Toronto Metropolitan University experts available to comment on Back to School
TORONTO, August 13, 2025 – Faculty experts at TMU can provide insight into a wide range of issues relevant to new and returning students, in the context of trending topics such as artificial intelligence, cost of living, mental health, and more. Please contact the experts directly.
For a full list of faculty experts, visit our experts database.
Research:
Recess Project Canada
Founded by Ashoka Fellow Dr. Lauren McNamara, the Recess Project simultaneously studies and actively addresses social barriers that children face on school playgrounds. The project has worked with over 2,000 children by coordinating activities that create opportunities for all to feel included.
Dr. Lauren McNamara Ph.D
Founder and Director, Recess Project Canada
lauren.mcnamara@torontomu.ca
Ted Rogers School of Management's Diversity Institute
Communicable disease:
Timothy Sly
Professor Emeritus, School of Occupational and Public Health
tsly@torontomu.ca
Jessica Mudry
Professor, School of Professional Communication
jessica.mudry@torontomu.ca
Vaccines and Misinformation:
Jessica Mudry
Professor, School of Professional Communication
Cultivating happiness and mindfulness:
Diana Brecher
Adjunct Faculty and Clinical Psychologist, Centre for Student Development and Counselling
dbrecher@torontomu.ca
Substance Use: Cannabis:
Brad Poulos
Instructor, Ted Rogers School of Management
bpoulos@torontomu.ca
Substance Use: Alcohol:
Sarah Dermody
Associate Professor, Department of Psychology
ssdermody@torontomu.ca
LGBTQ+ health (i.e., sexual identity and health):
Sarah Dermody
Associate Professor, Department of Psychology
ssdermody@torontomu.ca
Trevor Hart
OHTN Chair in HIV Applied Research in Gay and Bisexual Men’s Health
Professor, Department of Psychology
trevor.hart@torontomu.ca
Nutrition:
Nick Bellissimo
Professor, School of Nutrition
nick.bellissimo@torontomu.ca
Housing:
Shelagh McCartney
Professor, School of Urban and Regional Planning
shelagh.mccartney@torontomu.ca
AI in the classroom:
Jake Okechukwu Effoduh
Assistant Professor, Lincoln Alexander School of Law
effoduh@torontomu.ca
Ethics of using AI:
Richard Lachman
Director, Zone Learning and Professor, The Creative School
richlach@torontomu.ca
Angela Misri
Assistant Professor, School of Journalism
Postsecondary Education:
James L. Turk
Director, Centre of Free Expression
jim@jameslturk.com, (613) 277-0488
Transit/Commuting:
Raktim Mitra
Assistant Professor, School of Urban and Regional Planning
raktim.mitra@torontomu.ca
Linda Rothman
Associate Professor, School of Occupational and Public Health
linda.rothman@torontomu.ca
*Away week of August 18
Upskilling and Microcredentials:
Linda Koechli
Dean, Chang School of Continuing Education
lkoechli@torontomu.ca
Fashion:
May Friedman
Associate Professor, School of Fashion & School of Social Work
may.friedman@torontomu.ca
Body Positivity:
May Friedman
Associate Professor, School of Fashion & School of Social Work
may.friedman@torontomu.ca
Early Childhood Education:
Janelle Brady
Assistant Professor, School of Early Childhood Studies
janelle.brady@torontomu.ca
*Available as of August 19
Finances & Budgeting:
Amy Peng
Associate Professor, Interim Dean of Arts
apeng@torontomu.ca
*Away August 12 to August 22