The MacPherson Institute plays an active role in strategic initiatives that directly enhance teaching and learning—both within the Institute and across McMaster University. This work is made possible through strong partnerships that are essential to the success of teaching and learning activities campus-wide.
Over the past year, the MacPherson Institute collaborated closely with the Office of the Vice-Provost, Teaching and Learning to identify opportunities within the Partnered in Teaching and Learning Strategy—aligned with Priority 2: Teaching and Learning in the President’s Institutional Priorities and Strategic Framework—where the MacPherson Institute’s leadership and support could make a meaningful impact. The MacPherson Institute’s contributions to these objectives and activities are outlined and linked to more details below.
The MacPherson Institute supported workshops on writing and assessing pedagogical portfolios with an emphasis on illustrating professional growth. This two-part initiative was connected to funding from a PTL grant and contributes to the MacPherson Institute’s broader goal of supporting instructors in developing and evaluating teaching portfolios and related practices.
In March 2025, the MacPherson Institute hosted a full-day workshop for a group of its own staff. This pilot project focused on developing automated flows using Microsoft PowerAutomate. The goal of this workshop was to build capacity and to streamline a number of processes. 5 automations were developed successfully, staff developed new skills that they could put into practice and brainstormed new opportunities to streamline activities.
As part of the March 2025 pilot to develop automated flows, the MacPherson Institute leveraged the Microsoft PowerAutomate platform to find efficiencies in 5 departmental processes.
Institutional Priorities – Research and Scholarship