The Faculty of Information has recently welcomed a new Acting Dean, a new Associate Dean Research, and two new tenure track professors. At the same time, several professors are moving on. Congratulations to everyone on their new positions and roles.
Farewell and best wishes
Assistant Professor Stacy Allison-Cassin has taken up a new tenure track position at Dalhousie University. During her time at the Faculty, Stacy, who is a member of the Métis Nation of Ontario, chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Committee, and led its transformation into the Indigenous Action and Anti-Colonialism Committee. She also developed a number of new courses in LIS and revised existing courses. On top of everything else, Stacy completed her PhD thesis, which focused on indie rock music, Proust and love, while at the Faculty.
Professor Dan Ryan is taking on a new role as academic program director at the Minerva Project. During the pandemic, Dan co-led the Faculty’s invaluable e-pedagogy group as well as serving as Director of the BI program. “I’m looking forward to being able to flex my higher ed innovation muscles and play at the cutting edge of cognitive science-informed pedagogy and higher ed design,” Dan told colleagues. And given that his new job is remote and he will continue to be based in Toronto, Dan is planning to keep in touch.
Nalini Singh, Librarian at the Inforum for 18 years served in numerous capacities ranging from reference services to instruction, student assistant supervisor, public services, records management, web coordination, and co-management of the library. Her colleagues especially appreciated her gift for eliciting questions from all types of library users as well as the mentorship she provided to so many aspiring librarians and information professionals.
Assistant Professor Karen Suurtamm will begin a new position as University Archivist and Head, Special Collections at Trent University in Peterborough next month. During her time at the Faculty, Karen, who won the MISC Outstanding Instructor Award in 2018/19, introduced new methods and pedagogy that transformed many ARM courses. While she will very much miss her role as an archival educator, Karen said she is excited to get back to the work of archives after “an archival re-training. I’m heading back to archival work thinking so much more deeply about what it means to care for the knowledge and people documented in records, about user experience, archives as data, embodied pedagogies, information policy, and the list really goes on,” she said.
Professor Eric Yu has earned the title of Professor Emeritus as he officially retires and moves on to the next stage of his career. A leader in his field of conceptual modeling in information systems analysis and design, Eric plans to continue his research and collaborative work with students and former students.
Welcome
Professor Marsha Chechik took over as Acting Dean for a six-month period starting July 1, 2022 while the current Dean, Wendy Duff, is on administrative leave. Professor Chechik previously served as the Chair and Graduate Chair of the Department of Computer Science at the Faculty of Arts and Science.
Associate Professor Matt Ratto was appointed to a two-year term as Associate Dean, Research taking over from Professor Tony Tang, who is on leave.
Assistant Professor Safwat Hassan has joined the Faculty from Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, BC where he was Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering.
Assistant Professor SA Smythe will join the Faculty from UCLA in Los Angeles, California where they were Assistant Professor in the Departments of Gender studies and African American Studies.
Professor Eric Yu has earned the title of Professor Emeritus Yu as officially retires and moves on to the next stage of his career.
