From: Cheryl Regehr, Vice-President & Provost
Date: January 21, 2021
Re: Appointment of Professor Gretchen Kerr as Dean, Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education (PDAD&C #39)

I am delighted to announce that the Agenda Committee of Academic Board has approved the appointment of Professor Gretchen Kerr as Dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education (KPE) for a five-year term from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2026. Professor Kerr is a Full Professor in KPE and currently serves as Vice-Dean, Programs & Innovation in the School of Graduate Studies, having previously served as Vice-Dean, Academic Affairs at KPE.

In all of her leadership roles, Professor Kerr has championed initiatives that have provided immense benefit to both KPE and the wider University. Some highlights include overseeing the development of the Bachelor of Kinesiology and Master of Professional Kinesiology programs at the Faculty, establishing a Dissertation Working Group to support graduate students throughout the course of their degrees, revamping the Graduate Professional Development program at SGS, and chairing the University’s Expert Panel on Sexual Violence Education and Prevention, which laid the foundation for the education and training programs currently offered by the U of T Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Centre. Professor Kerr was also a member of the senior leadership team that designed the organizational structure of KPE as the collective home for academic programs, research, and co-curricular program delivery at U of T. Professor Kerr’s dedication and vision for the Faculty over the years has helped to accelerate the KPE’s position internationally as one of the leading schools in North America for kinesiology and physical education.

Professor Kerr’s research on the treatment of youth and women in sport has been widely recognized for its relevance and impact. For example, through her research, Professor Kerr has forged partnerships with the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee, the Canadian Centre for Ethics and Sport, and the Coaching Association of Canada. In light of her work, she has received awards from the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity and Gymnastics Ontario, among others. Professor Kerr was the subject matter expert on the development of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport which all Canadian sport organizations must adopt by this spring, and was the senior author on Canada’s first prevalence study of maltreatment in sport. Professor Kerr has also been recognized for her dedication to student experience as the recipient of the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations’ Teaching Award in 2007. In addition to an extensive publication record, Professor Kerr has held numerous research grants looking at a range of issues including women in sport, safe sport initiatives in Canada, and the importance of ethical coaching practices. Most recently, Professor Kerr was awarded a grant from Heritage Canada to create a new Canadian Gender Equity in Sport Research Hub.

Professor Kerr completed her Bachelor of Physical & Health Education at the University of Toronto and her Master of Arts in Physical Education at York University, before returning to the University of Toronto to complete her PhD in Exercise Science within the Department of Community Health at the Faculty of Medicine.

Professor Kerr’s wealth of administrative experience at the University, outstanding leadership, and insight into issues of inclusive excellence in the field will be key to the continued success of the Faculty in the future. Please join me congratulating Professor Kerr on this appointment.