Dr. Paul Walsh

For most, Downsview Park is a vast, grassy escape from the urban heat of downtown Toronto—a cultural hub that has hosted legendary rock bands like AC/DC or the Rolling Stones. For Paul Walsh, it’s the home for Toronto Metropolitan University's new aerospace research centre.

Walsh is leading the way in the creation of a new student-focused research space. Neighboured by Bombardier and Downsview Airport, the area will become a flourishing hub of aerospace activity. “They’ve had these clusters in Europe for decades,” explains Walsh. “So why aren’t we doing the same thing here?”

As an educator, Walsh focuses on helping students build the confidence they need to succeed in the industry. In the Capstone Design Course, industry professionals are brought in to watch presentations and provide invaluable feedback. “I tell them to rake the students over the coals—it’s the test of fire! At that point, they’ve earned their degree,” he smiles.

After holding the position of department chair for almost a decade, Walsh has earned his stripes. “It’s all about managing people and facilitating what they want to do,” he says. “You have to enable people to succeed, and I love doing that.”