York University Professor Doug Van Nort, Canada Research Chair in Digital Performance, was recognized with the School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design (AMPD) Junior Teaching Award by Interim Dean Norma Sue Fisher-Stitt on Sept. 20.
The award was presented at a reception in the Tribute Communities Recital Hall, and was given in recognition of his teaching contributions to the Digital Media program and the Departments of Music and Theatre.
Interim Dean Norma Sue Fisher-Stitt presents the Junior Teaching Award to Professor Doug Van Nort
Since joining York University in 2015, Van Nort has developed innovative courses exploring sound, performance and telematics. He has also played an important role in the development of the Digital Media Graduate program, which now offers a master of arts (MA) and a master of science (MSc), with a doctor of philosophy (PhD) coming in 2019.
The teaching award adjudication committee was impressed with Van Nort's practice of integrating students into a range of research-creation projects. He does so in such a way that each student is provided with meaningful opportunities for learning, as well as artistic experimentation and development. His DisPerSion lab has attracted an impressive and vibrant community of students and many students have joined and continued as members of the Electro-Acoustic Orchestra.
Kieran Maraj, a former student of Van Nort, wrote that that his time working with and learning from Van Nort "has absolutely been the most engaging, challenging and intellectually satisfying experience of my post-secondary career thus far.”
Rory Hoy, another student who wrote a letter supporting Van Nort's nomination, wrote, “Professor Van Nort’s classes have been the most challenging, but also the most rewarding of my university career. By forcing me to think critically about every decision along my creative process, working with him has opened pathways to future careers I had not previously considered, as well as honing my craft as a digital media creator.”
To learn more about Van Nort, visit his website.