Governance Bodies

KIAS is guided by a governance model consisting of Research Committee, Advisory Council and Administrative Board. We are deeply indebted to the people who serve on our committees.

The Research Committee submits ideas and recommendations to the Advisory Council on research themes and topics to be examined by the research and intellectual exchange sponsored by KIAS. The Research Committee adjudicates applications for all grant programs, advises the Academic Director on design and implementation on programs and promotional activities and, advances the KIAS mandate through effective advocacy.

The Research Committee consists of 6 members: 5 voting and 1 non-voting.

  • Dr. Julia Byl, Assistant Professor, Music
  • Dr. Philomina Okeke-Ihejirika, Professor, Women & Gender Studies
  • Dr. Lori Thorlakson, Professor, Political Science
  • Dr. Sheena Wilson, Professor, Campus Saint-Jean
  • Dr. Michael O'Driscoll (Chair), KIAS Director and Professor, English & Film Studies, ex officio
  • Casey Germain, KIAS Program Coordinator, ex officio (non-voting)

The Administrative Board determines the research themes and topics to be explored, approves the KIAS annual budget and annual report, provides strategic advice and guidance to the Academic Director on academic and research focus, and advances the KIAS mandate through effective advocacy.

The Administrative Board consists of 10 members: 7 voting, 3 non-voting.

  • Dr. Andre McDonald (Chair), Associate Vice-President Research and Innovation
  • Dr. Denise Lafitte, Acting Vice-Provost and Chief Librarian (non-voting observer)
  • Dr. Natalia Khanenko-Friesen, Director, Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies
  • Dr. Robert Wood, Dean of Arts
  • Dr. Jordan Lachler, Director, Canadian Indigenous Languages and Literacy Development Institute
  • Dr. Micah True, Associate Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research
  • Dr. Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn, Kule Chair Assistant Lecturer, Modern Languages & Cultural Studies
  • Dr. Jason Carey, Dean, Campus Saint-Jean
  • Dr. Michael O'Driscoll, KIAS Director, and Professor, English & Film Studies, ex officio (non-voting)
  • Casey Germain, KIAS Program Coordinator, ex officio (non-voting)

The Advisory Council considers ideas and recommendations from the Research Committee on research themes and topics to be examined, provides advice to the KIAS Administrative Board on these themes and topics, and provides advice to the Administrative Board on ways and means for KIAS to best realize its mandate.

The Advisory Council consists of 15 members: 13 voting and 2 non-voting.

  • Dr. Denise Lafitte (Chair), Acting Vice-Provost and Chief Librarian
  • Dr. Olenka Bilash, Professor, Secondary Education
  • Dr. Andy Knight, Professor, Political Science
  • Dr. Glynnis Lieb, Executive Director, Fryerfly Institute for Gender and Sexual Diversity
  • Dr. Serhy Yekelchyk, Professor, University of Victoria
  • Dr. Robert Wood, Dean of Arts,
  • Mr. Andrew Hladyshevsky, Q.C., Partner, Dentons Canada LLP
  • Dr. Jeffrey Stepinsky, Kule Chair in Ukrainian Studies and Associate Professor & Kule Chair of Ukrainian Community and International Development, MacEwan University
  • Dr. David Marples, Chair and Distinguished University Professor, History and Classics
  • Dr. Shalene Jobin, Associate Professor, Native Studies
  • Dr. Shirley Anne Tate, Professor, Faculty of Arts, Sociology
  • Most Reverend Daniel Kuc, Eparchy of Edmonton
  • Dr. Andie Palmer, Director, Kule Folklore Centre, and Professor, Anthropology
  • Dr. Michael O'Driscoll KIAS Director, and Professor, English & Film Studies ex officio (non-voting)
  • Casey Germain, KIAS Program Coordinator, ex officio (non-voting)