Change is a constant and so is the fight against injustice. And both are key components of Jeff Halvorsen's courses at Royal Roads University, including Case Studies in Transdisciplinary Justice.Â
For his efforts to facilitate transformation among students and a deeper understanding of justice in the modern world, Halvorsen is the 2024 recipient of RRU's Kelly Awards New Teacher Award. Â Â
The Kelly Awards, created in recognition of Dr. Gerald O. Kelly, the first installed president of RRU, recognize teachers who promote Royal Roads' learner-centred philosophy and make positive contributions to teaching excellence.Â
Halvorsen, an associate faculty member in the School of Humanitarian Studies who previously taught social work at the University of Calgary, says his classes focus on personal reflection while studying challenges ranging from the global pandemic to Black Lives Matter calls to justice to Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women calls to action.Â
"We're all coming at these complex topics from different experiences, different positionalities and cultures. And everybody has different things that they need to learn," Halvorsen explains. "There are different perspectives of what is justice. What brings us together is a shared commitment to working toward a better world. Â
"I'm really quite dedicated to developing space and opportunity for student transformation, that transformative learning where people come in and seek to challenge what we take for granted about the world and develop a new understanding," he adds. Â
Indeed, the Kelly Awards selection committee noted his focus on "creating an ethical, inclusive and courageous space that allows an expression of vulnerability for himself and his students and facilitating open and respectful dialogue on complex topics and supporting students in difficult conversations."Â
Topics covered in the Interdisciplinary Justice course have included the over-surveillance and policing of Indigenous and Black families by child welfare, learning from a first-person account; and even an examination of homelessness encampments such as that at Vancouver's Crab Park from the perspectives of the human right to housing and security and the obligations of the state.Â
One practice Halvorsen incorporates is race-based caucusing because Black, Indigenous and racialized students often have things they want to discuss separately. When all students come back together, they report out what happened in those separate spaces and discussion ensues.Â
"The idea that where there are those positions of privilege, we really need to be courageous and uncomfortable it's OK to be uncomfortable and challenge what we think we know," he says.Â
Asked about his approach to teaching, Halvorsen says: "I like being in the business of being alongside people as we upend what they take for granted myself included." Â
And he notes: "This is not an individual pursuit. I feel really quite grateful for all the profs I've been able to work alongside and the people who have gone before me at Royal Roads. It's really quite an incredible place to teach."Â
The Kelly Outstanding Teaching Awards are open to all Royal Roads University faculty members who are actively engaged in teaching for-credit or non-credit courses at RRU. A call for nominations is sent out each spring to faculty, staff, and students. Learn more about the awards and see past recipients.Â
Learn more about the School of Humanitarian Studies.Â
