Brandon University will welcome internationally recognized scholar, public intellectual and civic leader Dr. Jessica Riddell as this year's Stanley Knowles Distinguished Visiting Professor in Public Policy.
Riddell will be hosted by the Department of English, Drama and Creative Writing in the Faculty of Arts. Through virtual and in-person activities, she will contribute to classes in English literature and drama, the Faculty of Arts Speaker Series, the Faculty of Arts Teaching Circle and workshops focused on topics including the implementation of BU's Academic Plan and the renewal of key university policies.
She will also deliver a keynote address, "The Future of the Public University: Humanities, Hope, and Civic Imagination," during BU's inaugural Arts Day on Sept. 23.
"Dr. Riddell's enthusiasm for literature, the arts and university life is infectious," said Dr. Deanna Smid, chair of the Department of English, Drama and Creative Writing. "I am so pleased that she will share her expertise and excitement with students and faculty alike. We look forward in particular to her engagement with new students as they discover the joy and necessity of humanities degrees."
Riddell's scholarship brings together Shakespearean studies, innovation in teaching and learning, and civic renewal. Her recent books, Shakespeare's Guide to Hope, Life, and Learning, published by University of Toronto Press in 2023, and Hope Circuits: Rewiring Universities for Human Flourishing, published by McGill-Queen's University Press in 2024, explore the roles of literature and learning in ethical citizenship, democratic imagination and moral resilience.
Riddell is the Stephen A. Jarislowsky Chair of Undergraduate Teaching Excellence at Bishop's University. Her work includes developing institutional supports for educational quality, mentorship and community-engaged learning, as well as leading large-scale collaborations and cross-sector projects that reflect Canadian values: equity, pluralism, civic engagement, and public trust.
During her time with BU, Riddell will meet formally and informally with faculty, staff, students and members of the public. She will hold office hours for conversation and exchange and seek feedback on her manuscript in progress, Hope Circuits Rewilded: An Ecosystemic Approach to Flourishing. The project considers how institutions could be redesigned as living ecosystems and how they can cultivate the curiosity, courage, civic imagination and ecological literacy needed during a period of profound uncertainty.
"I am delighted to welcome Dr. Riddell back to BU this fall," said Dr. Gregory Kennedy, Dean of the Faculty of Arts. "She brings a hopeful vision of what our universities could be and how we might get there. Her encouraging presence, distinctive expertise and exceptional ability to engage others will enrich our programming for students, support our faculty and contribute to the dynamic exchange of ideas at the heart of the Faculty of Arts."
Riddell previously worked with the Faculty of Arts in 2025, helping to organize and co-host a faculty retreat. Her research on the future of public universities supports the implementation of BU's Academic Plan and aligns with the goals of the Stanley Knowles Distinguished Visiting Professorship in Public Policy.
"Dr. Riddell is a perfect fit for this professorship," Kennedy said. "Her work speaks directly to public policy for post-secondary education while building on the many excellent initiatives already underway across Brandon University."
Named in recognition of BU's second chancellor, the Stanley Knowles Distinguished Visiting Professor welcomes visiting scholars with an international reputation to the University. While at BU, distinguished visiting professors conduct academic work that compares and contrasts Canadian and global public policy, with the goal of benefitting both the University and the surrounding community. The position is rotated among BU's faculties and the School of Music.
