Atkinson heads public policy school

July 11, 2008

Michael Atkinson has been named as the inaugural executive director of the Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy.

The former U of S provost brings extensive administrative experience as well as a history of academic accomplishments in the field of public policy to the position, according to a joint announcement by the Universities of Saskatchewan and Regina. The school, along with similar entities for public health and environment and sustainability, were initiatives identified in the first University of Saskatchewan integrated plan, although the Johnson-Shoyama school is the only one jointly established at the province’s two post-secondary institutions.

Atkinson, whose term began July 1, will be responsible for establishing the strategic direction for the school and implementing its teaching, research and outreach objectives. He will retain his faculty appointment in the Department of Political Studies but will be overseeing the school’s operation at both campuses.

Ken Rasmussen, who has directed the school since its inception three years ago in Regina, has been named associate director. Rasmussen is also associate dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research at the U of R.

In addition to Atkinson, the school has made three primary founding U of S faculty appointments – Canada Research Chair Daniel Béland, Janice MacKinnon from the Department of History and Agricultural Economist Murray Fulton.  John Courtney has been named as a professor emeritus.