Julie Vale

Headshot of Julie Vale
Associate Professor, Associate Director Undergraduate Studies
School of Engineering
Email: 
jvale@uoguelph.ca
Phone number: 
(519) 824-4120 ext. 54863
Office: 
THRN 2340
Available positions for grads/undergrads/postdoctoral fellows: 
No

Find Related People by Keyword

Capstone Experiences, Computer Engineering, Engineering and Social Justice, Engineering Education, Engineering systems and computing, Pedagogy, Problem Analysis Skills, School Administration

Education and Employment Background

Dr. Julie Vale received her PhD from the University of Waterloo in Electrical and Computer Engineering in 2010. Vale joined the School of Engineering at the University of Guelph in 2012 and has taught numerous Engineering courses ranging from the first year to graduate courses and including topics such as linear algebra, electric circuits, control theory and design, and systems theory. She is now an Associate Professor and the Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies for the School of Engineering.

Research Themes 

Vale’s research focus is on Engineering Education and Pedagogy. She seeks to improve the design and delivery of Engineering curriculum, courses, and assessments with the goal of helping students achieve the desired program outcomes. This research could have far ranging benefits: by helping educators to better understand how to instill desired attributes in our Engineering students, those students will be better positioned to serve society in their capacity as professional Engineers. Key areas of focus include:

  1. Building problem analysis skills via assessments: Vale is part of a research team that is developing a tool to assist instructors in building assessments that promote problem solving skills rather than promoting memorization.
  2. Values and competencies in Capstone Experiences: With international, cross-disciplinary co-investigators, Vale is investigating the similarities and differences between desired outcomes of Capstone experiences across institution types, countries, and disciplines.
  3. Engineering and Social Justice: Vale believes that building student and faculty appreciation of the intersections between social justice and engineering is crucial to empowering engineers to fulfil their mandate to serve the public. She is developing a new course and minor in Engineering for Social Justice, and will be assessing the design and development to provide a roadmap for other Engineering Educators who wish to implement similar programs at their institution.

Highlights

  • D2L Innovation Guild research grant recipient (2021)
  • UGFA Distinguished Professor Award for Excellence in Teaching (2016)
  • Member, IEEE (2005-present) and IEEE Education Society, 2020-present
  • Member, Canadian Engineering Education Association, 2015-present

Media Coverage

Women in Engineering