Eliza Chandler appointed executive director, Office of Social Innovation
The Office of Social Innovation (OSI) welcomes its next executive director, Dr. Eliza Chandler, effective September 1, 2024.
Dr. Chandler is an associate professor in TMU’s School of Disability Studies and a member of the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists.
Her transdisciplinary research program sits at the intersection of disability studies, accessibility, disability arts and technology, and she is widely recognized for her work on how disabled people’s innovative practices are transforming culture and advancing rights and social justice.
Dr. Chandler’s deep commitment to social innovation, coupled with her impressive academic and leadership experience, make her an ideal fit for this role. Her work exemplifies TMU’s dedication to addressing complex societal challenges through collaborative and inclusive approaches.
Her vision for OSI emphasizes community-engaged initiatives, experiential learning, and the development of socially responsible technologies. She plans to leverage her extensive network and expertise to foster partnerships across sectors and create opportunities for students to apply their knowledge to real-world problems.
Under Dr. Chandler’s leadership, OSI is poised to continue to make significant contributions to TMU’s mission of creating positive change through innovation and collaboration.
Thank you to Dr. Melanie Panitch for her many years of service as executive director of OSI. Dr. Panitch has been an inspirational leader, a change agent, and an outstanding colleague and we wish her all the best on her upcoming sabbatical.