News

Announcements of Retirements in FASS

Congratulations to our colleagues who have retired or will retire from ±«Óãtv University this year:

Dr. Leona MacLeod, Assistant Professor, Department of Classics (retired as of December 31, 2025)

Dr. Hans-Gunther Schwarz, Professor: McCulloch Chair in German, Department of German (retired as of April 30, 2025)

Dr. Maria-José Giménez, Associate Professor, Department of Spanish and Latin American Studies (retired as of June 30, 2025)

Dr. Brian Noble, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology (retired as of June 30, 2025)

Michele Edgerton, Administrative Coordinator, Department of History (will be retired as of September 30, 2025)

Pictured left to right: Dr. Emma Whalen (Chair of the Department of Sociology and Social Antrhopology), Dr. Brian Nobel, and Dean Jennifer Andrews

Pictured left to right; Dr. Gary Kynoch (Chair of the Department of History), Michele Edgerton, and Dean Jennifer Andrews

FASS Faculty and Staff Award Recipients

As the spring 2025 term drew to a close, Dean Jennifer Andrews presented three very deserving members of the FASS community with the annual FASS Faculty and Staff Awards! Congratulations to this year's award recipients:

Award for Service Excellence:

Dr. Roberta Barker, Professor and Associate Director of Theatre, Fountain School of Performing Arts

This annual award honours a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in service and professional contributions to committee processes, departmental and Faculty leadership, and other administrative service.

Award for Excellence in Teaching:

Dr. Ruben Zaiotti, Professor, Department of Political Science and Director, Jean Monnet European Union Centre of Excellence

This annual award honours a faculty member who has made an outstanding contribution to teaching, mentoring, and serving the students of the Faculty. The award is intended, above all, to underline the fundamental importance of effective and/or innovative pedagogy.

Staff Award for Excellence in Service:

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Staff Award for Excellence in Service was awarded to Nicole Drysdale, Undergraduate & Graduate Secretary for the Department of International Development Studies.

This annual award recognizes a staff member who has made an exceptional contribution to supporting FASS faculty members and students.

FASS faculty member awarded Dal teaching award

±«Óãtv Alumni Association Faculty Award of Excellence for Teaching

Dr. Liesl Gambold, Sociology & Social Anthropology and Coordinator of the Gender and Women’s Studies Program

Dr. Liesl Gambold's ability to cultivate an accessible and inclusive learning environment coupled with her dedication to fostering meaningful connections with students beyond the classroom distinguishes her as an exceptional educator.

In her 20 years at ±«Óãtv, she has developed a reputation for outstanding dedication to student engagement, mentorship, and innovative teaching methods.

For all this and more, Dr. Gambold was chosen as this year's recipient of Dal's top teaching award. Read about all of this year's winners in Dal News.

Fountain School of Performing Arts year in review

The Fountain School of Performing Arts hosted an amazing array of events this year at its venues across two buildings. Its main stage productions included a post-apocalyptic drama, an operatic Cinderella, a grand concerto night, a historical dress presentation, and a heartbreaking Chekhovian finale. These were supplemented by over a hundred multi-disciplinary concerts, masterclasses, workshops and performances. This stunning year at the Fountain School showcased the remarkable talent and hard work of the School’s students, faculty, and staff.