic.

Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research-Enriched Teaching

The Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research-Enriched Teaching recognizes exceptional contributions by a faculty member in bringing research alive in the classroom by exposing students to the intellectual stimulation of UVic's research culture. This includes providing undergraduates with opportunities to engage in research and learn research-related habits and aptitudes including curiosity, systematic problem solving, information acquisition and organization, analysis, communication and continuous learning.

Award for Excellence in Teaching for Experiential Learning

Our vision at UVic is for all students to engage in hands-on, dynamic learning to achieve personal growth and career success. Experiential learning is an essential pathway to achieving this vision. The Award for Excellence in Teaching for Experiential Learning recognizes UVic educators who excel at putting students on this pathway.

Andy Farquharson Teaching Excellence Award for Graduate Students

The Andy Farquharson Teaching Excellence Award is named after a past Director of the Learning and Teaching Centre. It is for registered graduate students who have excelled in their teaching during the preceding calendar year. This category is open to graduate students who are teaching assistants, lab instructors or senior lab instructors.

Provost’s advocacy & activism awards

The Provost’s Advocacy and Activism Awards in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion awards recognize the achievements of individuals or groups in the university community (current students, faculty, staff and alumni) who demonstrate dedication to the advancement of social equity through advocacy and/or activism. These awards also celebrate individuals or groups who go beyond the expectations of one’s job, position or responsibility to advance the rights of others.

How to nominate

Please refer to the individual award guidelines for nomination terms and requirements. Nominations for the 2023 awards will open in March.

Past recipients

See the list of past recipients of teaching awards for faculty.

2022 award presentations