Innovation in Graduate Education

The School of Graduate Studies supports innovation in graduate education across the University of Toronto. Initiatives like Healthy Labs and the Centre for Graduate Mentorship and Supervision are in place to ensure that wellness, equity, diversity and inclusion are core principles in graduate education and research. Explore our new initiatives developed to improve the graduate student experience and assist supervisors and graduate units in promoting student success.


Graduate Education Innovation Fund

This new fund from the School of Graduate Studies aims to support projects within and across academic divisions and units, that create positive, innovative changes in the design and delivery of graduate education at the University of Toronto. Ten seed grants of a maximum of $5,000 each will be available on an annual basis. 

This is a three-year pilot project beginning Fall 2021, after which a review process will ensue, to ensure the initiative meets its goals. 


Goals

The goal of the GEIF program is to advance innovative educational practices within and across programs and curricula, including both the classroom and field settings, and in the student-faculty member mentorship relationship. We invite proposals that advance at least one of the fund’s nine themes. If you have a proposal that falls outside the areas listed, please liaise with SGS to discuss suitability.


Eligibility

University of Toronto faculty members with continuing appointments are eligible to apply. Typically, applicants will hold Graduate Faculty Membership with SGS. Collaborators can include librarians, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows etc., as appropriate to the project. 

Learn more and apply.


Healthy Labs Initiative

Healthy laboratory environments are vital for student and faculty success, and for the quality of research that stems from our laboratories. Under the direction of Professor Reinhart Reithmeier, the Health Labs Initiative seeks to:

  1. Identify global and local best practices in lab management;
  2. Develop a Healthy Lab ‘Charter’, which individual laboratories at the university could adopt; and
  3. Outline a strategy for delivering Healthy Lab programming to researchers across the University’s three campuses and in affiliated research institutes.

Resources / Links


The Centre for Graduate Mentorship and Supervision (CGMS)

Supervision of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows is an essential activity in a research-intensive university. To maintain and build upon its status as an international leader in graduate research and education, the University of Toronto is committed to ensuring that students, postdoctoral fellows, and supervisors receive ready access to high-quality supports that enhance the quality of mentorship and supervision and assist individuals experiencing challenges.


Our vision

To enhance the quality of graduate mentorship and supervision and encourage the spread of innovative practices requires a coordinated effort across multiple U of T offices and a highly visible entity to help lead the charge. Located within the School of Graduate Studies, the Centre for Graduate Mentorship and Supervision (CGMS) will serve as the focal point for supports, learning, and outreach aimed at promoting excellence in graduate mentorship and supervision to supervisees, supervisors, and other members of the graduate community.


Our commitment

To ensure we provide: 

  • Person centered and solution focused approach 
  • Timely and responsive service 
  • Supporting and educating graduate student and supervisors in best practices and expectations as they related to supervision and mentorship. 
  • Essential and up to date resources  
  • Provision of high-quality training