Saint Mary's University is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Lori Francis to the position of Dean, Faculty of Science, Saint Mary's University, effective September, 2021.
"I am honoured to announce the appointment of Dr. Lori Francis as the new Dean of the Faculty of Science," says Saint Mary's University President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray. "Dr. Francis brings experience and innovation to this exciting role. Her thoughtful leadership will ensure the continuing success of the Faculty of Science at Saint Mary’s, a Faculty renowned for its international-calibre research and exemplary teaching. I am confident that Dr. Francis will advance our World without limits.”
Dr. Francis joined the Saint Mary’s University Department of Psychology as an Assistant Professor in 2002. Over the course of her career at Saint Mary’s University she actively engaged in research, teaching, and service, being promoted to Full Professor in 2014. In 2017, she joined the Dean of Science team as Associate Dean of Science: Student Affairs and has served as the acting Dean of Science since 2018.
Originally from rural Newfoundland, Dr. Francis is a first-generation university student in her family. She holds a BSc from St. Francis Xavier University, an MSc from McMaster, and a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Guelph. She lives in Halifax with her husband Brian and their two sons.
Dr. Francis looks forward to supporting and championing faculty, staff, and students in the Faculty of Science at Saint Mary’s University. She believes in pursuing innovative science and achieving academic excellence in an inclusive and accessible environment.
“I am proud of Saint Mary's commitment to science education, research, and outreach,” said Dr. Francis. “I look forward to building upon the efforts of our university's faculty, students, and staff to promote diversity, equity and inclusion, and to understand and answer the unique challenges and questions we face in the world today.”