Dr. Vincent Bouchard to receive the 2025 Excellence in Teaching Award

Ottawa, ON – The Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS) is pleased to announce Dr. Vincent Bouchard (University of Alberta) as the recipient of the 2025 Excellence in Teaching Award. This award recognizes sustained and distinguished contributions in teaching at the post-secondary undergraduate level at a Canadian institution.

Dr. Bouchard earned his Bachelor of Science in Physics from the Université de Montréal in 2001. He then pursued a PhD in Mathematics at the University of Oxford (Magdalen College). Following his doctoral studies, he spent several years as a Postdoctoral Fellow at various prestigious North American institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania, the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (University of California), the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics (University of Waterloo), and Harvard University. In 2009, Dr. Bouchard joined the University of Alberta, where he has held various positions, progressing from assistant professor to associate professor and associate chair, and is now a full professor.

Dr. Bouchard has consistently contributed to the development of innovative teaching materials, alternative assessment methods, technological tools, and interdisciplinary lessons, long before the establishment of tenured teaching faculty. He played a key role in revising the undergraduate mathematics curriculum at the University of Alberta, notably through the creation of the MATH 144/146 calculus sequence, which prompted broader changes in calculus instruction at the university. The use of the STACK assessment system, along with pre-class videos, helped enhance student engagement and understanding. This approach has since inspired similar reforms in other courses, including the full flipping of the life sciences calculus curriculum. Dr. Bouchard’s teaching innovations extend to more advanced senior courses, where he revamped the four-course calculus sequence to incorporate vector calculus through differential forms, and introduced modern techniques such as “ungrading” while promoting student metacognition. In addition to his work in the classroom, Dr. Bouchard has been a strong advocate for mathematics research careers and has led national mathematics education initiatives. His involvement in national teaching conferences and workshops reflects his commitment to the broader mathematical community.

Students of Dr. Bouchard particularly appreciate his passion for mathematics as well as his mentorship. To quote one of them:

“His passion for teaching is so infectious that it inevitably seeps into your learning journey, even over a short period. […] [His] ability to make math accessible through his passion and style of teaching made every person not feel forced to participate but instead really want to participate when he would propose questions.”

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Bouchard has made significant contributions to the national mathematics education community. He served as a lead organizer for the 2019 First Year Math & Stats in Canada (FYMSiC) conference at the University of Alberta, an event that underscored the importance of national collaboration in mathematics pedagogy. His involvement in these events is notable among research faculty in Canada, as he is often one of the only representatives of research-active professors, advocating for the integration of mathematics research within the teaching community. Dr. Bouchard is a regular participant in FYMSiC conferences and recently co-organized the BIRS workshop on mathematical reasoning. Through these efforts, he plays a key role in connecting teaching and research communities, demonstrating his commitment to advancing mathematics education at the national level. Additionally, he was instrumental in co-organizing a two-week Mathematics Summer Camp at the Ermineskin Cree Nation, where he worked with grade 6–9 students. This experience helped inspire young students to consider futures in STEM fields and fostered early academic aspirations.

Dr. Bouchard’s strong dedication to outreach is complemented by his rigorous research activities. He has been a recipient of the NSERC Discovery Grant since 2010 and has contributed more than 40 publications in journals and books. His research interests lie at the intersection of mathematics and physics, specifically in the areas of geometry and string theory. He is particularly focused on using string dualities to discover new mathematical structures within geometry.

Dr. Bouchard’s accomplishments have been acknowledged through numerous awards. In 2001, he was awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship at Magdalen College, University of Oxford. Throughout his career at the University of Alberta, he has received several accolades, including the Blended Learning Award (2014), the Instructor of Distinction Honor Roll (2015), the Excellence in Teaching Award (2016), the Innovation in Teaching Award (2016), and the Rutherford Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching (2018). In 2019, he was also named an Edmonton Science Fellow by TELUS World of Science.

In summary, Dr. Bouchard’s significant contributions to undergraduate education are particularly remarkable given his ongoing commitment to a rigorous research career. His influence extends beyond the classroom, making him an important figure in mathematics education across the country, inspiring individuals at various levels, including students, instructors, researchers, and administrators. The CMS is proud to award Dr. Vincent Bouchard the 2025 Excellence in Teaching Award.

About the Excellence in Teaching Award
The Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes sustained and distinguished contributions in mathematics education at the post-secondary undergraduate level at a Canadian institution. The award was established in 2004 to recognize teaching excellence as exemplified by effectiveness in the classroom and/or commitment and dedication to teaching students.

For more information, visit the Excellence in Teaching Award page.

About the Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS)
The Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS) is the main national organization whose goal is to promote and advance the discovery, learning and application of mathematics. The Society’s activities cover the whole spectrum of mathematics including meetings, research publications, and the promotion of excellence in mathematics competitions that recognize outstanding student achievements. The CMS is a registered non-profit, charitable organization and depends on grants, funding, and generous donations from sponsors, benefactors and community members to be able to carry out its activities.

For more information about the CMS Excellence in Teaching Award, please contact:

Dr. David Pike (Memorial) Chair, CMS Excellence in Teaching Award Committee Canadian Mathematical Society chair-tasc@cms.math.ca

or

Dr. Termeh Kousha Executive Director Canadian Mathematical Society tkousha@cms.math.ca