I am pleased to announce that Dr. John Brown, PhD, has been reappointed for a second term as Dean of the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape (SAPL) at the University of Calgary .
Earlier this year, Dr. Brown indicated he was ready to be considered for re-appointment, which then prompted the start of the review process. This process is outlined in the University of Calgary’s Dean Appointment and Renewal Process. A decanal review advisory committee was then established to review John’s performance during his tenure as dean and the possibility of reappointment. The review advisory committee invited and considered feedback from members of the school and our community. Thank you to everyone who took the time to provide feedback. Following the process, the committee’s recommendation and comments were shared with President and Vice-Chancellor Ed McCauley, who was pleased to accept the recommendation and proceed with the renewal.
On March 1, 2018, John began his role as Dean of UCalgary’s Faculty of Environmental Design, which was renamed the School of Architecture, Urbanism and Landscape the following year as part of a process that ‘he led. Prior to this appointment, John had been on the academic staff of the faculty for over 30 years and had served as Acting Dean since May 2017, and previously Associate Dean, Research and International.
During his five years at the helm of SAPL, John has created a 21st century school of design by advancing three strategic priorities: connecting to the community, expanding academic programming, and increasing research capacity and impact. .
The opening of the City Building Design Lab (CBDLab) in 2019 greatly amplified SAPL’s presence in Calgary and throughout the design community. Serving as a research and design center for Alberta’s architecture, engineering and construction industry, CDBLab has spawned new community-based research projects, including interdisciplinary collaborations with other campus faculties, and provided invaluable experiential learning opportunities for students.
In terms of academic programming, in alignment with the Growth framework, SAPL increased enrollment in its professional degree programs, launched a new 18-month track focused on work-integrated learning within the Master of Environmental Design Degree (MeDes), and introduced the Doctor of Design (DDes ) and the Bachelor of Design in City Innovation (BDCI). These developments are particularly noteworthy as they were made in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn, a time during which John has shown leadership.
After a first term of considerable change, John is committed to developing and refining these initiatives during his second term as Dean, securing SAPL’s future as a vibrant and inclusive community partner and school of design. .
I would like to thank the members of the review advisory committee, which I chaired, for their participation in this important process. They are: Janaka Ruwanpura (designated vice-rector for research), Beverly Sandalack (permanent academic staff), Fabian Neuhaus (permanent academic staff), Joshua Taron (permanent academic staff), Catherine Hamel (permanent academic staff), Lindsay Tedds ( Faculty Representative Association of the University of Calgary (TUCFA), Ellen Perrault (Decanal Representative), Tracy Beauregard (Management and Professional Personnel (MaPS) Representative), Jonathan Jucker (Union of Public Alberta (AUPE)), Shaziah Jinnah (Student Union Representative), Inioluwa Adedapo (Graduate Student Association Representative), Marjan Eggermont (General Faculty Council (GFC) Representative), Victoria Fast (GFC Representative) GFC) and Eileen Stan (community representative).
Please join me in congratulating John on his reappointment.
Dr. Teri Balser, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice-President (Academic)
