Dr. Oliver Schmidtke appointed to a one year term as the Interim Director for the Centre for Global Studies (CFGS)
MESSAGE FROM THE VICE-PRESIDENT RESEARCH
It is my pleasure to announce that Dr. Oliver Schmidtke has been appointed to a one year term as the Interim Director for the Centre for Global Studies (CFGS), replacing, Dr. Gordon Smith who retired at the end of June. Dr. Schmidtke, a former director of European Studies, holds appointments in the departments of Political Science and History and has an extensive record of scholarship in comparative and identity politics, citizenship and immigration, and xenophobia and racism. Oliver will work closely with the interim program committee to implement the recommendations of the CFGS working group to expand and deepen the engagement of UVic faculty and students in the centre’s activities. The CFGS’s initial programs of research will revolve around four interdisciplinary themes: global governance, environmental challenges, social justice, and culture and identity.
Under the direction of Dr. Schmidtke and the interim program committee, a number of fellowships for UVic faculty and students and visiting scholars will be established during the coming year. Plans are being developed for a series of lectures, symposia, and workshops that will serve as a catalyst for interdisciplinary research in the CFGS’s areas of thematic concentration.
Dr. Schmidtke looks forward to engaging the university and wider community in the renewal of the CFGS research programs over the coming year.
Howard Brunt
Vice-President Research