The CCUBC - oCUBE Emerging Educational Leader (EEL) Award

This award recognizes outstanding contributions to biology education at a post-secondary institution in Canada. In recognition of the key importance of educational leadership in enhancing the teaching mission and student experience in biology education at higher education institutions in Canada, this award is presented jointly by the Canadian Council of University Biology Chairs (CCUBC) and the Open Consortium of Undergraduate Biology Educators (oCUBE).

Award Overview

This award celebrates emerging educational leaders, recognizing the importance of nurturing their development to be future biology educators, colleagues, and leaders who will excel in education research and teaching-focussed roles and contribute to scholarly communities such as oCUBE. 

Eligibility

The EEL award is intended for graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, lecturers or faculty members (including sessional instructors) within 10 years of completion of their graduate degree, having held an ongoing position for no more than three years (excluding periods of leaves and/or reduced teaching assignment). Individuals can be nominated more than once, but award recipients cannot be re-nominated. 

Award Details

Recipients of the EEL Award receive:

• An official certificate of recognition

• A monetary award of $1500 to offset travel costs to present at the annual CCUBC conference [this is the CCUBC monetary contribution; if applicable, some funds may be available through oCUBE to defray travel costs depending on the annual budget]

• An invitation to attend and present a seminar on their teaching and leadership work at the annual CCUBC conference (Nov. 12-14, 2026, Winnipeg) and the oCUBE UnConference (typically, the third week of May)

• 1-year free membership to oCUBE

• Mentoring through a network of educational leaders within oCUBE

Winners will have their name, photo, and nomination letter posted to the CCUBC website.

Nomination and Selection Process

Candidates can be nominated by peers, institutions, or through self-nomination. One recipient is chosen each year.

The award recipient will be chosen by a selection panel consisting of two members of the oCUB executive (chosen by the oCUBE executive) and two Biology Department Chair members of the CCUBC (chosen by the CCUBC executive). The panel, once constituted, may agree to include a former award winner on the selection panel. Nominations will normally be open in March and are due May 31st each year with the award anncouncement communicated by oCUBE and CCUBC by the end of August each year. 

Nominations must include:

• a nomination brief*–-written by the nominator–-that specifically speaks to the impact of the nominee’s contributions to the teaching and learning of biology (max. 2 pages)

• a current resume or curriculum vitae provided by the nominee

• a statement of educational leadership in biology written by the nominee (max. 2 pages)

• 1 letter of reference* (from a mentor/colleague other than the nominator and submitted confidentially to the selection committee by the referee). 

      *In the case of a self-nomination, two letters of reference are required. . 

To submit a nomination package, please email: ocubeorg@gmail.com with the Subject Line: "CCUBC- oCUBE EEL Award" by May 31st, each year. 

Award Selection/Evaluation Criteria

Nominees will be assessed based on the evidence provided in the nomination package and letter of reference. The selection panel will consider the impact of their contributions to biology teaching and learning, and their potential as future leaders for the promotion of excellence in biology teaching and learning at the post-secondary level, referring (but not limited) to the award criteria listed below.

Successful candidates will have made important contributions to the teaching and learning of biology at their institutions. This may be demonstrated in many ways, including, but not limited to: 

• Enhancing the student experience in biology courses through the use of evidence-based pedagogies, a scholarly approach to teaching and/or innovative teaching practices
• Strengthening the departmental culture of excellence in teaching and learning, including through advocacy for equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Inspiring and empowering students and educators alike through engagement in their department, mentorship, and continuous professional growth and development
• Modeling and promoting science outreach
• Contributing significantly to curricular programs including (re)design of courses
• Engaging in department-wide or institution-wide initiatives aimed at supporting student success, including contributing to the evaluation of programs and/or grant-funded research
• Conducting/engaging in research that examines and/or advances pedagogy, teaching practices, technological enhancements to teaching, and other aspects of student learning and engagement in higher education.

Past EEL Award recipients