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Queen’s University is pleased to announce the appointment of Gavan Watson as Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning) for a five-year term effective April 1, 2023. This appointment follows a comprehensive search process chaired by Interim Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) Teri Shearer. 

Dr. Watson is currently the Associate Vice President (Academic), Teaching and Learning and the Director, Centre for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL) at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador. In this role he provides leadership to the group supporting instructional design, educational development, online course delivery, student academic success, and classroom technology across the multi-campus institution.

During his tenure at Memorial, Dr. Watson facilitated the development of CITL’s strategic plan, with an intent to elevate the value of teaching and learning as a scholarly practice and to create inclusive and accessible learning experiences. He also worked to address issues of bias in teaching evaluations as co-chair of the Senate committee charged with the goal of improving the equity of the teaching evaluation process while still providing meaningful feedback to instructors. Dr. Watson advocated for and advanced the value of teaching and learning across the institution, collaborating with others to support projects and services with the goal of realizing the outcomes set by Memorial’s teaching and learning framework and strategic plan, with an overall focus on enhancing student success.

Prior to his current role, Dr. Watson was the Associate Director, eLearning, Centre for Teaching and Learning at Western University where he supported the work of academic units engaged in the university’s Institutional Quality Assurance Process and led the university’s blended learning strategy to facilitate pedagogical innovation in the delivery of undergraduate curriculum. As an Educational Developer at the University of Guelph, he collaborated with educators and learners to enhance the quality of teaching and learning and facilitate faculty-driven curricular renewal processes. He previously served as the secretary to the board of the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE) and as a member of the executive of the Council of Ontario Educational Developers. 

Dr. Watson has published in the field of educational technology and educational development and is frequently invited to participate as an expert in teaching and learning at conferences and seminars in Canada and internationally.

In his role as Queen’s Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning) Dr. Watson will oversee the Centre for Teaching and Learning, the Queen’s University Quality Assurance Processes (QUQAP), and the university’s academic integrity policies and practices. As a member of the Provost’s Office senior team, Dr. Watson will lead senior committees and projects that advance the priorities of the portfolio. The VPTL will also work to advance equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and Indigenization in all aspects of teaching and program development to enhance the student learning experience.

Dr. Watson holds a PhD in Environmental Education, Master in Environmental Studies from York University, and an Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Family and Social Relations from the University of Guelph.

Teri Shearer, Interim Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic), wishes to offer her sincere gratitude to John Pierce for his service as Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning) during this transition, and extends her gratitude to the search committee members for their guidance.