Water Institute member and professor in Waterloo's Faculty of Environment, Derek Armitage, is this year's winner of the 2017-2018 Award of Excellence in Graduate Supervision at the University of Waterloo.
“I
am
very
appreciative
of
this
honour
and
the
efforts
made
by
all
those
that
supported
my
nomination.
Mostly,
the
award
reminds
me
of
what
a
wonderful
privilege
it
is
to
work
with,
mentor
and
learn
from
thoughtful
and
committed
people,”
said
Armitage.
Armitage, who studies the human dimensions of environmental change (local to global) and emerging forms of environmental governance, is also the Associate Director of Graduate Studies in the Faculty of Environment.
“I see graduate supervision as community-building. For example, I have tried to ensure our research group (Environmental Change & Governance Group) is enjoyable context to share ideas and to find support among peers. I think we have all benefited intellectually and socially by being part of this group process,” he said.
Armitage is continually creating unique opportunities for students by doing things like helping to secure funds for field work or conferences, getting students involved in research and writing projects, or connecting them into larger networks of researchers and research partners.
“Ultimately, I want graduate students to feel they have developed the ideas and skills that will take them to where they want to go next. Creating a culture for a successful graduate experience enables our students to achieve great things. It’s fantastic to a part of their journey.”
Original story written by the Faculty of Environment