Applications are now open for a new award honouring the late Dr. Catherine Fichten, longtime Dawson Psychology professor, active researcher, mentor, and co-director of the Adaptech Research Network.

The Dr. Catherine Fichten Future Researcher Award will be given to a graduating student with a disability who shows passion for pursuing academic research in psychology or a related field.

Through her research, Catherine highlighted how technology and other factors shape the lives of individuals with disabilities, helping make post-secondary education more inclusive. She was equally devoted to mentoring and supervising students, especially those with disabilities, encouraging them to pursue advanced studies and careers in research.

Over many years, she guided students as research assistants on Adaptech projects, giving them valuable experience in conducting and publishing studies.

Two Dawson graduates who benefited from Catherine’s mentorship were instrumental in creating the new award in her memory. Jennison Mark Asuncion (Continuing Education, Class of 1998) and Chris Gaulin (Social Science – Commerce, Class of 2003) developed it in collaboration with Dawson’s Awards Officer, Jessie Evans.

Chris believes the award will help continue Catherine’s mission of empowering students with disabilities: “Catherine was a huge promoter of students with disabilities, always giving them new opportunities for growth and advancing their academic careers. I wanted to make sure that her legacy of supporting students carried on.”

Jennison, who co-directed the Adaptech Research Network with Catherine from 1999 until her passing on Oct. 31, 2024, said: “Dr. Fichten was so very passionate about increasing the representation of people with disabilities in academic research because she felt who best to study and understand the complexities and nuances of the lives of people with disabilities than researchers who themselves have that lived experience.”

Jennison’s career path was deeply shaped by Catherine’s mentorship: “As someone who has been blind almost since birth, I know personally the significant role tech has played in enabling me to succeed through school and onward to where I am today,” he said.

“Dr. Fichten exposed me to fundamental research skills as well as allowing me to build skills in programming and team management. She also enabled me to gain experience managing and co-authoring ground-breaking research studies, primarily examining the use of ICTs by Canadian college and university students with different disabilities.”

Jennison is now Head of Accessibility Engineering Evangelism at LinkedIn and Co-Founder of Global Accessibility Awareness Day.

“The fact that what I do now has to do with positively impacting the lives of people with disabilities who want to access all things digital is due in large part to the early exposure I had through my work with Dr. Fichten,” he said.

Chris also worked with Catherine during and after his time at Dawson.

“She was constantly connecting me with new people and encouraging me to take on new challenges,” he recalled. “Her meticulousness with every survey and report instilled a rigour in me that has stuck with me throughout my career. Catherine was all about questions. I still routinely hear her voice in the back of my head challenging my assumptions.”

Catherine’s influence endures through the many students she mentored over the years.

“This award is an opportunity for those of us who benefited from her selflessness to continue her work,” Chris said.