Prof. Allison Macfarlane Reappointed as Director and Prof. M. V. Ramana to Serve Director Pro Tem in 2025/26
We’re pleased to announce that Prof. Allison Macfarlane has been reappointed as Director of the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs (SPPGA) for a second five-year term, extending her leadership through to 2031.
“I’d like to express my appreciation for Dr. Macfarlane’s commitment and dedication to leading the School, her advocacy on behalf of SPPGA faculty, staff, and students, and her contributions as a member of the Heads and Directors leadership group in the Faculty of Arts,” said Dr. Clare Haru Crowston, Dean of the Faculty of Arts. “I look forward to continuing to work with Dr. Macfarlane in the coming years.”
An internationally recognized expert in energy and environmental policy, particularly nuclear policy, Prof. Macfarlane brings a unique blend of academic and government experience to her leadership role. A former Chair of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and a leading voice on nuclear waste policy, she continues to advance SPPGA’s mission of interdisciplinary, policy-relevant research and education on global challenges.
“Over the past five years, I’ve been proud to see SPPGA grow into a major school of policy and international affairs. We set our intentions through our Strategic Plan, modernized our curriculum, expanded our faculty and student numbers, and developed important new programs. I’m excited for the next five years, when we expand our master’s degree offerings, establish an advisory capacity, and deepen our partnerships with federal and provincial government offices as well as the international community”
Prof. Macfarlane will be taking an administrative leave through the 2025/26 academic year during which time she will be conducting research on nuclear waste disposal policy in Australia, Canada, and the United States. She will return to her role as the Director of SPPGA in summer 2026.
For the 2025/26 academic year, Prof. M. V. Ramana will serve as Director pro tem of SPPGA. The Simons Chair in Disarmament, Global and Human Security, Prof. M.V. Ramana’s research focuses on international security and energy policy, particularly issues related to nuclear energy and fissile materials. He has previously served as Graduate Program Director of the MPPGA program and of the Centre for India and South Asia Research.
