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at the University of Toronto

Student Flourishing

We have dedicated ourselves to stimulating and promoting conversations about – and building resources for – creating a culture of care and well-being in academic spaces and classrooms.

Research and Practice in Student Flourishing

We are a key member of the Flourishing Academic Network (FAN), a collaboration of research universities with academic centers focused on student flourishing, which the group defines as involving both physical and mental health and a deep sense of well-being that includes an appreciation of the interrelationships of humans and the environment. In addition to University of Toronto, member institutions include University of Virginia, Brown, Penn State, Stanford, UC Berkeley, University of Colorado, University of Washington, and University of Wisconsin.

In 2021, incoming doctoral student Rory Tasker is doing research on exemplary instances of pedagogy and instructional development that will become part of an upcoming website called “Flourishing University”. He is also working with recorded interviews with key people involved in various Student Flourishing Initiatives, especially as inspired by the University of Wisconsin/University of Virginia course, “The Art and Science of Human Flourishing.”

Conversations on Supporting Mental Health in our Classrooms

A Conversation on Supporting Mental Health in our Classrooms, recorded March 4, 2021, featuring Bill Ju (Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, Human Biology, Neuroscience and Health/Disease, and Associate Dean, Student Affairs, Faculty of Arts & Science), Alexandra Guerson (Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, New College – recipient of the 2020-21 June Larkin Award for Pedagogical Development), Marina Heifetz (Lecturer, Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health Program, New College), Frances Garrett (Associate Professor of Buddhist Studies, Department for the Study of Religion and Director, Centre for Buddhist Studies), and other participants
Dr Marina Heifetz, C.Psych, Ph.D., is a Child and Adolescent Psychologist and Director of Child and Family Services at York Region CBT. She also teaches in the Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health Program at New College, at the University of Toronto. In this presentation she follows up on our March 4 conversation above with expanded suggestions and context.

Dr Heifetz’ selection of Visual Check-Ins can be found here.

Frances Garrett, Director of the Centre for Buddhist Studies, speaks about her experiences designing classroom experiences to prioritize inclusivity and care for all students, especially in the age of a pandemic.

Past events

October 31, 2019 – How to Talk to Students about Mental Health

Select bibliography on building communities of care in the classroom and on trauma-informed pedagogy

Selected Resources on Ungrading

https://www.jessestommel.com/ungrading-a-bibliography/

https://www.humanrestorationproject.org/the-need

https://onehe.org/eu-activity/alternative-approaches-to-grading/

EPISODE 350 in the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast, on Ungrading with Susan D. Blum, February 25, 2021

logo for U of T Robert H.N Ho family foundation center for buddhist studies
The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation

The University of Toronto operates on land that for thousands of years it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and  the Mississaugas of the Credit. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land. Learn more about this history.