Niels Agger-Gupta
Candidate, Academic Council
Associate Professor
Frequently considered a “rubber stamp” by faculty, Academic Council is a reflection of the provost’s relationship with the faculty, where we collectively work for the good of the university.
In my previous time at AC, I have seen faculty have substantial ability to influence and shape academic policy, albeit sometimes only subtly, through their questions and suggestions for changes to policy. I have organized meetings for faculty on AC, to advocate for issues to be brought to AC meetings. The intent has been to discuss academic issues and identify important issues to be raised at AC. I have enjoyed my time in AC, and hope I could return to AC to continue our strategy of faculty influence.
Leadership on AC by our amazing group of faculty members has been a critical factor in the continuing smooth running of the university, and will continue to be during the coming redesign implementation. I have been involved in the Regenerative Sustainability Committee, as well as on Pedro and Phillip’s Vision 2045 faculty team, and was a co-author of the original Learning & Teaching Model (now the LTRM) (2013 -see here), and a co-editor of the book of RRU LTM case studies (2016-see here).
I was also Secretary of RRUFA between 2009 and 2018. The upcoming AC term promises to hold yet more changes and challenges for RRU, and I would not want to miss this! I would be pleased to represent the faculty perspective at the Academic Council again for this coming two-year term. Thank you!
My biography
Dr. Niels Agger-Gupta has been a core faculty with the School of Leadership Studies since 2007. Acting Director of the School since October 2022, Niels is also currently the acting program head of the MA-Leadership (Health Specialization), and previously served as program head for MA-Leadership and Graduate Certificate in Leadership.
Starting as an associate faculty member, Niels was first adjunct faculty with the Knowledge Management Program in RRU’s Division of Science, Technology and Environment (2004 – 2007). Earlier, Niels was a consultant, and adjunct faculty for a number of southern California universities, and organizational researcher specializing in organization behaviour, leadership, cultural and linguistic competency in health care, Appreciative Inquiry, organization change, group facilitation, and program evaluation.
He was scholar-practitioner consultant with the Fielding Graduate Institute’s Center for Innovation in the Non-Profit Sector (2002-2007); executive director of the California Healthcare Interpreters Association (2000/2002); and established regional language interpreter services with Calgary Health Region in Alberta, (1997/1999). Niels was a consultant with the Alberta Multiculturalism Commission from 1987 to 1998.
Recently, Niels has been working with Drs. Shauneen Pete, Marnie Jull, on the Decolonizing Together workshop series at RRU that began last November. Robin Mueller presents Monday May 27.
Niels holds a Ph.D. in Human and Organizational Systems, from Fielding Graduate University, Santa Barbara, California (2001); an M.A. in Organizational Development, Fielding Graduate University(1999); a B.Ed., University of Calgary (1985); and a B.A. (political science) from the University of Saskatchewan (1978).