Louis Patrick Leroux and Francesca Scala appointed Associate Dean, Research and Associate Dean, Graduate Studies
Louis Patrick Leroux and Francesca Scala.
The Faculty of Arts and Science (FAS) welcomes Louis Patrick Leroux as Associate Dean, Research and Francesca Scala as Associate Dean, Graduate Studies.
“Over the past three years in the role of Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies, Kim Sawchuk made incredible gains in strengthening these critically important dossiers,” says André Roy, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science.
“Her success in the role laid the groundwork for continued growth. When she left to focus on her research, it became clear that two distinct positions were needed to maintain the momentum she had created and to support the university and the faculty’s shared goal of doubling research and growing smartly.”
Roy says Leroux and Scala will be working closely and collaboratively to ensure continued growth in these highly interactive areas.
‘Truly interdisciplinary research’
Leroux’s academic research and graduate supervision covers modern and contemporary theatre, cultural discourse, research-creation, playwriting and dramaturgy, Québec literature, and contemporary circus. He believes the interdisciplinary nature of his research will serve him well in this new role.
“My research projects are large-scale, multi-modal and connect me with researchers, students and professionals who challenge me to approach things from multiple perspectives,” he says. “I’m looking forward to exploring how flexible and adaptable our institution can be for truly interdisciplinary research.”
Leroux is Founding Director of the Montreal Working Group on Circus Research, a collaborator with the Canada Industrial Research Chair in Circus Arts and a member of the Performing Arts Research Cluster of the Milieux Institute. He is a regular on the conference circuit and his work has been published in journals, books and as creative works in numerous languages. He was inducted into the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists of the Royal Society of Canada in 2017. He holds a joint appointment in the departments of English and Études françaises.
‘A destination for top students’
In her role as director of the Masters in Public Policy and Public Administration (MPPPA) program in the Department of Political Science, one of the largest MA programs in the faculty, Scala has come to understand the challenges facing graduate schools.
“I’ve seen that it’s important to work closely with faculty, students and administrators to expand opportunities for academic training and professional development for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.”
Important and exciting research is happening in this faculty, says Scala, and she is eager to put her collaborative skills to work in helping the faculty build and strengthen its graduate programs.
“I’m excited to collaborate with academic units and sectors in FAS to make Concordia a destination for top students wanting to pursue graduate studies in the humanities, social sciences and sciences.”
Scala’s research is in gender and public policy, social and health policy and the politics of knowledge and expertise in policy making. She has a forthcoming book with UBC press titled Delivering Policy: The Contested Politics of Assisted Reproductive Technologies in Canada. As graduate program director, Scala worked with her colleagues towards the accreditation of the MPPPA program by the Canadian Association of Programs in Public Administration (CAPPA) and in 2017-2018, she served as faculty coach for the MPPPA’s inaugural team to CAPPA’s annual National Case Competition in Vancouver, B.C. She was awarded a Faculty of Arts and Science Dean’s Award for Excellence in Academic Service in 2018.