Jannik Eikenaar
Academic Director, Centre for Teaching & Learning
My key knowledge areas: postcolonial theory and literature, cultural studies, decolonizing pedagogies, equity, diversity, and inclusion, experiential learning, intercultural communication, inclusive and distributed leadership
My role within the team: As the Academic Director, I lead the CTL and guide the implementation of the CTL Strategic Plan. I am responsible for CTL strategic planning, administration of teaching awards and recognitions, and collaboration with partners at UBC Okanagan, UBC Vancouver, and beyond.
My background: I am the child of Japanese and Dutch settlers to this part of the world, and a nephew, cousin, brother, husband, father, and uncle. I am, too, an Associate Professor of Teaching in the School of Engineering, where I teach undergraduate and graduate courses in communication, chair of the Okanagan Senate Academic Policy Committee, and the former Associate Provost, IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Anti-racism). As a postcolonial scholar and a passionate educator, I am particularly interested in the individual and systemic impacts that teachers and environments have on learners, and I am strongly committed to lifelong learning and professional development.
When I’m not working: I’ll be in the kitchen (cooking and spending time with my family), in the gym (coaching and refereeing volleyball), exploring outdoors (hiking and biking), sitting in a coffee shop (reading), or planning a trip (most recently, Costa Rica).
Recent Research & Publications
Eikenaar, J. and Douglas-Campbell, K. Accessibility and Disability Justice: Professional Development for City of Kelowna Staff. (2024-present).
Eikenaar, J. and Rockthunder, W. Gathering for Indigenous Reconciliation of Engineering Education. (2023-present).
Sim, J., Jung, M., Eikenaar., J., and Chooniedass, R. “Development of an equity, diversity, and inclusion curriculum initiative for undergraduate STEM students.” Journal of Teaching and Learning (accepted June 2024, and forthcoming)
Eisenstein, A. and Eikenaar, J. “Reflection on how to prepare students for respectful and meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities in engineering contexts.” Presentation at the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Pacific NW Section. Conference. (2024).
Eikenaar, J. and Verrett, J. “High-Impact Practices: Reflections on Current Practices.” Presentation at the Canadian Engineering Education Association (CEEA) 2023 Conference.