Effective supervisory relationships are fundamental to a thriving research culture at Queen’s. Mentors provide graduate students with the guidance and opportunities needed to develop critical research, leadership, and professional skills while making meaningful contributions to their fields and addressing complex societal challenges.

Two awards are presented annually by the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (SGSPA): one to a supervisor in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, and one to a supervisor in the Life, Natural, and Engineering Sciences. This year’s recipients are Dr. Christopher DeLuca (Education) and Dr. Bruce Tufts (Biology) for their outstanding commitment to research excellence and student mentorship. 

“This year’s award recipients and nominees exemplify the dedication and excellence that define exceptional graduate supervision at Queen’s,” says Fahim Quadir, Vice-Provost and Dean of the SGSPA. “Congratulations to Drs. DeLuca and Tufts, as well as all nominees, for their outstanding leadership and lasting contributions to the growth and success of our graduate students.”

Learn more about this year’s award recipients:

Christopher DeLuca

Dr. DeLuca is a Professor of Education serving as Director of the Queen’s Assessment and Evaluation Group, as well as the Classroom Assessment Research Team lead. His research explores the intersections of assessment, curriculum, and pedagogy, with a focus on supporting educators to enhance learning for all. He has published more than 120 peer-reviewed articles and six books, including his latest, The Prosperous PhD: Secrets to Success from Top Supervisors (University of Toronto Press). His scholarship has received numerous awards, including the Queen’s Faculty of Education Research Excellence Award, the American Educational Research Association Outstanding Paper in Classroom Assessment Award, and the Canadian Society for the Study of Education’s R. W. Jackson Award.

Collaborating and co-learning with students are central to Chris’s scholarly practice, and over his career he has mentored more than 100 graduate students. Chris has also supported a broader university culture of healthy supervision by developing a supervisor training course and supervision resources, facilitating the university’s Graduate Supervision Policy, and initiating the Graduate Inclusivity Fellows program at the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs. In 2023, Chris received the National Mentorship Award from the Canadian Committee of Graduate Students in Education.

Bruce Tufts 

Dr. Tufts received his PhD from the University of British Columbia in 1987. Since 1990, he has been a Professor in the Department of Biology where he oversees the Freshwater Fisheries Conservation Lab. In recent years, his research has focused on the conservation of Canada’s freshwater fisheries and training the next generation of fisheries professionals. His lab has produced more than 100 scientific publications, with graduate students frequently serving as lead and co-authors. Beyond academic publishing, Dr. Tufts has written extensively on conservation issues and regularly shares his expertise through television, radio, and, more recently, podcasts.

Throughout his career, Dr. Tufts has supervised 45 graduate students, many of whom have gone on to faculty positions at universities across Canada, the United States, and Scotland. Others have built successful careers as biologists, environmental consultants, medical doctors, and educators. Helping graduate students develop strong science communication skills for a wide range of audiences is a key part of his mentorship philosophy. His commitment to supporting students both academically and professionally has had a lasting impact, reflected in the exceptional success of his graduates in securing careers in their chosen fields.

About the Award

Established in 2005, the Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Supervision celebrates exceptional supervisors at Queen’s University. It recognizes those who demonstrate excellence in mentoring graduate students, providing guidance and support throughout their training so they succeed and flourish as scholars and individuals. Recipients are evaluated on the quality of their supervision, the clarity and usefulness of their feedback, their encouragement of students’ scholarly ambition, and their contributions to a strong culture of supervision within their School/Faculty and the University. Preference is given to faculty with a sustained record of mentorship over many years; this year’s recipients exemplify those qualities and have made a demonstrable difference in the careers of their students. We applaud their dedication and thank them for advancing graduate education at Queen’s.