Biography

Research & Innovation. Dr. Shapson’s research and innovation interests have spanned the fields of technology enhanced learning, bilingual and multicultural education, and the development of innovative programs and policies. He has published widely; his research and publications have received awards from the American Educational Research Association (AERA) and the Canadian Journal of Education (CJE). He has been awarded numerous grants and contracts for his research totalling over $6 million and has directed large-scale, externally funded, national and provincial studies. He has been a principal researcher for a variety of national studies such as the NCE – TeleLearning, the SSHRC Strategic Theme (Knowledge-based Economy), the CANARIE funded broadband learning program ABEL (Advanced Broadband Enabled Learning), and the federal Tri-Council IPM/Knowledge Mobilization initiative.

Institutional Capacity Building. In his recent administrative role as York’s first VP (Research & Innovation), Dr. Shapson’s strategy has shifted from his own individual research to focus on building institutional R&I capacity. He worked collaboratively with leaders from municipalities, community hospitals, and private sector companies on economic and social innovation cluster initiatives. In this regard, he is the founding Co-chair, with the Mayor of Markham of the Innovation Synergy Centre in Markham, founding Chair of YORKbiotech and of the consortium that developed scientific and business plans for establishing a Convergence Centre in Markham, Chair of the Provincial Consortium CONCERT (Consortium on New Media, Creative, and Entertainment R&D in the Toronto Region), and he is currently working on KM/social policy impacts with human services/social agencies. 

Professional Leadership. Through voluntary Board and committee work, Dr. Shapson’s roles Federally and Provincially have included: Co-chair of both the Ontario Advisory Committee on Advanced Technology in Learning and the Federal SchoolNet Advisory Committee on Professional Development; Chair of the Provincial Working Group on Learning Environments and Resources for the Ontario Knowledge Network for Learning (OKNL); a member of the Federal SSHRC Granting Council, he also has served as Interim President and Chair of SSHRC; Chair of the Optical Regional Advanced Network of Ontario (ORANO) Board; a member of the Board of Research Canada; and past Chair of both the Ontario Council of University Research (OCUR); and the Ontario Association of Deans of Education.