Rena Upitis Recognized for Excellence in Research

Dr. Rena Upitis has been awarded the Queen’s Prize for Excellence in Research for her significant contribution to the University through her research and scholarly work. The Prize is the University’s highest form of recognition for research conducted at Queen’s. 

• see the Queen's story: Annual research awards recognize excellence at Queen's

“It’s humbling to be the first person to receive this award from the Faculty of Education,” says Dr. Upitis, who has been a professor at Queen’s since 1986, also serving as Dean of Education from 1995 to 2000. “I have so many colleagues who are equally deserving of this award, and I am honoured to have been selected.”

A leading international scholar in arts education and the relatively new field of educational architecture, she has a long record of successful and significant research. 

After researching innovative teaching techniques for music, and mathematics and science learning software, Dr. Upitis conducted a major study on how engagement with the arts supports teachers and improves learning.  She served a six-year term as Research Co-director of the Royal Conservatory’s Learning Through the Arts Program, and her study was the first of its scope conducted in Canada and the largest of its type to date.  

Dr. Upitis also conducted ground-breaking research on the impact of school design on learning, achieving a Diploma in Architectural Technology in the process.  Then, bringing together her previous work in the arts and digital spaces, she and her partners at the Royal Conservatory and Concordia University developed iSCORE, a unique and free online music tool that offers a wide range of features to teachers and students.  The research partners are currently beginning a project to investigate the learning potential of iSCORE in North America that is being supported a SSHRC Partnership Grant worth nearly $2 million dollars, a Canada Foundation for Innovation Grant and additional funding (making the total nearly $4 million).  If proven successful, iSCORE may be distributed throughout Europe and Asia (project news is available at iscorenews.com).

“Throughout my career, my work has focused on inspiring and empowering people of all ages and backgrounds to learn” says Dr. Upitis. “I’m grateful that Queen’s recognizes and values research aimed at improving teaching techniques and learning environments in schools and beyond.”

Dr. Praveen Jain (Electrical Engineering) was the other recipient of this year's Prize.  Both Drs. Upitis and Jain will present public lectures on their research on March 7th, 2013 (Location TBD).

 Congratulations to Drs. Upitis and Jain!