College Dean's Message

tân'si, nitôtêmak,

As we move toward the holiday break, I have been thinking a lot about what these first two months as dean have taught me about the gap between the poetry of campaigning and the prose of governance. It is one thing to imagine what might be possible in a role like this, quite another to meet the complexities, pressures and opportunities that come with it.

That encounter has been humbling, but in all the right ways.

I have spent a lot of time listening — and a surprising amount of time talking (you have had a lot of excellent questions!). I have had the chance to speak with faculty, staff and students across the college and to begin to know the lovely and very capable folks in our college office who hold so much of our day-to-day work together. I have also found myself in a surprising (and even bemusing) number of meetings outside the college, getting acquainted with other colleges and with the vast infrastructure that keeps the university running. Those conversations have been generous and energizing, even as I am realizing that I need to figure out how to protect more time to think, and to think strategically, about how we tell our stories and deepen local community engagement (something I am planning on engaging with the Lougheed Schools to accomplish — more on that in future newsletters!).

People keep asking if I am enjoying the job. My honest answer is that I do not know yet. Not because the work is not enjoyable, but because I cannot quite imagine forming such a clear opinion so quickly when there is still so much I do not yet understand. What I can say is that I remain excited by the scale of the challenges and possibilities in front of us, and by the fact that they are things we will work with and through as a team. I continue to be blown away by the range of expertise and by the informal networks of care that shape everyday life across our college. It is a privilege to be invited into that. I recently asked non-departmentalized deans, department chairs, and college and institute leads to send me one-page information sheets on what they are most proud of, whether in teaching, research or community engagement, and I have again been blown away by the fascinating work our people are undertaking.

I also do not mind admitting that I am pretty tuckered out at this point of the semester, and I suspect many of you are as well. So I want to offer the dean's office’s warmest wishes to you and those you care about. Whether your time away involves relaxing in front of the TV or hurtling recklessly down a mountain on skis (or anything in between), I hope it brings some measure of rest and satisfaction, and that all of us can greet the new year feeling at least a little more recharged.

Pishshapmishko,

Chris Andersen

College Updates

Peter Lougheed School of Politics and Democracy 

The General Faculties Council Programs Committee has unanimously approved the Undergraduate Certificate in Politics & Democracy.

With this approval, the certificate and its associated courses are now fully approved and will launch in 2026. The first course, INTD 227, will run in January 2026. Learn more about it here.

Introducing Catalyzing Impact and Integration – The Colleges and Faculties within One University

The purpose of this report is to provide an update about the colleges, the faculties and how our academic structure serves as a foundational element of One University.

Looking Back at 2025

For this edition, rather than share updates, we have asked each college office to share highlights from 2025. We hope you enjoy reflecting on the year with us.  

Office of Access, Community and Belonging & Indigenous Initiatives

In 2025, the Office of ACB & Indigenous Initiatives delivered the first interim college-wide review of Braiding Past, Present & Future, highlighting early momentum and shared priorities among the college’s four faculties.

The office also worked with the Office of the Provost to support the launch of the Disrupted and Displaced Palestinian Students and Scholars (DPSS) initiative, helping coordinate pathways for students and scholars whose studies and research were disrupted.

The year was also marked by joy and visibility, including our first walk in the U of A Pride Parade as a college and the creation of the CSSH Shoutout series.

Office of Research

For the Office of Research, this was a year of celebrating research excellence! It was a notably strong year for SSHRC results with the U of A surpassing the national average in all categories.

This year also saw the introduction of new research areas in the college, including the launch of the Transforming Research for Social Impact (TRSI) Hub and the opening of a dedicated space for the Black-Led Research Partner Network (BRNI).

SSH: The Podcast continued to share conversations that spotlight the fascinating work of faculty members across the college. This year also launched a new season with Temitope Oriola (associate dean, research) stepping in as the new host. Be sure to check out the newest episode with Faculty of Arts’ Dean Robert Wood.

In October, faculty researchers, centres, institutes and research support teams from our college showcased their work and accomplishments at CSSH’s inaugural Celebration of Research.

Office of Education

The Office of Education introduced Teaching Squares this year — an initiative designed to bring together instructors interested in developing their teaching practice through structured peer engagement. The first cohort included participants from the Alberta School of Business, the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Education.

Performance Corner

Department of Drama: antigone lives*

The aftermath of civil war forms the backdrop of one family’s struggle in this daring reinvention of one of Sophocles’ greatest tragedies. Mature content.

Date: Until Dec. 13
Location: Timms Centre for the Arts
Learn more

Department of Art & Design: HELP! I need somebody, HELP! not just anybody

Exhibition running in the FAB Gallery Jan. 13 - Feb. 7.
Learn more

Department of Music: URINETOWN, THE MUSICAL

Presented by the U of A Opera Theatre, this musical is set in a world where water is more precious than gold, and the simplest human need becomes a battleground for rebellion, love and revolution.

Date: Jan. 9-11
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Convocation Hall, North Campus
Learn more