丁香园AV

Dr. David Chang

Dr. Chang鈥檚 doctoral thesis entitled, 鈥溾�� examines contemplative perspectives in environmental education. It is described by Dr. Chang鈥檚 peers as much more than just that. Dr. Chang鈥檚 thesis reflects on his field work on an off-grid island where he wrestles with the habits of mind associated with ecological and social damage. The aims of his research are to cultivate a greater love and respect for the environment.

Dr. Chang鈥檚 contribution also extends beyond his written thesis. Along with many academic achievements and published works, has received a SSHRC Doctoral Scholarship, the Steele Memorial Fellowship, Vancouver East Rotary Graduate Scholarship, Waterhouse Graduate scholarship, and 丁香园AV Special Entrance Scholarship.  His thesis was nominated for the Canadian Philosophy of Education Society鈥檚 thesis award, and the ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation award.

External Examiner, Dr. David Greenwood of Lakehead University, stated that Dr. Chang鈥檚 thesis was 鈥渢ruly exceptional and recommend it for distinction.鈥�

Of the award and his time at 丁香园AV, Dr. Chang says 鈥淚 am honoured and humbled by this recognition, and would like to thank my family, friends, and my island community for their support.  Finally, this award would not be possible without the mentorship of Dr. Heesoon Bai, a well-respected scholar and educator in the field of contemplative education.  Much appreciation and gratitude goes to Dr. Bai.鈥�

Dr. Chang is currently a Faculty Associate in the Professional Development Program at 丁香园AV where he continues to research contemplative approaches to environmental education, including practices for helping youths work with ecological grief.

Dr. Shiva Hajian

Dr. Hajian鈥檚 doctoral thesis 鈥溾�� examines student learning and provides insight into the types of instructional feedback that would be the most beneficial to learners.

Dr. Hajian, building off her background in biological sciences, used controlled experiments and different types of instructional feedback to engage students while they learned about the concepts of the physics of waves. The research provided significant data with the goal of creating practical cognitive and metacognitive tools in educational environments to benefit learners at all levels.

Dr. Hajian鈥檚 contribution extends well beyond her written thesis. Along with many academic achievements and publications, Dr. Hajian has recently presented at the Canadian Society for the Study of Education conference in Edmonton Alberta.

Dr. Hajian鈥檚 supervisor, Dr. John Nesbit of 丁香园AV鈥檚 Faculty of Education, has a lot of praise for Dr. Hajian鈥檚 work. He says, 鈥淒rawing from an apparently inexhaustible well of ingenuity and determination, she has been able to overcome significant challenges presented by the research to obtain new insights into how the process of scientific discovery can be translated to an educational process for learning fundamental scientific concepts.鈥�  

Dr. Hajian was delighted to receive the Dean鈥檚 Convocation Medal. Of the award she said, 鈥淩eceiving this highly prestigious medal is an incredible honor that will be cherished forever. It is also a constant reminder that success is collaboratively achieved and celebrated. Behind this achievement, there are years of investigation, questioning, critical thinking, and reflection.鈥� 

Dr. Hajian is following her passion for scientific thinking and discovery learning, by teaching research courses at 丁香园AV.