Dr. Wesley Burr is Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Mathematics at Trent University. He completed all of his higher education at Queen’s University, beginning with an undergraduate degree in engineering. He went on to complete an M.Sc. in mathematics, and a Ph.D. in statistics under the supervision of David J. Thomson, where his research focused on spectral analysis and smoothing of time series. During his studies, Wesley developed a strong interest in teaching, serving as a teaching assistant and later as teaching fellow, lecturing mathematics and engineering courses. Following a brief appointment as a visiting fellow in the Population Studies Division at Health Canada, Wesley joined Trent University in 2016.

At Trent, Wesley has played a central role in statistics education across the university. For several years he was the sole statistician in his department, teaching a wide range of courses and helping shape the university’s introductory statistics service courses. These support students from many programs and contribute to strengthening statistical literacy across campus. Wesley has also been instrumental in curriculum development, including establishing the statistics specialization within the B.Sc. program in mathematics, contributing to the creation of the Bachelor of Financial Science program, and supporting the development of a proposed program in artificial intelligence.

Wesley’s teaching places strong emphasis on equipping students with practical and transferable skills. In addition to statistical concepts, his courses introduce tools and practices widely used in modern data analysis, including version control, reproducible research, and effective technical communication. He has also implemented technological innovations to support student learning in large courses, including online homework systems, cloud-based computing environments for student laboratories, and collaborative platforms that encourage communication and engagement outside the classroom.

A defining feature of Wesley’s teaching is his commitment to creating supportive learning environments in which students can build confidence and develop independence. His courses emphasize data-driven examples and active engagement with statistical software. He is also a strong advocate of mastery-based assessment, using clearly defined learning outcomes and multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate their understanding as they progress. Wesley works closely with teaching assistants to support effective teaching practices and foster the development of future educators.

Wesley’s excellence in teaching has been recognized by Trent university with the Symons Award for Excellence in Teaching (2018-2019), the Merit Award for Teaching (2018-2019),  the Award for Outstanding Graduate Mentorship for New Mentors (2022), and the Decanal Award for Teaching Excellence in the Sciences (2022-2023). Beyond Trent, his contributions have also been recognized with the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations Teaching Award (2024-2025).

Wesley contributes actively to the broader statistics education community. His work on teaching and learning in statistics has been disseminated through publications on topics including mathematical reasoning, assessment practices, and mastery-based grading. He also served as the Canadian representative to the International Data Science in Schools Project, collaborating with colleagues from several countries to develop curriculum materials aimed at introducing data science to secondary school students. Within the Statistical Society of Canada, Wesley has served as Treasurer and President of the Statistics Education Section and played a leading role in establishing the Society’s Statistics Educator Awards. He also helped organize the inaugural Canadian Conference on Teaching Statistics, an event that brings together educators from across the country to share ideas and innovations in statistics education.