Dr. Gavan Watson, Vice-Provost, Teaching and Learning
Dr. Gavan Watson (he/him) started his term as the Vice-Provost, Teaching and Learning at Queen’s University in April 2023. Dr. Watson oversees the Centre for Teaching and Learning, the Queen’s University Quality Assurance Processes (QUQAP), and the university’s academic integrity policies and practices. As a member of the Provost’s Office senior team, Dr. Watson leads senior committees and projects that advance the priorities of the portfolio, working with faculty and staff across academic units and institutions to improve the quality of student learning. The Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning) also works to advance equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and Indigenization in all aspects of teaching and program development to enhance the student learning experience.
With research published in peer-reviewed journals like New Directions for Teaching and Learning, as well as articles in publications like EDUCAUSE review, Dr. Watson works to blend scholarly expertise and classroom practice. His research interests are focused on teaching and learning, particularly on topics related to the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) and educational technology. Dr. Watson has also published at the intersection of education and the environment, specifically on how educational practices inform our experiences with animals and the natural world. A recognized leader in the field of teaching and learning in higher education, Gavan has been invited to speak on topics ranging from Open Badges to Facilitating Student Assessment with Technology across Canada and the United States.
Dr. Watson holds a PhD in Environmental Education, a Master in Environmental Studies from York University, and an Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Family and Social Relations from the University of Guelph.
Prior to his current role, Dr. Watson was the Associate Vice President (Academic), Teaching and Learning and the Director, Centre for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL) at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador. In this role he provided leadership to the group supporting instructional design, educational development, online course delivery, student academic success, and classroom technology across the multi-campus institution.
Dr. Watson also served the Associate Director, eLearning, Centre for Teaching and Learning at Western University where he supported the work of academic units engaged in the university’s Institutional Quality Assurance Process and led the university’s blended learning strategy to facilitate pedagogical innovation in the delivery of undergraduate curriculum. As an Educational Developer at the University of Guelph, he collaborated with educators and learners to enhance the quality of teaching and learning and facilitate faculty-driven curricular renewal processes. He served as the secretary to the board of the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE) and as a member of the Council of Ontario Educational Developers' executive.
Contact Dr. Gavan Watson, Vice-Provost, Teaching and Learning
Dr. Denise Stockley, Professor and Scholar in Higher Education
Dr. Denise Stockley is the Director of the Queen’s Institute for Educational Scholarship and Research (QIESR) and a Professor and Scholar in Higher Education with the Office of the Provost (Teaching and Learning Portfolio) and the Faculty of Health Sciences at Queen’s University. She joined Queen’s in 2001 and has held leadership roles advancing teaching, learning, and educational scholarship across the institution.
Her work focuses on the integration of educational scholarship, research ethics, and health professions education, with particular attention to how learning environments are designed and sustained. She has contributed to institutional initiatives in curriculum renewal, competency-based education, educational scholarship, and professional development, supporting faculty and academic leaders in enhancing educational quality.
Dr. Stockley’s scholarship spans national teaching awards, research ethics education, and program evaluation. She has received funding on from the Tri-Council–funded (SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR), eCampusOntario, and other initiatives supported by the Networks of Centres of Excellence. She is Past-President of the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE).
Her work is grounded in the belief that learning is shaped by context, relationships, and design, with a focus on inclusive, evidence-informed learning environments.
Claire O'Brien, Manager, Academic Initiatives
Claire is responsible for academic initiatives within the Office of the Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic). She oversees Queen’s University Quality Assurance Processes (QUQAP) and policy on academic integrity. She supports the Senate Committee on Academic Development and Procedures (SCADP), the Senate Cyclical Program Review Committee (SCPRC) and a variety of teaching and learning initiatives.
Claire earned a Master of Arts (Oxon) in Modern Languages, then worked for the UK government until moving to Canada in 2005. After gaining an Advanced Diploma in Behaviour Therapy from St Lawrence College, she joined Queen’s in 2012. Claire was previously with the Office of the Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic), as well as working in the Faculties of Health Sciences and Arts and Science.
Dr. Sarah Lublink, Manager, Quality Assurance
Sarah manages ÷ÈÓ°Ö±²¥ Quality Assurance Processes such as Cyclical Program Review, new program proposals, and major modifications to programs. Sarah joined the Teaching and Learning team in September 2022.
Sarah’s background is in teaching; she taught Philosophy at a state college in Florida for eleven years after finishing her Ph.D. at Western University. As a faculty member she held leadership roles in in Assessment, Quality Assurance, and Faculty Professional Development, and served as Interim Director of the college’s Teaching and Learning Center in 2020. Prior to teaching in Florida, she taught at the University of Oklahoma and at Huron University College.
Dr. Reasat Faisal, Teaching and Learning Assistant
Reasat Faisal is the Teaching and Learning Assistant in the Office of the Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) at Queen’s University. With a global perspective shaped by professional experiences in Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, and Canada, Reasat supports the Queen’s University Quality Assurance Processes (QUQAP) by assisting with Cyclical Program Reviews, new program proposals, and major program modifications.
Reasat’s career spans both the non-profit and private sectors. At BRAC Bangladesh, he led sustainability-focused initiatives in renewable energy, waste management, and urban development. With Kindling, he contributed to community-driven projects addressing fire safety in informal settlements. In the United Kingdom, he collaborated with diverse teams on academic projects at the University of Westminster and worked as an urban planner at Arup, focusing on sustainable design and resilience.
Reasat holds a PhD in Climate-Induced Migration and Sustainable Employment Transitions, with an emphasis on just transitions in the global garment sector. He also holds an MA in International Planning and Sustainable Development (Urban Resilience Pathway) and a BSc in Electrical and Electronics Engineering.