Early Career Faculty Community of Practice

Co-sponsored by the Office of Teaching and Learning and the Office of the Associate Vice-President Academic.

Program Description 

Early career faculty (ECF) play a critical role at the University of Guelph as they represent future leadership of the institution, make key contributions to innovative teaching practices, and add to our vibrant and collegial academic community. Building a resilient and future-ready institution relies on the success of ECF. When supported to reach their full potential, ECF transform our institution and our student experience. 

The ECF Community of Practice (CoP) is a cross-disciplinary, small group, relationship-rich experience intended to foster a supportive, enriching, and inclusive environment where early career faculty members can thrive as they engage in continuous learning around teaching. This program is designed to help ECF build a robust network, reflect on their teaching approaches and practices, and develop creativity and confidence to lead in teaching and scholarship. 

Program Goals 

The ECF CoP supports participants in developing as educators and educational leaders by: 

1. Building networks and connections among ECF and other members of the UofG community

2. Engaging in critically reflective teaching practices to develop a personalized teaching identity

3. Advancing evidence-informed teaching practices and pedagogies that CoP members can use and adapt to suit their own teaching contexts

4. Fostering connections with mid-career faculty

5. Promoting wellbeing and belonging to improve morale, retention, and success

6. Engaging with the scholarship of teaching and learning, if desired 
    

Program Structure 

The CoP will meet approximately monthly for 1.5 hours from September 2024 to June 2025 (9 meetings). Meetings will be offered in a hybrid or virtual delivery mode and be held either Wednesday mornings or Thursday afternoons (day of the week, exact dates and times to be finalized dependent on participant and facilitator availability). 

Each meeting will be facilitated by Educational Developers from the Office of Teaching and Learning (OTL) and invited guests. The CoP meetings will occur in a range of formats (e.g., formal workshops, readings and discussion, guest speakers). 

Some topics include: Becoming a reflective practitioner, teaching with technology and AI, course design and constructive alignment, inclusive pedagogies, and scholarly teaching.

Participation Requirements

Participants in the ECF CoP are required to: 

• Complete assigned readings and actively participate in activities and discussion each meeting

• Complete pre- and post-reflections that will include setting S.M.A.R.T. goals, exploring personal teaching philosophies, and responding to CoP content and approaches 

• Be committed to fostering a supportive, enriching, and inclusive environment 

• Attend the first meeting and attend at least 8 out of 9 of the meetings over the 10-month commitment* 

* OVC faculty members and veterinarians who will be engaged in clinical rotations or as a rotation coordinator during the CoP should contact Christie Stewart (cstew@uoguelph.ca) to discuss your potential participation. 

How to Apply and Application Due Date

To be considered for participation in the ECF CoP, please submit your application using this Qualtrics Form.

Submit your Application here

Applications Due: August 16, 2024

The Qualtrics form provides text boxes for you to enter the text for each of the required components with the word limits noted above. 

If you have questions, need further information or accommodation for application submission, please contact Christie Stewart (cstew@uoguelph.ca).  

Review and Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee, including two Office of Teaching and Learning staff, the Associate Vice-Provost (Academic), and the AVP Indigenous Initiatives and/or the Associate Dean of Academic Equity and Anti-racism. The candidates will be selected for participation based on meeting the evaluation criteria and alignment with CoP goals. In the event of having too many eligible applicants, the selection committee will choose a diverse group representing a variety of disciplines, backgrounds and experiences, taking into consideration one’s progress as an ECF.