Universities play essential roles in Canadian society. The internal and external governance of these complex institutions faces ever-evolving challenges within a rapidly shifting international context.

Written by a national team of scholars, University Governance in Canada asks how institutional decisions are made and who is behind these choices. By exploring the historical evolution and regional contexts of Canadian universities, as well as current trends, the book gives readers deep insight into how these institutions are governed. The authors explore the tensions between academic governance, external and internal stakeholder expectations, and societal demands as they relate to higher education and research in Canada. Comprising a case study of six major universities, the book examines the dynamics of governance at the institutional, provincial, federal, and international levels and reveals how Canadian universities make decisions and how well they are equipped to meet current and future opportunities and challenges.

Canadians invest a lot of money, time, hope, and expectations in their universities. University Governance in Canada gives policy-makers, scholars, governors, leaders at all levels, faculty, staff, students, and citizens at large knowledge and tools that will help ensure the country’s universities excel in their missions and deliver fully on these investments.

Julia Eastman is Coordinator of Policy Development in the Office of the President at Dalhousie University in Halifax.

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Glen A. Jones is a professor of higher education and the dean of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. He is a coauthor of Governance of Higher Education: Global Perspectives, Theories, and Practices.

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Claude Trottier is professor emeritus in the Faculty of Education Sciences at Université Laval.

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Olivier Bégin-Caouette is assistant professor of comparative higher education at the Université de Montréal.

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“Rather than shying away from the complexities, political challenges, and messiness of university governance, this book situates these dynamics in a larger framework that encompasses the inherent tensions of governance. The result is a more balanced and nuanced analysis that builds empathy and appreciation as well as insight and critique.” Patricia Bradshaw, Saint Mary’s University