Psychology professor Dr. Geneviève Desmarais honoured with 2025 Tucker Teaching Award
Psychology professor Dr. Geneviève Desmarais is the recipient of the 2025 Tucker Teaching Award at Ƶ Allison — the highest teaching honour at the University. Since 2008, Desmarais has taught nine different courses at Ƶ Allison in the psychology and biopsychology programs and regularly develops new multidisciplinary courses in the area of neuropsychology. She will receive the award at the morning Convocation ceremony for Science and Commerce graduates on Monday, May 12.
“It’s rather humbling [to receive this award] really, considering the excellent colleagues I work with every day,” says Desmarais. “At the same time, it’s quite empowering.”
Desmarais’ teaching philosophy is based on students moving towards a growth mindset — where they take ownership of their own learning — and the development of critical thinking. She also believes learning is most impactful when students engage with the material in a meaningful way and when it is relevant to their futures outside of the classroom. She adds meaning to theory by providing real-life, personal, and often humorous examples in class.
“I aim to make my courses relevant for all my students’ futures, even if they aren’t pursuing a career in psychology, by helping them to develop written and oral communication skills and participation in group work,” she says.
Desmarais’ courses range from Intro to Psychology to Advanced Topics in Behavioural Neuroscience, and Psychology, Science, and Science-Fiction. She recently developed courses in Society and the Brain, developing public-speaking and group work skillsets, and Exercise and Cognitive Function — an area of active research in neuroscience. She coordinates the cognitive science program, was a key contributor to the development of the biopsychology honours/major program, and helped shape the Certificate in Biopsychology at Ƶ Allison — creating more interdisciplinary opportunities for students.
Known for going above and beyond for her students, Desmarais has supervised 34 honours students and 36 independent study students during her time at Ƶ Allison.
As one of her nominators, Dr. Nancy Garon, says, “She gives wholeheartedly to all her research students, providing them with strong guidance and many opportunities from attending national conferences to supporting them in publishing their research. She continues to provide this mentorship even once students graduate from Ƶ Allison.”
In 2023, Desmarais was named a Fellow of the Society for Brain, Behaviour, and Cognitive Sciences and is the President of the Canadian Society for Brain, Behaviour, and Cognitive Sciences.
Established by Edmund, Harold, and William Tucker in memory of their parents, the Herbert and Leota Tucker Teaching Award is intended to encourage excellence in teaching at Ƶ Allison University by acknowledging those who exemplify this excellence.
