Burnett to explore importance of the knowledge economy on the future health of BC
Acclaimed educator, presenter and cultural industries visionary Dr. Ron Burnett will be coming to the Comox Valley as part of the day long event “Workplaces of the Future – Creativity and Diversity Where We Work” to be held at the Florence Filberg Centre in Courtenay on May the 12th.
Dr. Burnett is the President and Vice-Chancellor of Emily Carr University of Art and Design and the author of over of 150 essays and articles in books and journals around the world. He was the editor-in-chief and founder of Ciné-Tracts Magazine, a film and cultural studies journal that was among the first to appear in Canada. Burnett is also a photographer, videomaker and filmmaker. He developed one of the first academic web sites in Canada in the early 1990’s, and continues to blog at http://www.ecuad.ca/~rburnett. Burnett was also one of the founders of the New Media Innovation Centre in Vancouver
His May 12th presentation will explore the importance of the knowledge economy on the future health of BC. “New developments in the ways in which we work, new patterns of involvement in the workplace, and changing expectations of employers and employees have all contributed to a major shift in traditional notions of labor and employment. These issues have been further accentuated by the transformative impact of digital technologies on every aspect of the working environment. The rapid growth and development of the cultural industries are an early sign of the impact and importance of the knowledge economy on the future health of BC. This presentation will focus on the creative sector and explore whether this sector is telling us something very important about the future of work in our society.”
Burnett was the Director of the Graduate Program in Communications at McGill University and recent honours include induction into the Royal Academy of the Arts, Canadian New Media Association Educator of the Year award and appointment as Chair of the Knowledge Network Board. Burnett has also been appointed Adjunct Professor at York University in Toronto, a Burda Scholar at Ben Gurion University in Israel, and a William Evans Fellow at the University of Otago in New Zealand. .
Burnett has published three books including the recent, How Images Think, over 150 book chapters and journal articles. His second book, Cultures of Vision was recently published in China. Burnett has been a strong advocate for post-secondary education in Canada and was the founder and editor of one of Canada’s first Cultural Studies and Film journal. He has lectured around the world and is a sought after speaker.
“Workplaces of the Future – Creativity and Diversity Where We Work” is a thought provoking day-long professional development event for employers, business owners and professionals designed to stimulate ideas, strategies and inspiration about diversity, creativity and change in the workplace. Engaging speakers and panelists, exhibits and workshops will explore ways to achieve success through promoting, practicing and celebrating diversity and creativity at work.
This event is part of the Welcoming and Inclusive Communities Project sponsored by the Creative Employment Access Society. You can register today at the Comox Valley Art Gallery (338-6211) or through the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce (334-3234). Early bird registration runs till April 23rd. Full day registration is $55. Lunch only registration for the Dr. Burnett keynote (11:30-1:30) is only $35. There are limited seats available. (See poster below.)
