Academic Director, Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology
Dr. Simon Bates has been reappointed as Academic Director, Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology (CTLT) for a 5-year term beginning July 1, 2017.
Dr. Bates joined the Department of Physics at UBC in 2012 as one of the first professors of teaching. He is particularly interested in students as producers, and the nature of educational leadership in teaching-focused academic roles in higher education. He is the Senior Advisor to the Provost, Teaching and Learning, and is the lead for the Education Innovation cluster of Universitas21.
In his first term as Academic Director of CTLT, Dr. Bates had an important role in setting up a streamlined, more effective governance structure for learning technology, and in improving coordination of services provided by CTLT and UBC IT. He worked tirelessly to establish effective working relationships with teaching and learning units in Faculties, and to promote adoption of effective teaching practices across the university. He is now leading the consultation and implementation process for UBC’s new learning management system.
Prior to joining UBC, Dr. Bates worked at a number of institutions in the UK and Europe including the University of Edinburgh, where he held a number of posts before becoming Dean of Learning and Teaching in the College of Science and Engineering.
CTLT focuses on professional development in teaching and learning, integration of technology into teaching and learning, and delivery of distance education courses and programs, and other technology-enhanced learning opportunities. The external review of CTLT noted that it plays a significant role in supporting the university’s goal of outstanding teaching, and praised its responsiveness and flexibility. You can find out more at http://ctlt.ubc.ca.