The Dr. Peter Fisher Teaching and Learning Award recognizes teaching excellence in an individual who has gone above and beyond in the pursuit of teaching and learning, innovation, and leadership at the Marine Institute. This annual award acknowledges excellence primarily attained over a minimum of five calendar years prior to the awarding of this distinction. The award is open to faculty and demonstrators who have not previously received the Marine Institute Teaching Award or the Dr. Peter Fisher Teaching and Learning Award.

The Dr. Peter Fisher Teaching and Learning Award consists of:

• A personalized framed certificate awarded by the Vice-President of Memorial University (Marine Institute) at the Marine Institute convocation ceremony
• A professional development grant of $2500 to be used by the recipient in support of teaching activities
• The recipient’s name added to a plaque on public display at the Marine Institute

Teaching Effectiveness

Teaching effectiveness includes excellence in classroom, laboratory, or online facilitation, and/or student supervision; positively influencing student learning and the student learning experience; delivering authentic and challenging learning experiences; ongoing development of the teaching and learning professional practice; and/or other activities deemed appropriate by the MI Teaching Award Committee. Teaching effectiveness may be demonstrated through teaching philosophy statements, student course evaluations (or alternative course evaluations developed by staff), statements from colleagues, and any other relevant means deemed appropriate by the MI Teaching Award Committee.

Teaching Innovation

Teaching innovation includes the development, testing, and/or implementation of innovative teaching/assessment/supervision approaches and strategies in the classroom, laboratory, online, or other teaching and learning environment. For some, it may also include the development and/or integration of innovative teaching and learning aids (computer software, instructional technologies); and/or other activities deemed appropriate by the MI Teaching Award Committee. Teaching innovation may be demonstrated through descriptions of the innovation, testimonials by students or colleagues, and any other means deemed appropriate by the MI Teaching Award Committee.

Teaching Leadership, Scholarly Activity

Teaching leadership includes curriculum development; scholarship of teaching and learning; development of textbooks or teaching manuals; contribution to teaching enhancement; and/or other activities deemed appropriate by the MI Teaching Award Committee. Teaching leadership may be demonstrated through representative samples from of the appropriate materials and any other means deemed appropriate by the MI Teaching Award Committee.

The award will be adjudicated by the MI Teaching Award Committee and chaired by the Associate Vice-President (Marine Institute). After the award has been decided, the MI Teaching Award Committee will hold all submitted materials in confidence for up to two years for future adjudication purposes.

Nominations by faculty, staff, and/or students must be submitted to the Office of the Associate Vice-President (Marine Institute), Division of Academic and Student Affairs by Friday, March 6th, 2026 or emailed to teachingaward@mi.mun.ca. The nomination package includes the nomination form and a total of five (5) letters of support - two from peers and three from current or former students. The nomination coordinator may also submit a letter of support along with the nomination form.

Each nominee shall provide a teaching package that includes an abbreviated CV, a teaching dossier, samples of students’ work, samples of course evaluation questionnaires, and any other related documentation by Friday, May 8th, 2026.

The submitted teaching package must be no more than 30 pages in total, including appendices.

Information on developing an effective teaching dossier can be found on the CITL website at Memorial University. Personnel from the Marine Institute’s Division of Academic and Student Affairs are also available to assist candidates in the creation of a teaching dossier. All supporting documentation must address, with relevant examples, the three main criteria for the award - teaching effectiveness, teaching innovation, and teaching leadership. The completed nomination package must be submitted to the Office of the Associate Vice-President (Marine Institute) by the deadline.

Individuals are also encouraged to apply for the following teaching awards.

Memorial University Awards

• President's Awards for Excellence in Teaching and Graduate Supervision

External Awards

• AAU Distinguished Teacher Award, Association of Atlantic Universities
• AAU Distinguished Teacher Award, Association of Atlantic Universities nomination guidelines
• Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE) Awards

If you require support during the award application process please contact:

Academic and Student Affairs, Room W3013
Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland
P.O. Box 4920, St. John’s, NL, A1C 5R3
Email: teachingaward@mi.mun.ca
Telephone: 709-778-0495
Fax: 709-778-0394