91ÅÝܽ

Awards

FASS researchers receive inaugural SFU Research Excellence Awards

March 13, 2025

Congratulations to Indigenous Studies assistant professor Chelsey Geralda Armstrong and Gerontology professor Habib Chaudhury who were both named the inaugural recipients of 91ÅÝܽ's Research Excellence Awards. 

Armstrong and Chaudhury are among the six SFU faculty members who were honoured with these awards for their outstanding scholarship and cumulative research impact. 

The awards celebrate researchers who are building capacity in their disciplines, fostering collaboration, promoting public understanding, and driving positive change within and beyond academia. Two award categories were offered in this inaugural year: The Horizon Award for early career researchers and the Milestone Award for a research or scholarly contribution that has led to demonstrable outcomes and transformative impacts in the past three years. The winners receive $5,000 and will be recognized at the SFU Awards Celebration on March 26.

Horizon Award

Chelsey Geralda Armstrong

Indigenous Studies

Armstrong is a leader in the field of historical ecology and environmental archaeology, specifically at the intersection of land use and colonialism in the Pacific Northwest. She is an influential scholar whose career trajectory in both western academia and Indigenous sovereignty is innovative and unique, leading to extensive media coverage and research funding. Though still a junior scholar, her ability to bridge the often-fraught divide between western academia and Indigenous science and epistemology is impressive, cementing her as a leader and expert in her field and earning her the respect of colleagues and communities both domestically and internationally.

Milestone Award

Habib Chaudhury

Gerontology

Chaudhury led the path-breaking Dementia Inclusive Streets and Community Access, Participation, and Engagement (DemSCAPE) project. The project generated an evidence base for planning and design strategies to support mobility and engagement for people living with dementia. Resources include an education/advocacy video and discussion guide for community groups, planning and design guidelines for the development of dementia-inclusive neighbourhoods, and an e-learning course for planners, developers and urban designers. His team is working with municipalities to integrate these resources into their Dementia Friendly Action Plans. Chaudhury has also lent his expertise to improve infrastructure and care practices in long-term care facilities in Canada and abroad.

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