Michael Stevenson

Former President of Simon Fraser University, Michael Stevenson PhD is an award-winning innovative leader and international educator.

With over a decade as a university administrator at York University holding positions including Vice President Academic and Dean of Arts, Stevenson later went on to hold the position of President at the Simon Fraser University. During his two full terms in the role, Stevenson played a key part in the growth of the institutions academic standard and research profile. It was also under Stevenson’s leadership that the university was awarded by the Institute of Public Administration of Canada a gold medal for its public sector leadership and innovation. Also a widely published academic author, Stevenson specialises in a combination of Canadian and African politics. He has published scholarly articles on Sub-Saharan African post-independence politics and was awarded the Harold Adams Innis Award for best social sciences book in 1999 – 2000. Stevenson is also an acclaimed author on policy issues including health, income and judicial reform, following his involvement in educational policy across numerous university councils, including the University Presidents Council of British Columbia.

His recognition to education has not gone unnoticed and Stevenson was later awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal and honorary degrees in Law. In addition, Stevenson has served as Director for a number of non-profit organisations, including the PuSh International Festival of Performing Arts and the British Columbia Achievement Foundation.