AMS Teaching Awards

The Alma Mater Society has a responsibility to protect the interests of its constituents, and to recognize the contributions of exceptional individuals who advance the academic experience of undergraduate students. Teaching Awards honor individuals who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the education of students at Queen’s University through excellent teaching.

In addition, the Teaching Awards recognize the contributions of Teaching Assistants, whose contributions are often overshadowed by the instructor who teaches the course. By rewarding excellence in teaching, the AMS hopes to raise the profile of outstanding teaching, as it seeks to constructively monitor and enhance the undergraduate learning experience.

The main criteria in the selection process is teaching excellence and commitment to the educational experience of students at the University, regardless of the academic discipline of the instructor. There are no fixed detailed criteria or set of guidelines because students are the best judge of the teaching quality and in recognition of the variety of methods of instruction.

AMS Teaching Award are not intended to create a popularity contest and the focus will be on the real learning which is taking place under the instructor.
Instructors: Any instructor, regardless of their appointment level, is eligible to receive the Frank Knox and Undergraduate Research Mentorship awards.

Teaching Assistants: Any person designated as a Teaching Assistant by their faculty, is eligible for the Christopher Knapper award.
To be considered for this award, each person needs at least two nominations, one of which is must be completed by an undergraduate student, who has paid their AMS membership fees.

The second nomination can be submitted by any member of the Queen’s Community, which can include any student, alumni, staff, faculty, co-workers, supervisors and members of the public who have an interest in the University.

Submit a Nomination

Teaching Award Descriptions

Frank Knox Award for Excellence in Teaching

The AMS has a responsibility to protect the interests of its constituents, and further, to recognize professors who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the education of students at Queen’s University through excellent teaching. Therefore, the AMS shall annually honour such instructors by awarding to them the Frank Knox Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Christopher Knapper Award for Excellence in Teaching

Each year, the AMS presents an award honouring two teaching assistants who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the education of students of Queen’s University. This award is named in honour of Christopher Knapper, the founding Director of the Instructional Development Centre (IDC). Chris Knapper showed genuine concern in furthering the educational environment at Queen’s.

Undergraduate Research Mentorship Award

The Undergraduate Research Mentorship Award honors the contributions of instructors at Queen’s University who have encouraged undergraduate research through thesis supervision, inquiry projects in the classroom, or supervising a capstone project. Awardees are recognized for their excellence in mentorship through the personal support, professional support, intellectual support, and advancement of EDII.

2023-2024 Finalists