What are you most looking forward to in your new role as Undergraduate Chair? What do you hope to achieve?
First and foremost, I want to ensure that all our undergraduate students benefit from the world-class courses that the School of Communication has to offer. These are difficult and strange times but I know that the School’s amazing students, staff, and faculty will make this year one to remember.
How are the challenges of COVID-19 influencing the start of your new role?
I’m just getting started so every day brings new challenges. One of the really unfortunate things about the current situation is that we aren’t able to meet people face-to-face. It takes some getting used to, especially when starting a new role.
How does your previous work prepare you for the new role?
My decade of university teaching experience should help. I also had the opportunity to develop an interdisciplinary graduate program on digital culture and society at King’s College London in the UK before coming to SFU. That work taught me a lot about how to navigate the complicated world of university administration and how to take a holistic approach to curriculum building.
Who is one of the most interesting people you have ever met?
It’s hard to choose just one. I met Armin Medosch at a party once in London in the mid-2000s. We had a long chat about his hobby of making bread from deactivated yeast collected from the ruins of ancient abandoned Spanish baking ovens. Some people can turn any topic into something fascinating.
What are your passions and hobbies outside of SFU?
I have a professional interest in a number of creative practices that I also enjoy following in my free time so it’s hard to make the distinction you’re asking. I’m a bit of a news junky and I follow the English Premier League quite closely (COYS!). I’ve been trying to maintain good social distancing practice these days so much of my free time is spent playing Super Smash Bros. tournaments at home with my wife and kids.
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