FACULTY OF HUMANITIES

Strategic Plan

INSPIRING SUSTAINABLE FUTURES

Inspiring Sustainable Futures

Welcome!

 

This strategic plan, which represents several months of thoughtful work by our faculty, staff and students, is a window into who we are, what we hope to achieve as a community, and the progress we’ve made towards our goals. It’s our roadmap to becoming a place of creativity, discovery and growth for our entire community.

 

Who are we? Our 115 full-time professors have expertise in and beyond the following disciplines: Cognitive Science, Communications Management, Communication Studies, Cultural Studies, English, French, Gender Studies, Global Peace and Social Justice, Greek and Roman Studies, History, iArts, Languages, Linguistics, Philosophy and Law, Media Arts, and Music.

 

Our staff support our faculty and students in areas including careers and experiential learning, academic advising, digital media and computing, teaching and learning, communications, development, alumni relations, and administration and finance.

 

Finally, we have a vibrant and active student body of more than 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students.

 

Since the launch of the plan in 2021, we have made great progress on a number of key priorities.

 

A few highlights from this past year:

 

  • We’ve completed the development of our new Skills for Life certificate, required for all students completing a Humanities BA, which will support our undergraduates in developing and articulating key career skills
  • While our students continue to have expanded options for experiential learning and career support, we have also been working to support faculty with resources to further incorporate experiential learning into their classroom teaching
  • The Wilson College of Leadership and Civic Engagement will offer exciting program opportunities for our students, including an undergraduate minor (launched in 2023) and graduate seminar in Leadership and Civic Studies (launched in 2024), and, in 2025, Canada’s first Combined Major in Leadership and Civic Studies and Another Subject
  • We are providing expanded scholarship support for international students to encourage the growth of a diverse, globally connected community
  • An increasing number of our external research awards have significant community-engaged components

 

I’m proud to look back over the past two years and see the many positive developments that are underway – and we’re continuing to look ahead to the future with hope and optimism.

 

The full list of developments from 2022 and 2023 can be found in the section below under the title “Major Initiatives.” I invite you to explore that and the rest of the website to learn more.

 

 

 

Dr. Pamela Swett

Dean, Faculty of Humanities

Process Timeline

Winter 2020-21

Preparation for focus group meetings.

Spring 2021

Facilitated focus groups involving involving faculty, staff and students from across Humanities.

June 2021

Two half-day sessions of the Faculty’s Academic Planning Committee.

August-October 2021

Continued distillation of the notes gathered from APC sessions.

October 2021

First consultation with Indigenous colleagues on existing materials and potential action items.

November 2021

Full draft discussion with Academic Planning Committee.

December 2021

Second consultation with Indigenous colleagues; Faculty-wide feedback session.

April 2022

Public launch of the plan.

April 2023

First annual progress report posted.

April 2024

Second annual progress report posted.

Our Mission

In Humanities we discover and learn with our students and communities through creative engagement, driven by care and a commitment to justice.

___

Our Vision

Inspiring sustainable futures through humanistic education, research, and the creative arts

___

Our Values

Curiosity, Diversity, Integrity and Courage.

Goals of the plan

  • Foster community among all Humanities students, staff and faculty

  • Inspire current and prospective students and equip them for the future

  • Recruit, support, and retain faculty and staff

  • Advance understanding through research and teaching

  • Strengthen our profile and reputation

  • As integral to all these, advance equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion

Major Initiatives

Action Item 2022 Developments 2023 Developments
Establish the Humanities Student Experience Office (including Careers and Experiential Learning, Academic Advising, Awards and Scholarships, and Study Abroad)
  • Website revised to better capture HSEO services
  • Student appointment booking process streamlined to provide access to all SEO student-facing staff in academic advising and careers
  • Conversations are ongoing regarding a new physical location for HSEO staff
  • Students are now able to book appointments directly into the Advisors’ calendar. This allows students better and more timely access to academic advisors.
Design a Humanities Digital Learning Strategy
  • Working group meetings held in Winter 2022 and a report is being prepared in tandem with the university’s overall Digital Learning Strategy (framework to be released in May 2023)
  • Contributed to the university’s Digital Learning Strategy, announced in May
Develop a Humanities-specific internship program and expand career services
  • Humanities internship program launched in Winter 2022
  • Received a SAF award to hire a staff position to support the development of new curricular and co-curricular programming focused on skills
    • Environmental scan complete
    • Proposal in draft
    • Student and faculty consultations underway
  • Enhanced employer- and community partner-facing information on SEO website and OSCARplus job portal
  • In-class career workshops continue to be offered at instructors’ request
  • New Skills for Life certificate, required for all students completing a Humanities BA, approved for inclusion in the 2024-25 undergraduate calendar
  • One-to-one support for students on creating a career portfolio added in addition to existing career support topics
  • Professional headshot event for undergraduate students
  • Created videos on career-related topics (including resume writing, internship program information) for students
Attract and support an increasingly diverse body of students, including Indigenous, Black and other members of equity-deserving groups
  • Student ambassador program to support recruitment and outreach launched Spring 2023
  • Team lead for student ambassadors hired to meet regularly with ambassadors and provide guidance and support
  • Collaborate with the Black Student Success Centre and Indigenous Student Services to cross-promote and support student services
  • Offered tailored career workshops to MELD students on resumes and interviewing
  • Offered one-to-one career advising support for MELD students
  • Website/social media content, including profiles of entrance award-winners and “Game Changers” highlights a diverse range of experiences and opportunities
  • Digital marketing campaign “Humanities needs U” has won both national and international awards
Improve career services for graduate students
  • Student Success Centre SAF initiative for graduate students began in Fall 2022, and we are collaborating with the initiative
  • Participating in expanded Student Success Centre offerings for graduate students including career counselling
  • Held Linkedin optimization/headshot session for graduate students, including representation from Student Success centre
  • Supported by an SAF, the Faculty has launched a two-year study designed to shorten and improve completion rates for doctoral candidates in Humanities
Strengthen identification with the Faculty and build community across Humanities
  • Faculty Friday newsletter and Humanities website share profiles and achievements of students, faculty, staff and alumni
  • Experiential Education Community of Practice established
  • Advisory Committee on Equity formed
  • More strategic, targeted use of social media (especially Instagram) has resulted in more engagement from students, especially undergraduates
  • Increased content targeted towards graduate students (including Faculty Friday, Grad Student Guide series and research profiles) aimed at promoting a sense of community among graduate students
  • Collaboration with the MHS to distribute their newsletter has led to a more efficient and measurable process for communication efforts between students
  • Faculty Friday newsletter continues to have an average open rate of more than 50%
  • Developed a strategic communication plan to promote experiential learning opportunities open to students in the Faculty of Humanities
Expand experiential and mentorship opportunities
  • Positions available through the Humanities Career Apprenticeship Program were increased, and paid internship positions are also now available
  • The Humanities alumni mentorship program has been expanded
  • Received an SAF award to hire a staff position to support departmental experiential education courses
    • Environmental scan and report complete
    • Community of practice launched
    • Creation of workshops and resources underway
    • Outreach to departments and consultation service launched
  • Successful application for a MacPherson Student Partners Program grant to engage an undergrad or grad student in the creation of experiential resources and materials (Summer 2023)
  • Completed interviews with staff and faculty as part of a needs assessment to determine what resources are needed in order to support existing experiential learning opportunities and to facilitate the creation of new opportunities
  • Developed a definition of Experiential Education that recognizes the unique complexities of experiential education and experiential learning within the Faculty of Humanities
    • The Experiential Programming and Outreach Manager is currently working with Dave Heidebrecht (Office of the Vice-Provost, Teaching and Learning) to create a definition that will be consistent across all of McMaster
    • Faculty Friday newsletter and Humanities website share profiles and achievements of students, faculty, staff and alumni
    • Experiential Education Community of Practice established
    • Advisory Committee on Equity formed
  • Resources have included: guides on critical reflection, reflection prompts that can be adapted for a variety of contexts, and sample rubrics for grading reflection
    • Further resources are in development related to alternative assessments and alternative grading practices
    • All resources are available on Humanities Careers and Experience website
  • Created a document outlining various grant opportunities that faculty and staff can leverage to support experiential learning
  • Launched a consultation service to provide instructors with customized support for existing or new experiential learning opportunities
  • Consulted with Alumni Engagement to formalize processes for connecting instructors with alumni (as guest speakers, judges for competitions, networking events, etc.
  • Incorporated a strong experiential focus in the design of the new Wilson College BA program

 

Action Item 2022 Developments 2023 Developments
Promote international learning experiences
  • New exchange programs being developed with the University of Birmingham
  • Joint PhD program with La Sapienza (University of Rome) to be highlighted as part of new digital content
  • Support of MacLeads equity-deserving student mobility program through course release and administrative hosting of staff
  • New Major content project covering Greek & Roman Studies archaeological digs and La Sapienza joint PhD program
    • Materials from the trip have been included in university marketing materials, graduate studies promotions, development materials, rankings submissions, alumni events and university digital properties
  • Launch of international law student exchange minor with University of Birmingham
  • Signed student exchange agreement with consortium of Latin American universities
Enhance EDI in teaching and learning
  • Humanities-specific workshops for departments held by the MacPherson Institute on universal design and inclusive pedagogy
  • Support provided for caption remediation and accessible course materials
  • Together with the Faculties of Engineering and Science, the Faculty used STEER/R funding to offer two new courses in the Interdisciplinary Minor in Africa and Black Diaspora Studies in 2022-2023
  • Redesign (and renaming) of leadership certificate with a focus on EDI: now the Concurrent Certificate in Leadership, Equity & Social Change.
  • ACE members have compiled a list of departmental/unit EDI initiatives to be shared with chairs
  • Work underway to make all Faculty websites AODA compliant
  • AODA website compliance is nearing completion
  • Expansion of online course offerings to expand access
  • EDI focus in design of new Wilson College undergraduate major and minor programs
  • EDI foundation in new Skills for Life certificate
Create additional scholarships, bursaries, and research opportunities for underrepresented student groups
  • Increased funding for MIRI-led Indiginerd program
  • Successfully partnered with McMaster’s ACCESS office to offer entrance awards to equity-deserving students
  • Earmarked new bequest funds for students in Level II and up who are in need
  • Holding annual collaboration meetings with the Black Student Success Centre, Indigenous Student Services and the Student Success Centre
  • Prioritization of student bursaries and scholarships in fundraising campaign planning

 

Action Item 2022 Developments 2023 Developments
Promote undergraduate and graduate alumni engagement
  • Expanded Faculty and departmental alumni events and alumni involvement with student societies
  • Launched a virtual research series called Humanities Seminars
  • Introduced a Humanities quarterly newsletter for alumni (first issue came out in Fall 2022)
  • Recruited alumni mentors for the Humanities Career Apprenticeship Program and, potentially, for experiential and skills education
  • In collaboration with the Alumni Office, the careers team offers at least one networking event with Humanities alumni in the Fall and Winter terms
  • Humanities Seminar has become a popular annual event
  • Invited alumni to attend annual Majors Fair to connect with students regarding their education and career paths
  • Support provided for departmental alumni initiatives such as the JPPL 10th anniversary celebration
Increase and achieve fundraising goals
  • Development manager and senior development officer hires in 2022
  • Annual Faculty fundraising goal increased to $1.5 million in new gifts (achieved)
  • $50 million gift to establish the Wilson College of Leadership and Civic Engagement
  • Civic University pillar of upcoming campaign in development, to be led by Humanities and faculty of Social Sciences
Foster ties with area secondary schools
  • Visits from area schools increased in 2022
  • Guidance Counsellor Day on campus planned for 2023
  • Participation in and financial support for the Ontario Ethics Bowl
  • Ethics Bowl regional tournament hosted in early 2024, welcoming 200 high school students onto campus
Deepen connections with Indigenous communities and educational institutions
  • Indigenous Language Revitalization Diploma offered in collaboration with Six Nations Onkwawenna Kentyokhwa program
  • Collaborative Indigenous Language Revitalization Program will welcome its first cohort in September 2024
  • Annual collaboration with Indigenous Student Services to cross-promote student services and supports
Expand transfer agreements with area colleges
  • Discussions underway with Mohawk College
Promote Indigenous language revitalization through research and educational programming
  • Indigenous Language Revitalization Diploma collaboration with Six Nations Onkwawenna Kentyokhwa program
  •  Continue to provide funding for the Transnational Network for Indigenous Language Revitalization project.
Support new and existing interdisciplinary degree programs within the Faculty and with other Faculties
  • All approvals received for the BHSc in Integrated Rehabilitation Science and Humanities degree, with the first student cohort scheduled for 2024
  • Tenure track teaching resources gained for Gender and Social Justice and Global Peace and Social Justice via new hires and MOU agreements with departments
  • Three-year CLA for Global Peace and Social Justice and Gender and Social Justice secured through SAF funding.
  • Wilson College Minor in Leadership and Civic Studies launching for 2023-2024
  • Design of Wilson College joint major in Leadership and Civic Studies, with IQAP proposal to be submitted in 2023
  • Wilson College Minor in Leadership and Civic Studies launched in 2023-2024
  • Design of Wilson College Combined Major in Leadership and Civic Studies and Another Subject completed, approvals underway
  • Finalized preparations for first cohort of Integrated Rehab Sciences and Humanities degree students
Contribute to the establishment of the Indigenous Studies Department in the Faculty of Social Sciences
  • Appointment letters revised for Humanities’ Indigenous faculty members
  • Consultation ongoing regarding the new MA in Indigenous Studies
  • Indigenous Studies MA degree proposal completed and submitted for approval
Action Item 2022 Developments 2023 Developments
Play a leading role in the University’s Brighter World Research Initiative
  • Suspended during search for VP, University Advancement and UA office review
  • Civic University pillar of upcoming campaign in development, to be led by Humanities and faculty of Social Sciences
Communicate the Faculty’s research endeavours and creative practices within and beyond the university
  • Increased internal communications via social media, Brighter World and Daily News content
  • Increased media mentions, both providing expert commentary on current events for media and as contributors of content for platforms like The Conversation Canada and Policy Options
  • Updates to Research Centres and Institutes’ website in progress
  • Hired a graduate student to assist in communicating the Faculty’s research endeavours
  • Developed presentation for department meetings, outlining communications platforms for faculty and grad students
  • Initiated regular meetings with department chairs to learn about upcoming projects/funding
  • Faculty-related stories on Daily News, Brighter World and >The Conversation Canada have increased or stayed consistent
Foster international research collaborations
  • Grants from the International Initiatives Micro-Fund have facilitated international cooperation in Africa, the US and Europe
  • Support from the Faculty of Humanities and Scholars at Risk program, as well as external grants, have enabled graduate students and researchers from Ukraine and Afghanistan to come to McMaster to continue their work
  • Additional matching funds from Scholars at Risk supported ARiEAL researchers
Support interdisciplinary research and collaboration within Humanities and across the other Faculties
  • Humanities researchers have been active participants projects funded by the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA)
  • Researchers have been significant contributors (either as leads or collaborators) on inter-Faculty Future of Canada Project research grants
  • Continued to support the research support facilitator in Humanities via the provision of an RA-in-lieu
  • Implementation of new processes in the Arts Resources, Operations and Facilities unit
  • The ongoing strength of Humanities researchers was evident in the strong success rates posted in Tri-Council competitions
Support ethical community-engaged research
  • New resources, supports and consultations are available through the Student Experience Office for instructors who wish to include community-engaged learning in their classroom teaching
  • Funding secured for community-engaged research includes the SSHRC Race, Gender & Diversity Initiative Grant, New Frontiers in Research Fund Exploration Grant, Medavie Foundation Community Impact Grant, STEER/R Grant, MIRA Catalyst Grant, Future of Canada Project Grant, and Mitacs-SSHRC Joint Initiative Accelerate Funding
  • Creation of instructor training (synchronous and asynchronous) on incorporating experiential learning in the classroom
  • Significant Humanities presence in Future of Canada Project
  • Provided funding to assist research awards that address variety of needs, including older adults and climate change preparedness for Black communities
Provide more opportunities for and showcase graduate and undergraduate student involvement in research
  • Increased the value of the Undergraduate Student Research Awards to $7,500
  • Continued to support VPR/Faculty-funded RCI summer research awards, allowing two students to work with Humanities RCIs
  • Promoted student participation in MacChangers
Employ EDI best practices in all Faculty hiring, internal appointments ad awards processes
  • 25 trained Equitable Employments facilitators in Humanities are active on all searches and internal awards and administrative appointments
  • Ongoing expansion of the use of EEF across the Faculty
Expand the Faculty’s Research Time Stipend program
  • 10 RTS awards have been given out to Faculty researchers since the start of 2022
  • 15 RTS awards have now been awarded to researchers holding external grants.
Review and strengthen Humanities’ Research Centres and Institutes
  • ARiEAL, CAN, CCENA have been reviewed. Center for Peace Studies is undergoing a re-imagining process, with support from the dean’s office. IEPI is scheduled for review this year.
  • The Sherman Centre review is underway
  • BRRC is scheduled for review in 2024
  • ARiEAL received Core Research Platform status
Action Item 2022 Developments 2023 Developments
Value creative, community-engaged, interdisciplinary and Indigenous work appropriately
  • Introduced revisions in July to Faculty “points system” to better capture the time investment of community-engaged scholarship
  • Faculty matching funds for Tri-Council and other external research awards, an increasing number of which have significant community-engaged components
Develop flexible work-from-home options for staff
  • Successful continuation of flexible work-from-home options
  • Expanded work-from-home options during the summer months by giving student-facing offices the option to work remotely on Fridays
Establish faculty and staff awards for exemplary service contributions
  • Draft terms of reference to be finalized and launched in 2023
  • Engaged DAC and the ACE committee on this initiative, but colleagues chose not to pursue this action item
Improve onboarding and expand career development opportunities for new and continuing staff
  • All departmental staff attended EDI training in November 2022
  • All student-facing staff attended Professor Hippo-on-Campus Mental Health Education Program in March 2024
Contribute to McMaster’s Operational Excellence goals, including those related to environmental sustainability
  • Full-scale review of the Faculty’s Operations and Production unit complete and implementation of recommendations underway
  • ACE received $5K grant to create campus art installations celebrating the diversity of our community
  • ACE conducted an environmental scan of department-based EDI initiatives
Establish a Faculty advisory committee to coordinate EDI initiatives in teaching, research and service
  • Humanities Advisory Committee on Equity (ACE) terms of reference approved; the group began meeting in Fall 2022
Recruit, support and retain faculty and staff from Indigenous, Black and other equity-deserving groups
  • Since 2020, three-quarters of tenured, tenure- and teaching-track hires have gone to members of equity-seeking groups
  • Indigenous faculty salary review completed
  • 2022 SAF awarded to recruit a Black philosopher (CLA) in partnership with Arts and Science
  • Staff diversity is improving, according to the University’s annual HR census
  • Equity Employment Facilitators used on all hires, internal grant and leadership role search committees; more than 20 staff and faculty trained, with numbers increasing
  • Trained more employment equity facilitators, with 26 as of late 2023
  • Supported the financial administration and staff recruitment for ACFAM’s multi-Faculty STEER/R project
  • Collaborated with Arts and Science on a targeted faculty hire