Caucus Member Profile: David Holloway

Caucus Member Profile: David Holloway

Many FSA members are active in our Caucus on Part-Time Studies (COPTS), Caucus on Applied Research & Advanced Studies (CARAS), and our Equity Caucus (EC). Descriptions and terms of references for each caucus can be found here. This is a profile of one of the members of CARAS.

Name

David Holloway, FSA member and a member of the FSA Caucus on Applied Research & Advanced Studies (CARAS)

Department

Faculty, BCIT Mathematics

How long have you been at BCIT?

Twenty-two years

What do you wish everyone knew about BCIT?

That there’s such a diversity of programs, including bachelors and masters level technology degrees. In particular, supporting these quickly changing technologies and giving the students hands-on training requires faculty who are up to date and contributing to their academic fields. Supporting research, through faculty time and infrastructure, is an important part of maintaining and expanding the quality of a BCIT education.

What is something interesting happening in your Program or Department work right now?

Like all departments, Math is working hard in the new world of online delivery. Zoom coffee breaks have been great for sharing software and teaching tips, it’s really helped with adopting and testing different approaches. I think we all keenly feel a gap between what we can teach online-only vs. in-person.

Why are you a member of the FSA Caucus on Applied Research & Advanced Studies (CARAS)?

I became involved to advocate for faculty support for research and to make research part of the educational fabric at BCIT, specifically by involving students and trainees in projects.

What is important for you about the FSA focusing on the realities of members working in these areas?

It is important to have the FSA’s support and backing as faculty push for recognition of research as a potential job activity that benefits BCIT’s educational quality

What would you improve about the working conditions for research and advanced studies at BCIT?

The chief issues are to protect faculty time to establish and run research programs (that align with BCIT research strategies), and to clarify and support student and trainee participation in research at BCIT.