Professor emeritus Geoffrey Norman’s generous gift establishes new lecture series in education research

Geoffrey Norman, PhD ’71, is a living legend at McMaster University.  

Norman is a professor emeritus in the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact (HEI) and has been involved in the McMaster Health Education Research, Innovation and Theory Centre (MERIT) and its previous iterations since 1971, starting as a research associate and working his way up to professor in 1989. He has been an associate member in the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour since 1994 and has held an appointment at the University of Toronto’s Wilson Centre since 2010. Throughout his career, Norman has supervised nearly 100 graduate students in the HEI and psychology programs at McMaster, and has published more than 300 papers and 30 book chapters.  

Norman has received numerous honours and accolades over the course of his career, including induction into McMaster’s Community of Excellence, the Medical Educator of the Year Award from the Canadian Association of Medical Education in 1997, the Hubbard Award from the U.S. National Board of Medical Examiners, an honorary degree from Erasmus University, the prestigious Karolinska Award for Research in Medical Education in 2008 and the Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Assessment of Clinical Competence from the Medical Council of Canada. He was also inducted into the Royal Society of Canada in 2007. 

Most recently, Norman added a new title to his impressive resume: generous donor. Earlier this year, he made a gift to establish The Norman Lecture in Education Research. Organized annually by MERIT, the lecture will showcase theory-based empirical research in education, aimed at enhancing the understanding of the teaching and learning process. The lecture will be tailored to clinical faculty, education scientists and graduate trainees in health professions. 

We sat down with Norman to learn more about his intentions behind establishing the lectureship. 

What inspired you to make a gift to establish The Norman Lecture in Education Research?

My passion for understanding the psychology of learning drives my desire to support medical education. I am fortunate to have had opportunities to learn from brilliant minds around the world. By establishing this lecture, I aim to create similar opportunities for scholars globally to share their knowledge at McMaster, fostering a rich exchange of ideas.   

Can you share a memorable experience that highlights the impact of your work on the international academic community?

A few years ago, while I was holidaying in England, a gentleman approached me in a cafeteria and asked if I was Professor Norman. He proceeded to recall a lecture I gave in Cape Town in 2010 and even remembered its content. It was humbling to know that my words resonated with him more than a decade later. This experience underscored the incredible power of personal contacts among scholars at different institutions. By establishing this lecture, we are hoping to strengthen that global connection.

How do you hope to be remembered beyond your professional achievements? 

Beyond my career, I hope to be remembered as someone who loved to entertain and bring joy to others. When I walk into a room, I enjoy seeing people chuckle and smile. Humour is a powerful tool for connecting with others. I envision the lecture series as a space where people can both laugh and learn. 

Please visit the MERIT website for details on the upcoming inaugural Norman Lecture in Education Research.