Heather Jamniczky appointed academic lead in teaching and learning research

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Heather Jamniczky, PhD, has been appointed as academic lead in teaching and learning research at the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning effective July 1, 2020. This is a part-time academic secondment for a three-year term.

Dr. Jamniczky is a UCalgary alumna (BSc’01 and PhD‘06) and is an associate professor, teaching students in both the Bachelor of Health Sciences and Undergraduate Medical Education programs at the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM). Earlier this year, she was selected as one of only 10 people across Canada to receive a 2020 3M National Teaching Fellowship. Dr. Jamniczky has also received several institutional teaching awards, including a University of Calgary Teaching Award (Full-Time Academic Staff) in 2016.

Dr. Jamniczky is a key contributor to the development of a scholarly teaching and learning culture in the Undergraduate Medical Education program. She has facilitated the Instructional Skills Workshop, the CSM Teaching Excellence Program and a number of faculty workshops offered by the Office of Faculty Development at CSM.

As an evolutionary biologist and science educator, Dr. Jamnickzy’s teaching and learning research explores two- and three-dimensional representation of images, focusing on anatomy. With her colleagues, Dr. Sarah Anderson, PhD, and Dr. Kent Hecker, PhD, she is learning how the brain responds to learning activities incorporating different types of images.

As academic lead in teaching and learning research, Heather will advocate for and advance a scholarly teaching culture at the University of Calgary. She will provide academic leadership for the University of Calgary Teaching and Learning Grants and Scholars programs and leverage her role as a recognized teaching and learning scholar to raise the profile of the Taylor Institute and the University of Calgary at the local, national and international level.

We would like to thank the hiring panel for their diligent work and contribution to this process, which include: Patti Dyjur (academic lead, learning technology and design, Taylor Institute), Kim Grant (educational development consultant, Taylor Institute), Natasha Kenny (senior director, Taylor Institute), Kiara Mikita (educational development consultant, Taylor Institute), Lisa Stowe (director, experiential education, Taylor Institute) and Joshua Madsen (director, Psychology Clinic, Department of Psychology).

We encourage members of our campus community interested in exploring teaching and learning research to connect with Dr. Jamniczky and the team at the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning.

Please join us in congratulating Heather on her new role.

Leslie Reid
Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning)

Natasha Kenny
Senior Director, Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning