Announcing new dean of the Faculty of Business: Dr. Lisa Watson

Dr. Lisa Watson will soon join Athabasca University (AU) as dean, Faculty of Business. Her passions include supporting her students and colleagues in achieving their goals, and providing inclusive and accessible educational opportunities to a diverse range of learners. She is eager to work with an already strong team to continue to advance the strategic goals of the faculty and university.

“I am absolutely delighted to be joining AU as the new dean of business,” said Watson. “The incredible positive team energy at AU is inspiring and its mission aligns perfectly with my desire to be a difference-maker who helps to transform lives and communities.

“I simply can’t wait to work with my new colleagues to continue to innovate and be international leaders in flexible, accessible, online education.”

Watson spent the last 16 years living and working on Treaty 4 Territory, most recently holding the positions of associate dean of research and graduate programs and associate professor of marketing at the Hill and Levene Schools of Business at the University of Regina. She has been formally recognized for her achievements in all three academic pillars: teaching, research, and service. She has a PhD from Bond University in Queensland, Australia, and master of management studies and bachelor of commerce degrees from Carleton University in Ontario.

As a consumer psychologist, Watson’s research program considers how to encourage consumers to make more socially and environmentally sustainable choices. She is currently working with an interdisciplinary and international research team in the area of freshwater sustainability and consumption.

Watson is married to an avid Star Wars fan and is mom to two four-legged family members: a one-year-old yorkiepoo, and a three-toed box turtle in his early forties. She enjoys travel, hiking, reading, and playing strategy games.

Watson officially joins AU on Jan. 4, 2022.