Western Canadian Deans of Arts, Science, and Indigenous Studies Conference
Dates
February 20-21, 2025
Location
Laurel Point Inn in Victoria, British Columbia.
Scope and Purpose of Conference
This annual conference is a member-organized opportunity for Western Canadian Deans of Faculties or Schools of Arts, Science or Indigenous Studies (broadly construed) to participate in professional development and to offer each other mentorship and advice on areas of particular concern. All Deans, Vice-Deans, or Associate Deans of Western Canadian Faculties within the broad sphere of the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities or Indigenous studies are welcome to attend. Please share this invitation with your colleagues in the relevant areas.
2025 Theme: The Post Internationalization University?
Registration
Registration fees include all programming, including all food, drink tickets, and wine at the banquet. Transportation and accommodations are separate. Please contact Laura Osicki at Laura.Osicki@uregina.ca to inquire about late registrations.
Early-bird registration (to January 10): $500
Regular registration (after January 10): $550
Additional banquet ticket(s) for guest(s): $115
Refunds are available for cancellations made before February 11, 2025 (less a $50 administration fee for cancellation per ticket). After this date, no refunds will be issued.
Booking Information
As you know, we’ll be returning to the Laurel Point Inn in Victoria. A block of rooms (based on first come, first served) has been reserved for a nightly rate of $164.00 before taxes until Friday, January 10, 2025. You need to book and pay for your accommodation separately from the conference registration fee. This can be done by visiting the booking link, calling the Laurel Point Inn at: 1-800-663-7667 or by emailing: reservations@laurelpoint.com. Please make sure to quote “Western Canadian Deans Arts Science” to obtain the group rate. Rooms in this block are available from Wednesday, February 19 to Sunday, February 23.
We look forward to seeing you in Victoria. Expect more details from us in the coming weeks, but do not hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have in the meantime!
2025 Keynote Speaker
Biography
Dr. Jessica Riddell is a Full Professor of Early Modern Literature at Bishop’s University and holds the Stephen A. Jarislowsky Chair of Undergraduate Teaching Excellence. As founder of the Hope Circuits Institute (HCI), she drives systems-change in higher education, focusing on governance, leadership, and student success. In a landscape rife with indictments of broken systems, her work invites people across the post-secondary ecosystem to co-create blueprints for meaningful rewiring that centers justice, equity, and access. Her 2024 book, Hope Circuits: Rewiring Universities and Other Organizations for Human Flourishing (McGill-Queen's Press), offers a roadmap for this transformation. A recognized leader, scholar, and educator, she serves on multiple boards and has received numerous awards and grants for teaching and leadership, including the 3M National Teaching Fellowship (Canada's highest recognition of educational leadership), the D2L Innovation Award (the highest recognition of innovation in partnerships), and the Forces Avenir award (Quebec's highest recognition of teaching excellence in higher education).
Personal Website: https://www.jessicariddell.com/
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/drjriddell
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-riddell-08aa5722/
2025 Tentative Conference Schedule
Thursday, February 20 - Sub-Theme: Practical Strategies
|
Breakfast |
7:45am-8:30am, Spirit Rooms |
|
Welcome and Land Acknowledgement Introduction: Dr. Annalee Lepp, Dean of Humanities, University of Victoria (she/her) |
8:30am-9:00am, Spirit Rooms |
|
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Jessica Riddell, Stephen A. Jarislowsky Chair of Undergraduate Teaching Excellence and Full Professor at Bishop’s University |
9:00am-10:30am, Spirit Rooms |
|
Refreshment break |
10:30am-11:00am, Spirit Rooms |
|
Session 2: Workshop with Dr. Jessica Riddell
|
11:00am-12:00pm, Spirit Rooms |
|
Lunch |
12:00pm-1:00pm, Terrace Ballroom |
|
Session 3: IRCC Change Focus: Regional Issues Facilitators: Dr. Shannon Dea, Dean of Arts, University of Regina (Chair) (she/her, they/them) - SK, MB Dr. Jonathon Penny, Dean of Arts and Education, Red Deer Polytechnic (he/him) - AB Dr. Eve Stringham, Dean of Science and Techonology, Vancouver Island University - General and BC |
1:00pm-3:00pm, Spirit Rooms |
|
Refreshment break |
3:00pm-3:30pm, Spirit Rooms |
|
Session 4: Table Sessions - Mixed Regions/Institutions Facilitator: Dr. Annalee Lepp, Dean of Humanities, University of Victoria (she/her) |
3:30pm-5:00pm, Spirit Rooms |
|
Banquet
*Please note that the banquet is included in the registration fees |
Terrace Ballroom 6:00pm Cocktails 6:30pm Dinner |
Friday, February 21 - Sub-theme: Relationships With and Responsibility to Indigenous Nations
|
Breakfast |
7:45am-8:45am, Spirit Rooms |
|
Session 5: Incorporating Indigenous Knowledges and EDI into Faculty Evaluation Standards and Processes Facilitator: Dr. Nathalie Kermoal |
8:45am-10:30am, Spirit Rooms |
|
Refreshment Break |
10:30am-11:00am, Spirit Rooms |
|
Session 6: Indigenization: Good Models/Cool Projects Facilitators: Dr. Jonathon Penny, Dean of Arts and Education, Red Deer Polytechnic (he/him) Dr. Mark Wallin, Interim Dean of Arts, Thompson Rivers University |
11:00am-12:00pm, Spirit Rooms |
|
Lunch |
12:00pm-1:00pm |
|
Session 7: Indigenous Science Facilitator: Dr. Shannon Dea, Dean of Arts, University of Regina (she/her, they/them) |
1:00pm-3:00pm |
|
Refreshment Break |
3:00pm-3:30pm |
|
General Discussion and Annual General Meeting *Nominations for Conference Chair |
3:30pm-5:00pm |
Your Western Deans organizing committee,
Dr. Shannon Dea, Dean of Arts, University of Regina (Chair) (she/her, they/them)
Dr. Annalee Lepp, Dean of Humanities, University of Victoria (she/her)
Dr. Jonathon Penny, Dean of Arts and Education, Red Deer Polytechnic (he/him)
Dr. Eve Stringham, Dean of Science and Techonology, Vancouver Island University
Dr. Mark Wallin, Interim Dean of Arts, Thompson Rivers University