Our Education Team

Our high faculty-to-student ratio ensures small class sizes and lots of face-to-face interaction between students and staff. Faculty come to the program with exceptional credentials, teaching ability, and experience. These same faculty are consistently involved in research, bringing currency and innovation to the learning experience.  

 Department Administration 

bio_IDAH_genericwomanHelen Evans Warren, BID, BA, MEDes, NCIDQ, IDEC, Chair, Associate Professor

Helen brings extensive industry experience in commercial and residential design into studio. Passionate about an holistic approach to design of spaces that connect people to place and the experience of design, she encourages students to explore options while considering aesthetic and pragmatic aspects of design. 

bio_IDAH_genericmanSarah Block, Administrative Assistant to the Chair

Sarah is the central hub of information and expertise in our department and the first point of contact for most students and visitors to Interior Design & Art History. 

bio_IDAH_genericwomanKim Dejikhangsar, Resource Centre Manager

Our dedicated Material and Resource Centre is a key teaching and student resource for our program and Kim manages the extensive collections and updates. Kim is also our liason between the department and industry suppliers.

Design Faculty

bio_IDAH_genericwomanPaula Dozois, Associate Professor

Design Theory and the interaction between human beings and their environment are key interests for Paula. She brings a weath of knowledge and passion to her students in studio in guiding them toward thoughtful, engaging, meaningful design solutions.  

 

bio_IDAH_genericmanFrank Harks, BID, MEDes (cand), NCIDQ, Associate Professor, Student Academic Advisor

Understanding the complex relationships between humans and interior spaces has been Frank’s driving force as a design educator. After years in professional practice, Frank currently teaches in the foundation years of the program. His areas of interest include colour, light and topics related to the impact of changing demographics on interior design.  

bio_IDAH_genericwomanClare Mackey, Dip. ID, B.Evds, M.Arch, Assistant Professor, Coordinator

Clare has been teaching at Mount Royal since 2004 and holds a Diploma in Interior Design, Bachelor of Environmental Design Studies and Masters of Architecture. Clare teaches in both the Design and Construction streams at MRU. She has taught Design, Design Communications, Design Issues, Construction and Building Code and Systems.

bio_IDAH_genericmanRob Platts, B.F.A., M.Arch, MRAIC, Associate Professor, Coordinator

Rob is involved in many aspects of the Design program and has special interest in concept  development, aesthetic philosophy and the application of Design Theory across disciplines.

bio_IDAH_genericwomanMark Chambers, M.Arch, AAA, Instructor

Mark has recently completed a project as Heritage Architect on the Calgary Public Building and will be presenting his research at the 14th INTO  International Conference of National Trusts in Victoria this fall.

 Art History Faculty

bio_IDAH_genericwomanRob Surdu, PhD, Associate Professor, Coordinator

Rob's area of research is architectural theory from the 18th c. to the present with a focus on practices of tectonics and materiality in the built environment. Rob also enjoys studying and lecturing on the theoretical perspectives that have emerged in the discipline of art history.  

bio_IDAH_genericmanMichelle Veitch, PhD, Assistant Professor

Michelle's research examines contemporary Canadian art focusing on site specific practices and urbanization. She analyzes political aesthetics in public city space borrowing from geography studies and critical art discourse.

bio_IDAH_genericwoman Kathryn Brownsey, BA, MA, Instructor

Kathryn Brownsey enjoys teaching an array of Art History Classes at Mount Royal. Her special interests include Impressionism, English Modernism, and British/Canadian linocut artist Sybil Andrews.

Sessional Faculty

The Department of Interior Design and Art History is very fortunate to have attracted the talents of many exceptional part-time instructors:

  • Terry Almond
  • Alan Antioquia
  • Natalie Badenduck, BID, M.Arch
  • Chris Bullen
  • Laura Fenniak
  • Ian Franceschi
  • Jaime Gallant
  • Diane Haas
  • Darryl Knittle
  • Neilei Man
  • Jacqualine McFarland
  • Keith Moe
  • Christine Perry
  • Janice Rieger
  • Dave Schleindl
  • Penny Thibault
  • Dedre Toker
  • Nick Walters
  • Deborah Wilson