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Dr. Adam Donaldson joins UNB after leadership roles at Dalhousie, bringing strategic insight and a commitment to inclusive, research‑driven graduate education.

The University of New Brunswick has named Dr. Adam Donaldson its new dean of the school of graduate studies, marking the start of his five‑year term on Jan. 1, 2026.

“I’m excited to join UNB at a moment when graduate education is evolving in meaningful ways,” said Donaldson. “UNB has a long tradition of excellence, and there is tremendous opportunity to build on the university’s strengths and support students as they pursue research, innovation and community‑engaged scholarship.”

Before joining UNB, Donaldson served as associate dean academic in the faculty of graduate studies at Dalhousie University, where he was also a professor of chemical engineering.

His portfolio at Dalhousie included oversight of graduate academic programming, scholarship administration and major strategic initiatives. Among these were the development of a part‑time PhD framework, the modernization of academic policies and the introduction of digital platforms that streamline scholarship applications. He twice served as acting dean, supporting more than 130 graduate programs and over 4,000 students.

An advocate for community‑engaged scholarship, Donaldson has collaborated with campus and community partners to expand equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives, including mentorship programs and community‑led scholarship pathways. He has supported new admission routes and transition programming designed to meet the needs of diverse learners.

“Over the next five years, my focus will be on strengthening pathways into graduate studies, enhancing student supports and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration,” he said. “Graduate students are at the heart of research and innovation, and ensuring they have the resources and environment to thrive will be a central priority.”

Donaldson’s research spans process engineering, optimization and multiphase flow, with active collaborations in Canada, Germany and Japan. His work has been supported by the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Mitacs and industry partnerships, and he has supervised students across multiple disciplines and levels of study. He is also a fellow of Engineers Canada and a past president of Engineers Nova Scotia.

“I look forward to working with colleagues across UNB to elevate the impact and visibility of graduate education across our campuses and communities.”