May marks the University of Victoria’s first REACH Awards, combining the Teaching Excellence Awards with the Craigdarroch Research Awards to celebrate some of the university’s most exceptional professors, graduate students and researchers. Dr. Neena Chappell will be recognized among others during an evening ceremony at the Royal British Columbia Museum May 25.
“When you have a career where you feel you’re contributing something of value and is itself very rewarding and satisfying, it’s a bonus to be recognized by others,” Chappell said in response to receiving the David H. Turpin Gold Medal for Career Achievement in Research. “It’s an honour and gratefully accepted.”
Chappell has led a dynamic 35-year career in gerontology. Not only a sociology professor and director of UVic’s Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health, she is a Canada Research Chair in social gerontology, held presidency of the Canadian Association on Gerontology from 2008 to 2012, and was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2016. Chappell’s research contributions have greatly impacted Canadian health care policy for the elderly.
“My interests in gerontology are in family caregiving, healthcare services, how to maintain dignity throughout life,” Chappell said. She was responsible for launching two university-based social science research centres: the Centre on Aging at the University of Manitoba and the Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health at UVic. The first started in 1982 and the second launched ten years later.
Chappell focuses on independent aging and elderly treatment and care, specifically in the area of dementia. Her research takes into account the physical, psychological, environmental and social aspects of healthcare. Through her speeches and publications, Chappell continues to be a progressive voice for the elderly in politics.
Other 2017 recipients of the REACH awards include:
UVic chemistry department’s groundbreaking Scott McIndoe with the Silver Medal for Excellence in Research.
Internationally acclaimed psychologist James Tanaka with the Award for Excellence in Knowledge Mobilization.
Music scholar and flutist Suzanne Snizek with the Award for Excellence in Artistic Expression.
Mechanical engineer and initiator of the Victoria Hand Project Nikolai Dechev with the Award for Excellence in Research Partnerships.
Director of Technology Integrated Learning and Interdisciplinary Minor in Technology and Society Director Janni Aragon for the Harry Hickman Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching and Educational Leadership.
Political science professor Valerie D’Erman with the Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Internationally recognized Indigenous researcher Sandrina de Finney for the Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research-Inspired Teaching.
Developer of the I-witness Holocaust Field School Helga Thorson with the Award for Excellence in Teaching for Experimental Learning.
History professor and exceptional graduate mentor Lynne Marks for the Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Supervision and Mentorship.
Biology student Geraldine Gourlay, anthropology student John Murray, and sociology student Kimi Dominic for the Andy Farquharson Teaching Excellence Awards for Graduate Students.
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