Dr. John Brown reappointed as dean of UCalgary’s School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape

I am pleased to announce that Dr. John Brown, PhD, has been reappointed for a second term as dean of the University of Calgary School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape (SAPL).

Earlier this year, Dr. Brown indicated his openness to be considered for reappointment, which then promoted the start of the review process. This process is outlined in the University of Calgary Procedure for the Appointment and Reappointment of Deans. An Advisory Decanal Review Committee was then established to consider John’s performance during his time as dean and the potential for reappointment. The Advisory Review Committee invited and reviewed feedback from those within the School and our community. Thank you to everyone who took the time to provide input. Following the process, the committee recommendation and feedback were shared with President and Vice-Chancellor Ed McCauley, who was pleased to accept the recommendation and proceed with renewal.

On March 1, 2018, John commenced his role as dean of UCalgary’s Faculty of Environmental Design, which was renamed the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape the following year through a process he spearheaded. Prior to this appointment, John had been an academic staff member with the faculty for more than 30 years and served as interim dean since May 2017, and previously as associate dean, research and international.

In his five years at the helm of SAPL, John has created a 21st-century design school 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 has significantly amplified SAPL’s presence in Calgary and the broader design community. Serving as a research and design hub for Alberta’s architecture, engineering and construction industry, the CDBLab has spawned new community-based research projects, including interdisciplinary collaborations with other faculties across campus, and provided invaluable experiential learning opportunities for students.

On the academic programming front, in alignment with the Framework for Growth, SAPL has increased enrolment in its professional degree programs, launched a new 18-month work-integrated learning-focused stream within the Master of Environmental Design Degree (MeDes) and introduced the Doctor of Design (DDes) and Bachelor of Design in City Innovation (BDCI) programs. These developments are especially notable having been achieved against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn, during which time John has demonstrated leadership.

After a first term of considerable change, John is committed to building out and refining these initiatives in his second term as dean, securing SAPL’s future as a dynamic and inclusive community partner and design school.

I would like to thank the members of the advisory review committee, which I chaired, for their participation in this important process. They are: Janaka Ruwanpura (vice-president research designate), Beverly Sandalack (tenured academic staff), Fabian Neuhaus (tenured academic staff), Joshua Taron (tenured academic staff), Catherine Hamel (tenured academic staff), Lindsay Tedds (Faculty Association of the University of Calgary (TUCFA) representative), Ellen Perrault (decanal representative), Tracy Beauregard (Management and Professional Staff (MaPS) representative), Jonathan Jucker (Alberta Union of Public Employees (AUPE) representative), Shaziah Jinnah (Students' Union representative), Inioluwa Adedapo (Graduate Students’ Association representative), Marjan Eggermont (General Faculties Council (GFC) representative), Victoria Fast (GFC representative) and Eileen Stan (community representative).

Please join me in congratulating John on his reappointment.

Dr. Teri Balser, PhD
Provost and Vice-President (Academic)