For Associate Professor Christine Tenk, Social Science begins with two simple passions: people and learning. Drawn to understanding human behaviour and how it shapes the world around us, Tenk found Psychology to be the perfect space to explore both. 

“I love people, and I love learning,” she says. “I’m passionate about understanding human behaviour and teaching others how to apply what we know about behaviour to the wider world.” That passion continues to guide her work as a Teaching Scholar, where student learning and connection are at the centre of everything she does. 

Creating Meaningful Learning Experiences 

At the heart of Tenk’s teaching philosophy is a deep commitment to high-quality undergraduate learning experiences. Above all, she hopes students see themselves reflected in the material. 

“I want students to see how Psychology applies to all of us,” she explains, “and to so many contexts in the world.” For Tenk, learning is most powerful when it is inclusive, relevant, and human. She strives to create classroom environments that recognize difference while also highlighting shared experience. 

“While we all may be different,” she says, “we are also so very much the same.” 

Why People Matter 

What makes people such a fascinating subject of study, according to Tenk, is the remarkable diversity that emerges from shared foundations. 

“The (nearly) same physical structures can produce a near-infinite variety of personalities and behaviours,” she explains. Humans, she notes, are shaped by both biology and experience — a constant interplay of nature and nurture that makes Psychology endlessly compelling. 

Challenging a Common Myth 

One misconception Tenk is eager to challenge is the idea that Psychology, or science more broadly, always provides clear and final answers. 

“There isn’t always one correct explanation for everything,” she says. “Science is dynamic. Our knowledge is constantly evolving.” She emphasizes the importance of questioning assumptions and remaining open to change, especially as new evidence emerges. 

“It’s important to question the status quo,” she adds, “because what we know is always changing.” 

Moments That Stay With You 

Some of the most impactful moments in Tenk’s career come from hearing how her teaching resonates beyond the classroom. She recalls students sharing how learning about Canada’s food guide — and the unethical experiments conducted on Indigenous people living on reserves and Indigenous children in residential schools — profoundly affected them. 

Many students, she notes, are unaware of these aspects of Canada’s history. “Students often tell me how eye-opening and unsettling, but essential, it is to learn about these details,” Tenk reflects. Moments like these reinforce for her the importance of teaching that is honest, reflective, and grounded in a real-world context. 

The Human Side of Psychology 

Tenk is truly a “Work-Hard, Play-Hard" person. "I’m a firm believer in the power of 'unplugging' to allow for fresh discovery and out-of-the-box thinking” she says. Her process often begins in the peace of nature at her cottage, guided by the holistic principles of balance and connection found in The Seven Circles: Indigenous Teachings for Living Well. But once the deep thinking is done, she explains, “I shift gears completely, blasting high-energy country songs like The Reklaws' 'Long Live the Night'”  to keep the 'play hard' spirit alive. 

Social Science, in One Word 

When asked to describe what Social Science means to her in a single word, Tenk chooses: Understanding. 

It’s a word that reflects her approach to teaching, her commitment to students, and her belief in the power of learning to deepen how we see ourselves and others.