At the W Booth School, sessional instructors play a pivotal role in shaping the student experience. Among them is Gaganpreet Sidhu, a materials science engineer whose academic strengths and experience in industry has made a lasting impact since she joined the school in 2019.
Sidhu’s journey to McMaster began halfway around the world. She completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Materials Science in India between 1998 and 2004, followed by several years working across industry, research and guest teaching roles. That blend of practical and academic experience ultimately drew her to pursue a PhD, bringing her to Canada in 2008. She completed her doctorate at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson), focusing on bainitic steels, before undertaking postdoctoral research at Queen’s University.
Balancing professional growth with a growing family in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) eventually led Sidhu to McMaster, where she joined as a part-time postdoctoral fellow and teaching assistant in the BTech program at the W Booth School. That long-standing relationship evolved into her current role as a sessional instructor teaching across our BTech 4-year program and DCP Software Engineering Technology; one she describes with pride and gratitude.
“I really value the culture at W Booth School,” Sidhu says. “There’s a deep sense of respect and collegiality. I’ve always felt like a valued colleague.”
Her appreciation for the school extends to its leadership and mentorship culture. Sidhu credits past and present chairs and colleagues for fostering a supportive environment that values growth and empathy. “Chairs like Moein Mehrtash, Amin Rajabzadeh, Tom Wanyama and Seshasai Srinivasan foster an inclusive atmosphere where my opinions are actively sought and my contributions respected,” says Sidhu.
Srinivasan, whom Sidhu describes as a “grounded role model despite his extraordinary abilities and productivity,” also speaks highly of Sidhu.
“Gaganpreet Sidhu exemplifies an extraordinary combination of high-level technical expertise in Materials Science and a deeply empathetic, student-centered approach to education,” says the associate professor and program chair for McMaster’s BTech Software Engineering Technology program. “By masterfully bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world industrial expectations, she ensures students develop both the professional discipline and the confidence needed for successful careers.”
In the classroom, Sidhu brings a philosophy shaped by her own experiences as a student and professional. She has moved away from viewing assessments as judgment tools and instead sees them as a way to understand how students are progressing and how instructors can better support them.
I want students to know they’re more than a single exam score. Engineering potential can’t be captured by a number.
“I want students to know they’re more than a single exam score,” she explains. “Engineering potential can’t be captured by a number.”
Her courses emphasize collaboration and practical problem-solving, reflecting both her academic background and her time in industry. Sidhu is intentional about preparing students for professional practice, reinforcing expectations around quality, teamwork and meeting deadlines.
“I ask students to approach coursework with the same discipline they would bring to an industrial job,” she says. “Those habits matter.”
Equity and inclusion are also core to Sidhu’s teaching. She values flexible delivery models, such as online and residency-based learning, which help open doors for working professionals and women balancing multiple responsibilities. Through recordings, supplementary materials, and one-on-one conversations, she strives to ensure every student feels supported.
Outside the classroom, Sidhu’s world revolves around her three children. “The flexibility of this role allows me to balance caregiving with a meaningful career,” she says. When time allows, she enjoys cooking and traveling.
Looking ahead, Sidhu hopes to strengthen her research contributions in steel design and engineering education, while continuing to refine her courses each term. “Teaching is a never-ending process of improvement,” she says.