President and CEO
Jack is President and CEO of the Association for Canadian Studies and the Metropolis Institute. He holds a Ph.D. in Canadian History from Concordia University. Prior to 1998, he served as executive director of the Quebec branch of the Canadian Jewish Congress. He is an author and contributor to academic publications, government reports and newspapers across the country in the fields of immigration, multiculturalism, diversity, human rights and official languages. Following three decades of wide-ranging research on public opinion and demographics, he is regularly consulted by media and government bodies alike for his expertise and insights on issues of import in the public sphere. He has taught and lectured at McGill University, the Université du Québec à Montréal and Concordia University, offering courses ranging from public policy to the history of immigration and minority groups, to sports in Canada.
Senior Director
James has a B.A. in Political Science from McGill University and an M.A. in Public Policy and Public Administration from Concordia University. His past experience spans the community, non-governmental and political sectors. Since joining ACS in 2001, he has played a fundamental role in the evolution of the organization through the creation and development of key networks and partnerships. James oversees the coordination and programming of ACS-Metropolis’ national conferences, seminars, forums and other events.
Director of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships
Paul Holley, Director of Research and Evaluation
Paul Holley is the Director of Research and Evaluation at the Association for Canadian Studies and the Metropolis Institute. With extensive experience in program evaluation and applied research, his work focuses on developing data-driven tools that build community capacity, inform public policy, and improve access to information. He leads the Canadian Index for Measuring Integration and Inclusion (CIMII), a national framework for tracking immigrant outcomes across economic, social, civic, and health dimensions, and the Nunavut Inuit Sustainable Housing Index (NISHI), which integrates Inuit knowledge and supports data access across all 25 Nunavut communities. His research also spans anti-racism initiatives and the social determinants of health.
Director of Learning and Operations
Chris leads the organisation’s learning initiatives including uMetropolis, directs communications and organizational operations, and oversees the organization’s web infrastructure, including server maintenance, website management, and web security. He has a background in the sciences, holding a BSc in Marine Zoology from the University of Newcastle, UK. He has further qualifications in online education and learning management systems, and is a confident content creator. Chris worked as both a teacher and a senior manager before moving into the field of e-learning.
Senior Research Analyst
Michele earned his PhD in Human Geography from Wilfrid Laurier University in 2016. He also holds a Master’s degree in Geography from the University of Iowa and a Master’s degree in Rural Sociology from Auburn University. His research sits at the intersection of health geography and public health, with a focus on issues such as barriers to healthcare access, immigrant health, health behaviors, food insecurity, and mental health. Since joining the ACS and the Metropolis Institute in 2023, Michele has primarily contributed to the development of two major research initiatives: the Canadian Index for Measuring Integration and Inclusion (CIMII) and the Nunavut Inuit Sustainable Housing Index (NISHI).
Communications and Events Officer
Chloe holds a B.A. in Communication Studies from Concordia University, where she explored the intersections of public discourse, gender and sexual identity, and media representation. During her studies, she co-organized an academic conference showcasing the work of her peers. Before joining the Association for Canadian Studies & The Metropolis Institute, Chloe worked in the federal public service, where she developed and implemented communication strategies to support internal change-management initiatives. In her current role, she contributes to ACS-Metropolis’ communications activities and supports the planning, organization, and execution of conferences and events.
Special Advisor
Randy Boswell is an associate professor with Carleton’s University’s School of Journalism and Communication. He was previously a longtime writer and editor with the Ottawa Citizen and Postmedia News, pioneering a national beat focused on Canadian history and identity. He has guest edited a number of editions of Canadian Issues/Thèmes canadiens over the past decade with the Association for Canadian Studies. He continues to publish feature stories, political commentary and more as a freelance journalist.
Communications, Knowledge Mobilisation & Outreach Lead
Abdelkrim is a seasoned multilingual professional with extensive experience in public and diplomatic institutions. He specializes in strategic communications, research, and project management, with a proven record of delivering high-impact initiatives that create value and bridge policy, practice, and people – insuring ideas translate into real-world solutions. He brings a strong multicultural perspective and ability to navigate complex international environments. He holds a Master’s degree in Criminology from Middlesex University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resources and a Bachelor’s in Translation. Driven by a passion for languages, geopolitics, and social development, he contributes his communication and research skills to diverse ACS national and international projects and initiatives.
Special Advisor
Corinne retired in July of 2023 after almost 33 years with the federal government including time with the CRTC, the Secretary of State, Human Resources Development Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Over her career, Corinne lead the growth and transformation of a number of federal programs including the Canada Student Loans Program, the Foreign Credential Recognition Program, Labour Mobility programming, the Going to Canada Immigration Portal, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, the National Occupational Classification system, Labour Market Information, Career Information, Essential Skills programming, the Settlement Program and the Resettlement Program. She also lead legislative changes to the Canada Student Loans Act, the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act, the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, and the Official Languages Act.
Research Associate
Eunice has an interdisciplinary background in public health, refugee & migrant issues, social innovation, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, program development, and data analysis. She holds a Master’s in health sciences from the University of Lethbridge, Canada and a Bachelor’s in Health Services Administration from the University of Ghana. Eunice is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Urban Studies at Heriot-Watt University, UK. Eunice has interest in social justice, engages advocacy and collaborative actions with local and international organizations for positive impact.Â
Research Data Analyst
Hongshu completed a Master of Arts in Sociology and an Honours Specialization in Sociology at Western University. He is interested in conducting quantitative research, and has experience researching factors that influence immigrants’ political participation in Canada. He is currently contributing to research and analysis of two ACS Metropolis major projects: the Canadian Index for Measuring Integration and Inclusion as well as Nunavut Inuit Sustainable Housing Index.