Kieran Bhaskara - Dissertation du lauréat, 2025
As an undergraduate, I never thought much about the art of teaching mathematics. My professors all had remarkably different teaching styles, and I assumed that teaching was just “part of their job,” rather than a skill that could be studied in its own right. This completely changed when I began my graduate studies in pure mathematics.
While researching commutative algebra, I published three papers and received several awards and honours, including national and provincial scholarships, scientific communication awards, and a selective opportunity to conduct and present my research in Japan. I also held various teaching roles, where I observed many undergrads stop studying pure math after struggling with proof-based courses. I have since become committed to helping students improve their mathematical reasoning. Through my studies, I have met many researchers and educators with this shared interest and was invited to attend various education conferences across Canada.
Now a second-year PhD student at McMaster University, I am continuing my research in algebra, while simultaneously exploring my new passion: mathematics education. I am working to integrate math education philosophies into my department by discussing pedagogy with fellow graduate students and participating in education workshops, especially those focused on my goal of improving mathematical reasoning among early undergraduate students. My commitment to teaching has been noticed by several of my own students, who have nominated me for a university-wide teaching award.
This scholarship would help me towards my goal of becoming a professor who’s not only passionate about math, but teaching too.