Tuesday, October 6, 2026

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• Reimagine teaching and learning with the Teaching Innovation Incubator
• UWSA invites staff to give a colleague a 10/10
• Come together for Bridge
• WaterLeadership Workshop: Knowledge Mobilization 101

Reimagine teaching and learning with the Teaching Innovation Incubator

Applications are now open for the 2027 Teaching Innovation Incubator (TII) Open Call.

What could the future of teaching and learning at the University of Waterloo look like? The Teaching Innovation Incubator (TII) is inviting faculty and staff to bring their ideas to life through its 2027 Open Call.

The TII helps Waterloo faculty and staff explore what’s possible by supporting complex, collaborative, and interdisciplinary ideas that have the potential to transform teaching and learning. Following another year of projects moving through and graduating from the Incubator, the TII is now looking for new teams to join the Incubator in Winter 2027.

What ideas are we looking for?

The TII welcomes proposals exploring bold and innovative teaching and learning initiatives, with particular interest in projects focused on efficient and effective strategies for innovative teaching and learning, including technologies and innovations available through Waterloo’s EdTech Sandbox.

Projects could take many forms, including:

• New approaches to teaching
• Innovative assessment practices
• Creative uses of educational technologies
• Societal innovations that enhance the learning environment

Selected projects receive up to $20,000 in funding for project expenses, along with dedicated project coordination and research support, tailored resources and access to the EdTech Sandbox. Teams will have opportunities to share their work and contribute to the future of teaching and learning at Waterloo.

Thinking about an idea?

Join TII for a 2027 Open Call Information Session on October 20 from 11 a.m. to noon on MS Teams. The session will offer an overview of the Incubator, funding and support available, eligibility requirements and this year’s project themes, along with tips for developing a strong proposal. There will also be time for questions. The session will be recorded and posted to the TII website afterwards.

Mark your calendar:

• October 20: Open Call Information Session, 11 a.m.–noon
• December 1: Application deadline, end of day (11:59pm)
• January 2027: Decisions announced
• Winter 2027: New projects begin

Faculty and staff interested in applying should consult with the TII team before submitting a proposal to confirm that their idea is eligible and in scope. Applications will be reviewed by a cross-campus adjudication committee.

If you have any questions, please contact the Teaching Innovation Incubator by email at tii@uwaterloo.ca.

UWSA invites staff to give a colleague a 10/10

A message from the University of Waterloo Staff Association.

A positive workplace culture starts with recognizing and appreciating the people around us. Whether it's lending a hand, a note of thanks, or sharing a kind word, every act of appreciation helps strengthen our community.

That's why, in the lead-up to October 10 (10/10), the UW Staff Association (UWSA) invites staff to give a colleague a "10/10" for a recent accomplishment, outstanding effort, or simply being a great co-worker. From major achievements to everyday acts of kindness, let's make sure our colleagues know they're a 10 out of 10!

Complete the 2026 10/10 Day form by 4:30 p.m. on October 8, and the UWSA will email your message to the recipient on Friday, October 9, so colleagues can start the long weekend knowing how much they're appreciated.

And appreciation doesn’t stop after October 10: Visit Human Resources’ Employee Recognition page to explore other ways to officially recognize your colleagues’ contributions!

Come together for Bridge

A message from the Office of Indigenous Relations.

Join the University of Waterloo community for Bridge: Honouring the Lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People, a gathering of remembrance and community honouring the 5,000+ MMIWG2S+ across the many Nations in Canada.

Initiated at the University of Waterloo by Dr. Sorouja Moll in 2015, Bridge invites community members to honour and remember lives taken by tying red fabric to the bridge between Environment 3 and United College.

Bridge begins with an Opening Ceremony on Friday, October 9, and concludes with a Closing Ceremony on Monday, October 26. Both ceremonies take place from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Ceremonial Fire Grounds at United College, featuring Honorary Speaker Jean Becker, Inuk and a member of the Nunatsiavut Territory of Labrador and retired University of Waterloo Associate Vice-President of Indigenous Relations. Ryan Blackwolf will return as Ceremonial Fire Keeper.

Following the ceremonies, everyone is welcome to gather for cedar tea and hot apple cider at the Science Indigenous Office, STC 1013.

Get involved: Volunteers are needed to read names during the Opening Ceremony, and everyone is encouraged to visit Bridge and tie a red ribbon in remembrance. To volunteer or learn more, contact Sorouja Moll at smoll@uwaterloo.ca.

WaterLeadership Workshop: Knowledge Mobilization 101

A message from the Water Institute.

Join the Water Institute for WaterLeadership Workshop: Knowledge Mobilization 101 on October 7 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in E2-2350 and build the skills to turn your research into impact.

Knowledge mobilization is about connecting research with the people, organizations, and communities who can use it. Whether your goal is to inform policy, support practice, engage communities, or increase the visibility of your work, this workshop will provide practical tools to help you get there. It is open to students from all disciplines, not only from a water research perspective.

Led by Elanor Waslander, Knowledge Mobilization Specialist at the Water Institute, the session will introduce students to the fundamentals of knowledge mobilization and research impact planning. Participants will explore frameworks that connect research goals, audiences, activities, and outcomes, helping them think strategically about how research can create meaningful change. The workshop is suitable for grad and undergrad students who have a research project and across all disciplines.

Beyond gaining valuable skills, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with peers who are interested in research communication, leadership, and creating impact through their work. Students participating in the WaterLeadership program can also earn credit toward the WaterLeadership Certificate, which recognizes professional development in leadership, communication, collaboration, and knowledge mobilization. Find out more and register.

Looking ahead, participants are also encouraged to register for the next session in the WaterLeadership series: Sharing Science: Effective Presentations on November 11 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.