Robert Tierney, an internationally renowned and innovative educator, has been named dean of Education at the University of British Columbia. His selection follows an extensive national and international search and broad community consultation.
Prof. Tierney is currently director of the School of Teaching and Learning, College of Education at Ohio State University. He will take up his position at UBC in April.
"This is a superb appointment," says Barry McBride, vice-president, Academic and Provost. "Dr. Tierney brings to UBC an outstanding scholarly reputation, strong administrative skills and experience, and a progressive vision for the Faculty of Education."
Tierney, who studied education and taught in his native Australia, earned a master's degree and PhD in education at the University of Georgia.
"I share the values and goals espoused in UBC's mission statement, Trek 2000, and am well aware of the work of its committed, dynamic and renowned Faculty of Education," Tierney says. "The faculty has a significant and supportive role to play locally, nationally and internationally. By working together with schools, government and communities we can make major contributions and create new possibilities in education."
His scholarly engagements have included issues of teacher research, university-school collaborations, teacher change, classroom-based assessment and socio-political dimensions of schooling.
Tierney's areas of special focus have been literacy education and development across subject areas, literacy assessment and the changing nature of literacy learning with shifts in technology.
He replaces Dean Nancy Sheehan who is stepping down after heading the Faculty of Education for 13 years.
The Faculty of Education, which comprises four departments, the School of Human Kinetics and four centres, is one of Canada's leading education research faculties.
With an annual operating budget of $18 million and external research support averaging $2 million annually, some 150 full-time professorial and 250 part-time staff deliver programs to approximately 1,300 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate students.