Best Practices Network

Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education Congress 2025
2025-05-31 - 2025-06-03 | George Brown College, Toronto
Registration is now open for the 2025 Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education (CSSHE) Conference. This hybrid event hosted at George Brown College in Toronto will feature live-streamed and on-demand sessions for virtual participants, as well as networking opportunities and a reception dinner for on-site participants. This year’s theme, Rethinking Togetherness encourages attendees to reflect on how to create a shared, cooperative space that connects diverse approaches to learning and knowledge creation. It aims to reimage our roles and duties amid ongoing climate and humanitarian crises, rapidly changing technologies, social fragmentation, displacement, and growing societal divisions.
Register for Congress 2025 here

Cultivating Campus Flourishing: The Thriving in Action Story
2025-06-04 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Toronto) | Online
Join The Best Practices Network for two webinars spotlighting Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) Thriving in Action (TiA) program.
TiA was developed by Dr. Diana Brecher (Clinical Psychologist) and Dr. Deena Kara Shaffer (PhD) and has been peer-reviewed and rated as a “Best” practice for the Best Practices Library. TiA guides learners through key habits, mindsets, and tools for personal and academic resilience, drawing from Positive Psychology practices, CBT insights, and wholistic learning strategies. TiA is an upstream, early alert program for equity-deserving students who struggle academically and personally.
In this session, Dr. Brecher and Dr. Shaffer will share the evolution of TiA, showcasing how thoughtful conversations between colleagues blossomed into a framework supporting diverse learners across Canada. Attendees will discover TiA’s approach that combines the Five Factor Model of Resilience with the Five Features of Wide Awake Learning, and creates spaces where all identities and learning paths are honoured. Dr. Brecher and Dr. Shaffer will illustrate how TiA fosters both academic success and personal flourishing through research findings and student voices—delving into how these elements might enrich attendees’ own educational context.
Register here

CACUSS 2025 Conference
2025-06-08 - 2025-06-11 | Halifax, Nova Scotia
The CACUSS 2025 conference will take place June 8th to 11th in Halifax, NS, with the theme “Keeping the wind in our sails; Cultivating joy in our purpose.” The theme speaks to the essence of our roles as student affairs and service professionals with a mission to champion students interests, offer holistic support, and acknowledge the diverse identities and viewpoints of students.
Register for the conference here

Canadian Psychological Association’s 86th Annual National Convention
2025-06-12 - 2025-06-14 | St. John’s, Newfoundland
The Canadian Psychological Association’s 86th Annual National Convention will take place over three days in St. John’s Newfoundland and feature keynote addresses, live presentations, and networking opportunities with attendees and exhibitors. Sessions at the convention will encompass thirteen thematic areas including: creating a healthy(ier) planet; Improving and promoting health; understanding the mind and the brain; Examining what, where, when, why and how we learn and perform; and informing public policy.
Early bird registration ends on April 4th.
Register for the convention here

Data Visualization
2025-06-12 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Winnipeg) | Online
The Canadian Evaluation Society Manitoba Chapter in partnership with the United Way Winnipeg is hosting a six-part workshop on evaluation tools. Each session is tailored to equip nonprofit professionals with the hands-on expertise and insights needed to develop, carry out, and assess robust evaluations. The workshops are stand-alone, allowing participants to select the sessions most applicable to their interests. Whether you are new to evaluation or seeking to refine your existing methods, this series will provide the tools to make evidence-based decisions and showcase your organization’s performance.
Data visualization enables us to convey meaningful stories through data—revealing patterns and trends that might otherwise go unnoticed. This workshop facilitated by Aynslie Hinds, PhD, aims to equip participants with knowledge, practical skills, and methods to extract insights from their data and present them in clear, accessible formats. The session will include a combination of instruction, interactive exercises, and opportunities for discussion.
Register for the workshop here

The International Health Promoting Campuses 2025 Conference
2025-06-16 - 2025-06-19 | Limerick, Ireland
Save the date for the 2025 International Health Promoting Campuses Conference (IHPCC) taking place in Limerick, Ireland. The 2025 conference marks 10 years since the creation of the Okanagan Charter. The theme of conference is to reflect on the advancements in campus health promotion since the signing of the Charter and discuss what comes next, such as opportunities for collaboration and evaluation.
Learn more about the conference here

Understanding Problematic Pornography Use Among Post-Secondary Students
2025-06-19 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Toronto) | Online
Join the Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health (CICMH) for a webinar on Problematic Pornography Use (PPU) among post-secondary students and its effects on their mental well-being and interpersonal relationships. Dr. Beáta Bőthe and Émilie Gaudet from the University of Montréal will delve into the underlying reasons for pornography consumption, indicators of problematic usage, potential harms, screening methods, and treatment strategies for PPU, as well as its influence on romantic partnerships.
Register for the webinar here

Perspectives on Implementing The Thriving in Action Program in Campus Settings
2025-06-25 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Toronto) | Online
Join The Best Practices Network for two webinars spotlighting Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) Thriving in Action (TiA) program.
TiA was developed by Dr. Diana Brecher (Clinical Psychologist) and Dr. Deena Kara Shaffer (PhD) and has been peer-reviewed and rated as a “Best” practice for the Best Practices Library. TiA guides learners through key habits, mindsets, and tools for personal and academic resilience, drawing from Positive Psychology practices, CBT insights, and wholistic learning strategies. TiA is an upstream, early alert program for equity-deserving students who struggle academically and personally.
In this session, a panel of representatives will share their experiences in their adaptation and adoption of TiA at their institution. Panelists will include Caiti Casey from Windsor University, Emily Appleyard and Jennifer Babin from Niagara College, Breanne Molnar from The University of British Columbia, and Lisa Steffensen from Roane State College (Tennessee). Venus Bali, currently a TiA learning strategist at TMU, will also share how she implemented TiA at Mount St. Vincent University. This session will focus on the implementation of TiA, highlighting barriers and facilitators to program adoption.
Register here

Expression of Interest – Canadian Journal of Higher Education
2025-07-01 | Online
The Canadian Journal of Higher Education is curating a special issue titled “From Recruitment to Restrictions: A New Policy Era for International Students in Canadian Higher Education.” Led by guest editors Elizabeth Buckner (OISE, University of Toronto), Emma Harden-Wolfson (McGill University), and Phoebe Kang (University of Toronto), this issue will investigate the ways in which evolving policies are reshaping the landscape of international education in Canada.
This policy-focused edition will take a critical lens to the ways shifting federal, provincial, and institutional regulations are influencing more than just enrolment patterns. It will delve into their effects on academic program offerings, strategic institutional planning, recruitment and retention strategies, and the experiences of faculty, staff, and students. Additionally, it will explore broader implications for governance at all levels—federal, provincial, and within post-secondary institutions—and for intergovernmental coordination.
The issue aims to foster dialogue around how institutions are responding to this period of policy volatility, while showcasing the varied approaches across the Canadian higher education sector. Submissions may highlight differences across provinces, institutional categories (e.g., colleges and universities), sectoral bodies, and linguistic contexts (French and English).
For full details, please refer to the call for Expressions of Interest
To submit, please send your Expression of Interest to Emma Harden-Wolfson at emma.harden-wolfson@mcgill.ca

Submission Deadline - Canadian Evaluation Society Ontario Virtual Conference
2025-07-04 | Online
Save the date for the Canadian Evaluation Society Ontario Virtual Conference. The theme of the 2025 conference, “Exploring Program Evaluation in Ontario: Politics, Progress, and Possibility,” focuses on evaluation as a dynamic and evolving field, shaped by emerging technologies, innovative methods, and political influences.
The conference will focus on these three themes:

Innovative directions in program evaluation: Incudes emerging methods, frameworks, and decolonized approaches.
Technology in evaluation: How AI is transforming evaluation practice.
Political dynamics: How political contexts impact evaluation work, including strategies to navigate relationships with stakeholders.

Proposals submission are open until July 4th.
Learn more here

Quality Improvement Knowledge College - Idea Generation
2025-07-07 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Toronto) | Online
The Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health (CICMH) has partnered with the Excellence through Quality Improvement Project (E-QIP) to create a virtual learning series on quality improvement (QI) principles and methods. Attendees will learn about QI core concepts and practical tools to strengthen delivery and outcomes of campus mental health programs and services.
This four-part series will take place throughout June and July 2025.
This session focuses on “Idea Generation.” Attendees will explore potential sources for change ideas, and gain tools to support idea generation.
Learn more here
Register for the workshops here

Quality Improvement Knowledge College - Testing Challenges
2025-07-14 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Toronto) | Online
The Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health (CICMH) has partnered with the Excellence through Quality Improvement Project (E-QIP) to create a virtual learning series on quality improvement (QI) principles and methods. Attendees will learn about QI core concepts and practical tools to strengthen delivery and outcomes of campus mental health programs and services.
This four-part series will take place throughout June and July 2025.
In this session, “Testing Challenges,” attendees will gain an understanding of how to use data to evaluate the effects of their improvement initiatives. The session will focus on practice action, encouraging participants to consider what steps they can take in the immediate future.
Learn more here
Register for the workshops here

Book Review – Indigenous Knowledges and Higher Education in Canada
2025-08-01
The Canadian Journal of Higher Education is inviting reviews for a new book by Merli Tamtik entitled, Indigenous Knowledges and Higher Education in Canada.
This book examines the complex connection between Indigenous ways of knowing and the changing environment of post-secondary education in Canada. Rooted in decolonial perspectives, the book explores the challenge universities face in addressing ongoing colonialism and achieve systemic reform.
Learn more about the book here
If you are interested in reviewing this book, please send a request to William Archer at warcher@ualberta.ca
In your email request, please include a mailing address to which a printed copy of the book should be sent.
Access the book review style guide here

Graduate/Post-Doc Students Teaching in Higher Education Conference
2025-08-08 | Online
Join iTeach, for their inaugural Graduate/Postdoctoral Conference on Teaching in Higher Education: Empowering the Next Generation of Educators. This virtual conference offers an opportunity for emerging educators to showcase creative teaching approaches, explore evolving pedagogical methods, and connect with like-minded peers who are passionate about enhancing teaching and student success.
Conference sessions will address key topics relevant to graduate students and post-doctoral fellows who are teaching at the post-secondary level, providing tools to strengthen teaching skills.
Registration is free.
Learn more and register here

Essential Skills Series Intensive
2025-08-11 - 2025-08-14
The Canadian Evaluation Society Ontario Chapter is hosting a four-day intensive Essential Skills Series. Facilitated by Dr. Paul Favaror, this course is intended to provide learners with the foundations of professional evaluation including stakeholder engagement, describing programs, creating evaluation questions, identifying indicators, research design and methods, data management and analysis, work planning, evaluation reporting, and professionalization of evaluation. No prior experience is needed to attend this course.
Register by June 1st to receive the early bird rate.
Register for the workshop here
Registration: $1399 for CES members | $1599 for general admission

Collaborations for Change 2025 Virtual Conference
2025-08-13 - 2025-08-14 | Online
The Collaborations for Change Conference: Connecting Research and Practice in Post-Secondary Mental Health brings together difference makers from across Canada to collaborate on advancing knowledge, practice, and research in post-secondary student mental health. The 2025 virtual conference will bring post-secondary students, service professionals, mental health providers, and researchers together to have meaningful conversations on how to best move forward to integrate research and practice in post-secondary mental health. Students, whether working towards careers in academia or in professional practice, are vital for informing and sustaining collaborations as we move forward.
The conference will feature presentations, panels, rapid-fire presentations, and workshops across the following five conference streams:

Transforming Post-Secondary Culture Through Strategy and Action
Post-Secondary Student Mental Health Research: Engaging the Next Generation of Student Researchers
Supporting Students Amidst Global Events
Integrating Well-Being into Teaching Practices: Promoting a Healthy Classroom Environment
Shifting to a Health Promotion Approach to Address Post-Secondary Mental Health and Well-being

Registration:
Registration for the 2025 conference is now open. Register by April 7th 2025 to take advantage of the early bird rates.
Register here!

SME Days 2026 – Call for Proposals
2025-09-10 | Online
Save the date for L’ISME’s SME’s hybrid conference on March 25th and 26, 2026. The conference is an opportunity to discuss, get inspired, and learn more about how to best support student mental health in Québec.
Abstract proposals are open until September 10th, 2025. The conference will focus on the following themes:

Institutional Structure
Supportive and Inclusive Environment
Awareness
Community Capacity to Respond to Signs of Distress
Students’ Capacity to Adapt and Self-Manage
Mental Health Services
Crisis

Submit your proposal here

Webinar: Evaluating Campus Mental Health Strategies: A Case Example
2025-10-02 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Toronto) | Online
Both the Okanagan Charter and the National Standard for Mental Health and Well-being for Post-Secondary Students emphasize the important role of evaluation and continuous improvement to monitor change and adapt strategies overtime to promote mental health and wellbeing on post-secondary campuses. This webinar provides an introduction to evaluation for individuals in mental health, health promotion, and/or administration who are interested in learning more about evaluation of campus mental health strategies. Participants will be introduced to utilization-focused evaluation, along with a case example from UCalgary’s Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy. Previous experience with evaluation is not required.
Presenter: Dr. Jennifer Thannhauser is a Registered Psychologist (AB) serving as Evaluation & Research Lead for UCalgary’s Community Mental Health & Well-being Strategy. She has 12+ years experience as post-secondary counsellor, administrator, and researcher with UCalgary’s Student Wellness Services. Jennifer also serves as team lead for UCalgary’s inaugural Post-secondary Mental Health and Well-being Research and Knowledge Hub. Her research and clinical work focuses on improving post-secondary students’ mental health and well-being through strengths-based and systems approaches, emphasizing resilience. She co-developed the Roots of Resiliency program for post-secondary students, awarded “Promising Practice” through BP-Net’s Best Practices Guide, and leads the Resilience Research & Practice Community of Practice. She has held multiple tri-council grants to advance understanding of resilience in the post-secondary context, currently leading a national multi-disciplinary research team in a SSHRC-funded study exploring students’ perceptions of resilience.
Register for the webinar here

Canadian Evaluation Society Ontario Virtual Conference
2025-10-21 | Online
The Canadian Evaluation Society Ontario Virtual Conference (October 21, 2025) theme: “Exploring Program Evaluation in Ontario: Politics, Progress, and Possibility,” focuses on evaluation as a dynamic and evolving field, shaped by emerging technologies, innovative methods, and political influences.
The conference will focus on these three themes:

Innovative directions in program evaluation: Incudes emerging methods, frameworks, and decolonized approaches.
Technology in evaluation: How AI is transforming evaluation practice.
Political dynamics: How political contexts impact evaluation work, including strategies to navigate relationships with stakeholders.

Learn more here

CSSHE 2025 Webinar Series – Rethinking and Reinventing the University through Indigenous Visions
2025-10-22 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Toronto) | Online
The Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education (CSSHE) is hosting a 2025 webinar series to celebrate its 55th anniversary. Aligning with the Congress 2025 theme, “Reframing Togetherness,” this series will unite scholars, students, policymakers, and professionals across four sessions to reexamine and reimagine key challenges impacting higher education in Canada. This webinar will discuss “Rethinking and Reinventing the University through Indigenous Visions.”
Register for the webinar here

CESBC Interactive Webinar: Krazy Glue Messaging: Making Your Evaluation and Research Findings Stick
2025-10-28 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Toronto)
CESBC Interactive Webinar: Krazy Glue Messaging: Making Your Evaluation and Research Findings Stick presented by Kylie Hutchison
As evaluators, people need our evidence more than ever nowadays. But with so much going on, they have even less bandwidth to absorb the results we give them. The solution? Sticky messaging!
The evaluation profession has wholeheartedly embraced smaller and more innovative forms of reporting over the years such as infographics and two-page briefs. However, these shorter forms of communication require us to condense our extensive findings into much less content. We also need to identify and make our key messages “sticky” in order to ensure that busy decision-makers are able to understand, recall, and act on our key findings when the time comes.
Join us for a fun and interactive webinar looking at what makes a key message “sticky” and leave feeling inspired to try something new!
Register for the Webinar Here

HEQCO Conference -ReimaginEd: Shaping the Future of Ontario PSE
2025-11-07 | Toronto, ON, Canada
Registration is open for HEQCO’s tenth annual conference on November 7, 2025, in Toronto.
The conference theme, ReimaginEd: Shaping the Future of Ontario PSE arrives at a pivotal moment for the postsecondary landscape, marked by both challenges and transformation. The rise of artificial intelligence, evolving student populations, financial pressures, and a changing job market are just a few of the forces influencing Ontario’s colleges and universities. ReimaginEd provides a valuable platform to engage with peers from across the sector, explore innovative ideas about the system’s mission, structure, and objectives, and collaborate on strategies for future adaptation.
Register for the conference here

CICMH 2025 Conference - Dialogue to Action: Pathways to Hope
2025-11-12 | Online
Save the date for the Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health (CICMH)’s annual conference, Dialogue to Action. This conference brings together post-secondary mental health professionals in Ontario and across Canada to discuss objectives and take-aways applicable to their work. The theme of the conference, Dialogue to Action: Pathways to Hope, centres on the need to collect narratives of hope, perseverance, and innovation amid scarce resources, changing priorities, and unpredictability.
The conference will feature virtual poster presentations, keynote addresses, networking, and concurrent sessions across the following six streams:

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism (EDIAA)
Changing Systems
Indigenous Student Engagement and Wellness
Student Engagement
Substance Use & Harm Reduction
Clinical Interventions

Learn more about the conference here

10th Digital Mental Health International Congress – Expression of Interest
2025-11-19 - 2025-11-21 | Toronto, ON, Canada
The Digital Mental Health International Congress is inviting expressions of interest in attending their 10th Anniversary International Congress on November 19-21 in Toronto.
Hosted by the eMental Health International Collaborative (EMHIC) and the Mental Health Commission of Canada, the congress highlights the successful use of digital technologies, which can provide valuable support to clients beyond traditional therapy sessions, amplify the effectiveness of in-person care, and offer a practical solution to the global mental health crisis.
Express your interest here

Canadian Evaluation Society BC 2025 Conference
2025-11-21
The Canadian Evaluation Society British Columbia Chapter’s 2025 Conference is November 21, 2025. This year’s theme, “Unfolding the Evaluation Journey,” invites attendees to view evaluation as a process rich with opportunities to gain insights, make changes, and gain knowledge of evaluation efforts and impacts.
Conference details will be shared here

Journées SME 2026/ SME Days 2026
2026-03-25 - 2026-03-26 | Hybrid
Join L’Initative sur la santé mentale étudiante en enseignment supérieur (L’ISME) for their Station SME’s hybrid conference on March 25th and 26, 2025. The conference is an opportunity to discuss, get inspired, and learn more about how to best support student mental health in Québec.
The objectives of the conference are to support knowledge transfer, innovation in practice, and strengthen the network of community members working within student mental health in higher education.
The conference will focus on the following themes:

Institutional Structure
Supportive and Inclusive Environment
Awareness
Community Capacity to Respond to Signs of Distress
Students’ Capacity to Adapt and Self-Manage
Mental Health Services
Crisis

Learn more here
