UBC Science appoints new Associate Deans Students, Academic

The Faculty of Science is pleased to announce two senior leadership transitions: Dr. James Charbonneau as our new Associate Dean Students, and Dr. Jaclyn Stewart as our new Associate Dean Academic, with their new roles effective January 1, 2022.

They will replace Dr. Ian Cavers and Dr. Sara Harris respectively, who will take on senior associate dean roles within their portfolios as part of a tandem-transition period leading into next summer. The overlap will help ensure a smooth transition over the first half of 2022. 

“I want to thank Sara and Ian for their extraordinary service to Science and to UBC,” said Dean Meigan Aronson in making the announcement.

“They’ve been remarkable innovators and champions of our students, driving new programs and improvements that have advanced student learning, teaching, and support in our faculty. Many of our community know first-hand how critical their leadership has been over the past 18 months of COVID. I’m profoundly grateful for their leadership, and look forward to working with Jaclyn and James through the transition.’’

Dr. James Charbonneau, incoming Associate Dean Students

Long involved in leading UBC’s Science One, Coordinated Science and First-Year Focus programs, Dr. Charbonneau is an Associate Professor of Teaching with UBC Physics and Astronomy. He is a two-time recipient of the UBC Killam Teaching Award for Science. He has a deep interest in student excellence, health and wellbeing, and equitable access to resources and opportunity. His research focuses on the development of the learning software ComPAIR, measuring faculty and student development in integrated science programs, and the role of spatial reasoning in learning physics. 

The students portfolio is responsible for managing undergraduate enrolment, administering undergraduate degree requirements, facilitating course registration and program planning, overseeing course articulation with other institutions, UBC Science Co-op, advising, and a range of other critical areas.

Dr. Cavers oversaw tremendous growth in the portfolio, with enrolment peaking at more than 9,600 BSc and BCS students in 2021. He will leave the senior associate dean role on June 30, 2022 after 22 years of service in the Dean’s Office.

Dr. Jaclyn Stewart, incoming Associate Dean Academic

Dr. Stewart, Associate Professor of Teaching with UBC Chemistry, is currently the Deputy Academic Director at the CTLT and the Director of ISoTL. Dr. Stewart teaches a wide range of chemistry and science communication classes, and is a two-time winner of the UBC Killam Teaching Award for Science. She is currently researching the role of emotions in learning from feedback and the role of classroom climate in creating equitable learning environments in first-year science courses. Dr. Stewart is committed to inclusive teaching and data-informed pedagogical and curricular innovation.

The Associate Dean Academic oversees the Faculty's curriculum process, administering programs such as Science One, First Year Focus, Integrated Science, Combined Major in Science, SCIE 113, Science 101, managing the Science Centre for Learning and Teaching, and a range of other crucial curriculum initiatives.

Dr. Harris will leave the portfolio August 31, 2022. Her five-year tenure saw the launch of UBC Science’s First Year Focus program, as well as the development of new initiatives in data science, inclusive teaching and paired teaching.