Mount Allison economics professor Dr. Craig Brett receives top awards for teaching and research
2009-05-11 11:43:53
Economist honoured with the esteemed Tucker Teaching Award, Paul Paré Medal
SACKVILLE, NB — The Mount Allison economics professor known as the ‘Voice of the Football Mounties’ is being recognized for his exceptional teaching and research endeavours. Dr. Craig Brett, economics professor and Canada Research Chair in Canadian Public Policy, is this year’s recipient of both the Herbert and Leota Tucker Teaching Award, Mount Allison’s most prestigious teaching award, and the Paul Paré Medal, recognizing contributions of outstanding quality that demonstrate a balanced approach to teaching, research/creative performance, scholarship, service, and outreach. Dr. Brett is the first faculty member ever at Mount Allison to receive both these awards in the same year.
Dr. Craig Brett is a graduate of Mount Allison and has taught at the University since 2001. He has taught courses in three areas, mathematics, economics, and Canadian Studies and is the Canada Research Chair in Canadian Public Policy. In addition to his teaching and research, Craig is also known on campus as the announcer on CHMA radio for all the Mount Allison Mountie football games.
Mount Allison University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Campbell says, “Craig is known on campus and beyond for both his innovative teaching style and remarkable research endeavours. That he is the recipient of the top two teaching and research awards this year shows his winning, balanced approach to both. I would like to congratulate Craig, on behalf of the entire University community, for these latest successes.”
Described as “a proven magician in the classroom” by a former student, Dr. Brett is known for his innovative teaching methods, making even the most complex economic theories accessible. While most of us don’t think of writing when we picture economic theories, Dr. Brett constantly works to find ways to enhance student writing. This includes a wide variety of assignments, from the traditional term paper, to commentaries on published articles, and editorial-style columns. Students are able to submit drafts and critique each other’s work.
Dr. Brett has also developed an interesting approach to increase his students’ critical thinking — question portfolios. Students submit a written question once a week, which Craig answers. The students keep the questions and answers in a portfolio.
On the research side, Dr. Brett is widely known for his work on many economic systems, most notably taxes. He is regularly in demand by the media to explain economic-related news items, such as complicated issues regarding budget and fiscal policy, and is working on a study that could play a role in potentially changing the Canadian income tax system as we know it. Working with a colleague at Tennessee’s Vanderbilt University, Dr. Brett is examining optimal income tax theory, looking at elements such as taxpayer mobility (whether people move because of taxes and if this is different depending on their tax bracket), social insurance, and program offerings.
The Herbert and Leota Tucker Teaching award, established by Edmund, Harold, and William Tucker in memory of their parents, is intended to encourage excellence in teaching at Mount Allison University by acknowledging those who exemplify this excellence.
Photo caption: Mount Allison University economics professor and Canada Research Chair in Canadian Public Policy Dr. Craig Brett, right, is this year’s recipient of both the Herbert and Leota Tucker Teaching Award and the Paul Paré Medal this year. Dr. Brett is the first faculty member ever to receive both awards during the same year and will be recognized at Convocation ceremonies on May 25.
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