Professor’s latest honour gives boost to HK research culture

Developing and supporting a strong undergraduate research culture in the Faculty of Human Kinetics was Dave Andrews’s primary goal when he was appointed Research Leadership Chair for the faculty in 2006, and it is a tradition he will continue thanks to his recent receipt of the Golden Jubilee Research Excellence Award.

Dave Andrews

“Prior to 2006 there was considerable research taking place in the faculty but no concentrated grassroots culture for research, especially for undergraduate students,” Dr. Andrews recalls. “So we made research an everyday word for our students and formalized it—every day in every course that’s taught we let our students know that there are opportunities for research.”

Though his Research Leadership Chair appointment concluded in June, Andrews says the Golden Jubilee Research Excellence Award, sponsored jointly by the Faculty of Human Kinetics and the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, will provide the continued resources needed to support all aspects of research, including events such as its annual Kinesiology Research Day.

“Research is in everything we do in kinesiology and that idea is instilled in all of our courses starting in first year,” Andrews says. “I see this award and the funding that comes with it as an opportunity to extend and build on what we’ve already accomplished. Our undergraduate students’ experience with research often leads to graduate opportunities and academic positions but it doesn’t necessarily have to. Our students also learn that research is an important part of many other careers related to our major programs in Movement Science and Sport Management, and that research adds considerable value to their education.”

Andrews also holds a University of Windsor Teaching Leadership Chair until 2016 and is nationally and internally recognized for his work on ergonomics and biomechanics.

Human Kinetics dean Michael Khan says he is thrilled with the recognition Andrews is receiving.

“I believe that Dr. Andrews will use this award to build upon his stellar achievements as a Research Leadership Chair,” he says.

K.W. Michael Siu, vice-president, research and innovation, is also highly supportive of Andrews’s receipt of the Human Kinetics Golden Jubilee Research Excellence Award and is confident that he will use it to further advance research opportunities within the Faculty of Human Kinetics.

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