Announcing new dean of the Faculty of Health Disciplines, Dr. Alex Clark
Athabasca University is pleased to announce Dr. Alex Clark as the new Dean of the Faculty of Health Disciplines (FHD).
Alex Clark (he/him) is a values-driven administrator, researcher, and advocate for growth-oriented academic workplaces. Alex is excited and eager to work together to contribute to AU’s mission as a fully open, digital-first, research-intensive university.
A settler in Canada, originally from Scotland, he’s worked across academic departments of public health, medicine, and nursing. With a decade of experience in academic administration, from 2017, Alex was Associate Vice-President (Research) supporting health research across the University of Alberta.
As a writer, consultant, and educator, his work has been featured in Nature, the Guardian, University Affairs, and Times Higher Education. In 2018, he co-authored the SAGE book “How to be a Happy Academic”.
Alex’s research seeks to improve access and outcomes in heart disease via complexity-driven methods, theory, and design. A former career-scientist, his work has influenced health policy and practice worldwide and been published in the world’s best-known medical and health journals. He continues to be a peer-review panel chair for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
“This move comes during a time of profound historical change across health, work, and higher education. I am proud to be joining Canada’s leading online university in this key role. Together, I look forward to working with team members and learners to grow the contributions of the faculty to this changed and changing world.”
– Dr. Alex Clark, Dean, Faculty of Health Disciplines
Alex’s efforts around mentorship and development were recognized via his designation as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader/Young Scientist and Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. His honorary and other academic appointments include the: University of Sydney, George Institute of Global Health (Australia), University College Dublin, Glasgow Caledonian University, University of Toronto, and Australian Catholic University.
Alex lives on Treaty 6 Territory in Edmonton and is a husband and father to two children who are now on their own university journeys. He enjoys soccer, the visual and performing arts, reading, and travel.
Alex will officially join AU on September 7, 2021.
