Faculty members honoured for excellence in teaching

Dr. Darcy Harris, Professor of Thanatology, and Dr. Jennifer Silcox, Lecturer in the Department of Sociology, will be honoured as the recipients of the 2023 King's Awards of Excellence in Teaching. Dr. Harris will be recognized for full-time faculty and Dr. Silcox will be recognized for part-time faculty.

“King’s is proud to be a centre of transformative learning, and both recipients of the Awards for Excellence in Teaching embody core principles and values of King’s – scholarly excellence, thoughtful and adaptive pedagogy, and care for their students. Dr. Harris and Dr. Silcox are truly outstanding and inspiring exemplars of teaching excellence at King’s,” says Dr. Mark Yenson, Associate Academic Dean.

Drs. Harris and Silcox were selected by a committee of students, faculty and staff who reviewed dozens of nominations from the King’s community.

Dr. Harris has been a faculty member at King’s since 1998. As the coordinator of Thanatology, Dr. Harris developed the major and minor module in Thanatology and the Honours Specialization in Thanatology program. She has created, developed and taught over a dozen courses and taught several of the Thanatology and Palliative Care Certificate Courses through Western’s Continuing Studies prior to their transfer to King’s in 2014.

“I am so deeply honoured. It has been a privilege to be a part of the Thanatology program at King’s, and I am grateful to be surrounded at King’s by so many exemplary colleagues and our wonderful students. I consider this award to be a true highlight of my career,” says Dr. Harris.

Committee members noted Dr. Harris’ outstanding record of teaching excellence, self-reflectiveness and responsiveness to students, innovative program development, and versatility in pedagogy. “Dr. Harris is characterized by students as a deeply compassionate teacher. Dr. Harris is a pioneer in the field of Thanatology, and her innovative work in curriculum development in the field has gained international recognition,” says Dr. Yenson.

Dr. Silcox has been an instructor of Sociology since 2012. She has taught 11 different courses, and is an Assistant Professor in Western’s Sociology department. Beginning July 1, she will join King’s department of Childhood and Youth Studies as a full-time faculty member.

“I feel honoured to be given the King’s Excellence in Teaching Award for part-time faculty for my dedication to King’s and to my students. It’s heartwarming to know that my students enjoy and appreciate my courses. I look forward to continuing my teaching journey at King’s while endeavouring to discover new and interesting ways of inspiring students in the classroom and helping them become the changemakers of tomorrow,” says Dr. Silcox.

Committee members noted Dr. Silcox’s outstanding and consistent record of teaching excellence, her wealth of course development over a number of years, and the care for her students. “Dr. Silcox is an immensely versatile teacher, who has taught an impressive range of courses at King’s. Students and colleagues highlight Dr. Silcox’s teaching as student-centred, interactive, and collaborative,” says Dr. Yenson.

In addition to the Awards of Excellence in Teaching, Drs. Harris and Silcox will each receive a stipend and will be invited to present lectures to the King’s community. 

Congratulations to Dr. Harris and Dr. Silcox!

For more information, and to see a list of previous recipients, please visit https://www.kings.uwo.ca/academics/award-of-excellence-in-teaching/.