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"His influence ripples outward from SFU unto fields of study and practice that make the world a better place."
PhD candidate, Nora Timmerman
More Supervision Winners
Additional Dean of Graduate Studies Awards for Excellence Winners
2019 Award for Excellence in Supervision: Sean Blenkinsop
We're delighted to profile the winners of the 2019 Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Awards for Excellence in Graduate Studies. Sean Blenkinsop receives an award for Excellence in Supervision.
Since joining SFU鈥檚 Faculty of Education in 2005, Professor Sean Blenkinsop has been a pillar of insight for graduate students.
Blenkinsop鈥檚 students and colleagues recognize his intellectual rigour, approachable demeanour, and commitment to helping students succeed.颅 He mentors students academically and professionally, including PhD candidate Lee Beavington.
鈥淗e has offered detailed critical feedback on drafts (now published) of several of my peer-reviewed articles. He frequently sends out invitations for further publications, conference presentations, and employment,鈥 says Beavington.
Kris Magnusson, Dean of the Faculty of Education, commends Blenkinsop鈥檚 commitment to helping students despite his heavy supervision load.
鈥淗e provides enough latitude for students to engage in independent scholarship, and enough structure and guidance to ensure that their work is completed to the highest standards and in a timely manner. Students express that they feel valued by him, and that he demonstrates respect for them as both scholars and people,鈥 shares Magnusson.
Blenkinsop also makes a significant effort to connect his students to leading scholars in the field. He provided numerous students with employment references, as well as opportunities to attend and present at local and international conferences.
鈥淎ttending Harvard, he has obviously benefitted from ready access to significant theorists in the areas of Philosophy, Education and Curriculum; that he maintains these relationships is a significant advantage to his mentees. As a student of Dr. Blenkinsop, one feels an important and valued contributor to a long lineage of philosophical conversation,鈥 says Tim Waddington, PhD candidate.
Doctoral student, Maureen Jack-Lacroix, admires Blenkinsop鈥檚 openness to bridging academic theory with action. As an ecological educator, Blenkinsop challenges his students to consider the real world impact of their studies.
鈥淪ean always strikes a great balance of being supportive and listening attentively while actively pushing and provoking me to think not just about 颅the content of my studies, but of what difference they can make on the planet,鈥 agrees Laura Piersol, PhD, a previous student of Blenkinsop鈥檚.
To apply his academic background into hands-on work, Blenkinsop takes part in community initiatives like the Centre for Dialogue, the , and the .
Nora Timmerman, PhD candidate, summarizes the impact of Blenkinsop鈥檚 supervision: 鈥淗is influence ripples outward from SFU unto fields of study and practice that make the world a better place.鈥澛
The 2020 Dean of Graduate Studies Awards for Excellence are open for nominations. Deadline for nominations is March 15, 2020.