Learn something new every week.
Curious minds have a lot to look forward to this fall. The University Lecture Series (ULS) returns with thought-provoking talks that span history, politics, geography, art, science, architecture, media and beyond.
Each week, scholars and thought leaders bring fresh insights to the stage, inviting you to question assumptions, consider new perspectives, and spark meaningful conversations. Whether you’re passionate about a specific topic or eager to broaden your horizons, the ULS offers an engaging hour of discovery and dialogue.
Join us in person on the St. George campus for this season’s lineup, hosted for the first time by the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies’ Dean Dr. Catherine Chandler-Crichlow.
Date: October 3
Speaker: Joe Ogilvie, Founding Principal Archangel Ventures Inc.
Title: Livable Cities: Strategic Innovations in Housing and Urban Renewal
Cities are changing rapidly. Over the past decade, global investment trends— driven by economic policies that increased the flow of money into financial markets—have made housing a high-demand asset, contributing to rising costs and reduced affordability. At the same time, the shift to hybrid work has left many downtown cores quieter, challenging cities to maintain energy, tax revenue, and essential services. In this lecture, project executive Joe Ogilvie explores how these forces are reshaping urban life. He’ll discuss the rise of dense housing near transit hubs, the “hollowing-out” of central business districts, and how cities are responding with new strategies. Joe will also highlight how Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies are influencing housing investment, and how a “Canada-first” approach to procurement is driving innovation in sustainable building materials like engineered timber. These trends are converging as cities work to rebuild livable, economically resilient urban cores.
Biography: Joe Ogilvie, PMP, LEED AP is a seasoned project executive whose career spans cutting-edge nano-manufacturing in Silicon Valley to high-performance building projects across Canada. He is the Founding Principal of Archangel Ventures, a real estate and construction innovation advisory firm dedicated to transforming the industry through new capabilities that deliver projects better, faster, and more affordably. Joe currently serves as Chair of the OMERS & Oxford Leadership Institute in Real Assets at the Schulich School of Business, York University. In addition, he sits on the board of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and is a member of the City of Toronto’s Climate Advisory Group. Joe is also the founder of the Ogilvie Award for Excellence in Project Management at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies (SCS), and a recipient of the SCS Excellence in Teaching Award for Professional Studies (2014).
Date: October 10
Speaker: Ivan Semeniuk, Award Winning Science Journalist, Globe and Mail
Title: Mysteries of the Cosmic Dawn
When the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) was launched, astronomers looked forward to peering further into space than ever before, and to witnessing the cosmic dawn — the epoch when the first galaxies emerged and set the stage for the universe as we know it today. What happened next was a surprise. Instead of baby pictures, JWST sent back images in which some galaxies looked more massive and developed than expected, apparently straining the ability of cosmological theories to account for their emergence in such a short time. Since then, more data have accumulated, and the interpretation has become more nuanced but no less interesting. In this overview of JWST’s initial findings and ongoing discoveries, Ivan Semeniuk embarks on a journey to the cosmic dawn and offers a journalist’s perspective on what it’s like to cover a scientific story that is changing as it’s being told.
Biography: Ivan Semeniuk reports on science for The Globe & Mail. A veteran science journalist in print, broadcast and online media, his stories have informed Canadians about topics as diverse as space exploration, climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. He is a former news editor with the journal Nature and a producer and presenter of science television documentaries. His work has garnered several awards including the Royal Canadian Institute’s Sandford Fleming medal for contributions to the public understanding of science.
Date: October 17
Speaker: Commander Teri Share, Royal Canadian Navy, His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Margaret Brooke
Title: Cold Waters, Warm Alliances: A Naval Journey to Antarctica
Join Commander Teri Share as she takes us inside her extraordinary journey commanding HMCS Margaret Brooke on a groundbreaking mission to Antarctica— one of the most remote and challenging environments on Earth. This first-of-its-kind deployment for the Royal Canadian Navy tested the limits of planning, leadership, and international collaboration. Discover how her crew overcame logistical and environmental hurdles, united diverse perspectives to achieve mission goals, and forged meaningful connections across continents in the spirit of diplomacy and discovery. In this candid session, Commander Share will also offer behind-the-scenes insights into the mission’s unexpected challenges, and the human moments that shaped its success.
Biography: Commander Teri Share enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces in 2002 and has since built a distinguished career as a Naval Warfare Officer. She has served in diverse operational theatres including the Middle East, Caribbean, and West Africa, with deployments supporting international security, diplomacy, and humanitarian efforts. Her leadership roles have included navigating and commanding several Royal Canadian Navy vessels, notably HMCS Shawinigan and now HMCS Margaret Brooke. In 2025, Commander Share led a historic deployment to Antarctica as part of Operation PROJECTION, advancing defense diplomacy and scientific collaboration in one of the world’s most remote regions. She also served as the Navy’s Conduct and Culture Officer, championing initiatives in inclusion, equity, and Women, Peace, and Security. Commander Share holds a Master of Maritime Management and lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Date: October 24
Speaker: Professor Janice Gross Stein, Belzberg Professor of Conflict Management and the founding Director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto
Title: An Age of Uncertainty: Five Revolutions All at Once
We are living through a period pf unprecedented turbulence; unlike anything we have seen in our lifetimes. This turbulence is the product of five revolutions that are converging, causing unprecedented friction. The first revolution is the rapidly warming climate, the second is the accelerated development of advanced technologies, the third is the revolutionary president in the United States, the fourth is the return of great power competition, and the fifth is the reconfiguration of the global trade system and the global economy. Any one of these revolutions would be difficult to navigate, but the simultaneous acceleration of all five guarantees that the future will not look much like the past.
Biography: Renowned as one of Canada’s most respected national and international experts on world politics, Janice Gross Stein is the Belzberg Professor of Conflict Management and the founding Director of the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and a member of the Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario. She is an Honorary Foreign Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She was the Massey Lecturer in 2001 and an inaugural Trudeau Fellow. She was awarded the Molson Prize by the Canada Council for an outstanding contribution by a social scientist to public debate. She has been awarded Honorary Doctorate of Laws by five universities around the world. In 1996, Stein became a University Professor, the highest honour the university accords its faculty. Her research sits at the intersection of cognitive science, psychology, and international politics as she focuses on decision making and strategy. The author of eight books and more than a hundred articles, her most recent work is on the management of escalation and the psychological, institutional, and political factors that explain surprise. Her latest research focuses on the intersection of geopolitics and technology.
Date: October 31
Speaker: Professor Kevin Temple, an award-winning researcher, writer, and educator with a PhD in Philosophy from the New School for Social Research
Title: Plato on the Plight of Democracy
Liberal democracies are faltering. Some are becoming “competitive authoritarian” regimes, using democratic institutions to systematically undermine the rights of citizens and the rule of law. Autocrats are cooperating to amass wealth and power, bending their countries to their wills. How did we get into this mess? The problem, it turns out, is as old as Western democracy. In Book VIII of Plato’s Republic, Socrates describes five forms of government, from best to worst. Democracy—the second-worse regime—inevitably collapses into tyranny: rule by a violent, self-dealing autocrat. What can we learn from Plato’s critique of democracy? By surfacing the rampant debt exploitation that gave rise to ancient Greek democracy and exploring key passages in the Republic, Kevin Temple will reveal familiar challenges Athenians faced 2,400 years ago and consider lessons for restoring the resilience of modern liberal democracies.
Biography: Kevin Temple is an award-winning researcher, writer, and educator with a PhD in Philosophy from the New School for Social Research. His research investigates philosophical anthropology and the philosophy of mind from a historical perspective. Currently, he is writing a book about how the invention of coinage 2,600 years ago transformed how we understand ourselves and our world.
Date: November 7
Details: Stay Tuned!
Date: November 14
Speakers: Stephen Haynes - Sr. Director Technical Services, Rogers Communications, and Neel Dayal - Head of Innovation and Partnerships, Rogers Communications
Title: The Role of Partnerships in Driving Innovation
Innovation in telecommunications is powered by collaboration. Join Stephen Haynes, Sr. Director, Technical Services, Rogers Communications, and Neel Dayal, Head of Innovation and Partnerships, Rogers Communications, as they discuss how strategic partnerships are shaping the future of connectivity in Canada. With a brief look at how the industry has evolved, this session will focus on the present and future, highlighting how cross-sector collaboration is accelerating innovation and delivering meaningful solutions for Canadians. From emerging technologies to inclusive digital strategies, Stephen and Neel will share insights into how partnerships foster resilience, drive economic growth, support social progress, and spark innovation.
Biography: Stephen Haynes is currently Sr. Director Technical Services, Rogers Communications and is responsible for a national technical team that provides support for Enterprise customers across all Rogers Business products and services. Stephen is a member of the Black Leadership Council at Rogers and participates in many DEI&B initiatives. Stephen has been in the Telecommunications industry for the past 35 years. He previously held positions, within the Rogers Group of Companies, in Wireless, Cable and Rogers Business Solutions (RBS), which carried responsibility for Sales, Business Development, Service Delivery, Service Assurance, Customer Service, Project Management, Operational Excellence, Training, Technical Support and Accounts Receivable. Stephen was also SVP Operations/Co-Founder of MultiChannel Communications Inc (MCCI). Stephen was a previous Vice Chair and Board member of the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) and was a previous Volunteer Cabinet member of the United Way Peel Region. Stephen is also a classically trained Double Bass player.
Biography: Neel Dayal joined Rogers Communications Canada Inc in October 2012 as part of the Digital organization. Since then, Neel has worked in various roles in the strategy organization, finance and is currently leading Innovation and Partnerships in the Technology Organization. His current accountabilities include partnerships with the University of British Columbia and the University of Waterloo focused on 5G Research on smart cities, public safety, transportation and bringing the most advanced 5G technologies to both campuses. He recently launched the 5G Create Lab at Communitech in the heart of Kitchener/Waterloo’s vibrant tech ecosystem where he will be working with the ecosystem to accelerate the commercialization of 5G technologies. He currently sits on the Toronto Board of Trade Innovation Sub Committee and the Canadian Telecom Summit Advisory Board. He is also an active investor and advisor to early-stage companies. Prior to Rogers Communications, Neel spent a number of years in telecommunications working for Bell Canada and Virgin Mobile in various roles including working on Smart Cities. He also worked as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of an Aerospace Manufacturing company where he led the growth of the company to become a Tier 1 supplier to the world’s largest Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Prior to that, Neel spent time at Cap Gemini Ernst & Young in their Technology practice as well as Celestica. He graduated from Richard Ivey School of Business and the McGill Desaultels MBA program. He lives in Toronto with his wife and two highly active boys and is active in his community as a board member at the Parkdale Centre for Innovation.
Date: November 21
Speaker: Susan McCahan - Associate Vice President & Vice Provost, Digital Strategies; Vice Provost, Innovations in Undergraduate Education at University of Toronto
Title: The Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the University of Toronto
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a transformational technology that is changing society and the University. In this engaging talk, we explore how the University of Toronto is navigating the opportunities and challenges of AI across teaching, research, student services, and administration. Grounded in the findings of U of T’s 2025 AI Task Force, the session will provide an overview of what AI is (and is not), how generative AI tools are impacting academic work, and what it means to be an “AIready” institution. We will examine U of T’s guiding values—academic freedom, integrity, inclusion, and sustainability—and how they inform the responsible integration of AI. From virtual tutors and research automation to administrative efficiencies, this talk will outline the vision for AI at U of T and invite reflection on how post-secondary education is evolving in the age of intelligent machines.
Biography: Professor Susan McCahan is Associate Vice-President and Vice-Provost, Digital Strategies and Vice-Provost, Innovations in Undergraduate. A key aspect of the new Digital Strategies portfolio is to provide leadership in information technology and artificial intelligence, focusing on enterprise-level services and systems, with a particular emphasis on information technology related to the academic mission of the University. Professor McCahan recently completed her appointment as Provostial Advisor on Artificial Intelligence, heading up a University Task Force on AI which resulted in the report: “Toward an AI-Ready University”. She is currently leading the implementation of the Task Force report recommendations. Professor McCahan is in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering and is cross appointed to the Institute for Studies in Transdisciplinary Engineering Education & Practice at the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. Her previous roles include Vice Dean, Undergraduate and First Year Chair.
Date: November 28
Speaker: Bruce Kidd, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto and a celebrated figure in Canadian sport and Olympic history
Title: The Future of The Olympic Sports in Canada
In recent years, the Olympic sports in Canada have been rocked by a series of damaging scandals, including allegations of sexual abuse by coaches and other leaders, cheating, corruption, and the lack of accountability. Funding to the national sports bodies that send Canadian athletes into international competition has flatlined. In response, the Canadian government has appointed a three-person commission to investigate with a trauma-informed, human rights approach, conduct public hearings, and make appropriate recommendations. Led by former Ontario chief justice Lise Maisonneuve, the Future of Sport in Canada Commission constitutes the most significant examination of Canadian sport since Justice Charles Dubin investigated the steroid culture that led to Ben Johnson’s disqualification from the 1988 Olympics. Professor Kidd is an advisor to the Commission. In this talk, he will critically discuss the relevant issues, the Commission’s preliminary findings, his own hopes, and the likely effect on Canada’s Olympic chances.
Biography: Bruce Kidd, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto and a celebrated figure in Canadian sport and Olympic history. He was the founding dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education and held several senior leadership roles at U of T, including Vice-President and Principal of UTSC and Warden of Hart House. He recently concluded his term as the University’s Ombudsperson on June 30, 2025. A former Olympian, Canadian Athlete of the Year, and lifelong advocate for athletes’ rights, Bruce has authored 16 books (including two children’s books) and hundreds of articles on the history and political economy of sport. He is an honorary member of the Canadian Olympic Committee and has been inducted into multiple halls of fame, including Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame. Bruce continues to contribute to national sport policy, currently serving as the chair of the Academic Advisory Panel for the Future of Sport in Canada Commission. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2004.
Date: December 5
Speaker: Blake C. Goldring, C.M., O.Ont, M.S.M., CD, CFA, Executive Chairman of AGF Management Limited (AGF)
Title: Many Ways to Serve: Canada Company's Mission in Action
The year is 2006. Flag-draped caskets of Canadian soldiers killed in the line-of-duty make the infamous journey along the Highway of Heroes. These brave members of the Canadian Armed Forces gave everything in service to Canada. If they could give it all, thought Blake Goldring, then the rest of us have a duty support them, along with those left behind. It was from this realization that Canada Company was founded and for nearly 20 years, the organization has been on a mission-focused journey to support the brave men and women that defend our nation and our values. “Many Ways to Serve” isn’t just Canada Company’s motto – it’s a call to action. Join Blake to discover how all Canadians – from corporate executives to educators and everyone in between –can meaningfully serve and support the soldiers, sailors, and aviators that keep us safe.
Biography: Blake C. Goldring is the Executive Chairman of AGF Management Limited (AGF). He first joined the firm in 1987 and held a series of senior positions before being appointed President in 1997, CEO in 2000, and CEO and Chairman in 2006. In December, 2018, Goldring was succeeded as CEO by Kevin McCreadie and assumed the role of Executive Chairman. Under his leadership, AGF has diversified its business, evolving into an independent and globally diverse asset management firm whose companies deliver excellence in investing in the public and private markets through three distinct business lines: AGF Investments, AGF Private Capital and AGF Private Wealth. As Executive Chairman of AGF, Goldring provides guidance and counsel to the CEO in setting the mission, vision and strategic direction for the firm. He also provides counsel to AGF’s Executive Management Team and plays a key role supporting the firm’s strategic relationships. At the same time, he provides leadership to AGF’s Board of Directors in carrying out its collective responsibilities to supervise the management of the business and affairs of the company. Goldring sits on a number of private company and not-for-profit boards, and is acting Chairman of the C.D. Howe Institute, and is also the founder and Chair of Canada Company, a non-partisan charity devoted to supporting Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans and their families. Goldring has received numerous honours in recognition of his personal and professional achievements, including being named a Member of the Order of Ontario on January 1st, 2024, a Member of the Order of Canada in 2018 and receiving honorary degrees from The University of Toronto, Victoria University (University of Toronto) and the Royal Military College. Goldring holds an Honours BA in Economics from the University of Toronto and an MBA from INSEAD in France. He is also a member of the Toronto Society of Financial Analysts, a CFA® charterholder and a Fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers.