Steven Murphy, PhD
President and Vice-Chancellor
Dr. Steven Murphy is a distinguished organizational behaviour expert, and champion of equity, diversity and inclusiveness.
Full biography
The President of Ontario Tech University, Steven Murphy, Ph.D., is renowned for his organizational and human behaviour expertise across business and industry. Even more notably, his dedication to equity, diversity and inclusiveness underscores every facet of how he lives his life. Beyond the lens of race and gender, he believes firmly in the diversity of thoughts and ideas. Holistically, his vision for the university is to be a real bastion for alternative ways of thinking about why diversity in all forms is important. In his previous role as Dean of the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University, Dr. Murphy transformed the school’s brand, established novel interdisciplinary programs to meet challenging, real-world demands, and fostered innovative and entrepreneurial co-op opportunities for students, growing the university’s program exponentially. Previously, he spent more than a decade in progressive academic and leadership roles at Carleton University’s Sprott School of Business, including Associate Dean, Research and External. During his tenure, he also served as Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies, Associate Professor, and Assistant Professor, and holds an esteemed record of academic achievement awards for his work examining the role of emotions in strategic decision-making, leadership and other organizational and human behaviours, as well as his insightful approach to teaching. Internationally, Dr. Murphy was named a Visiting Academic Fellow of the Business School at the University of Western Australia in 2010, and he has also taught MBA courses in China and the Middle East. He has published more than 110 papers, book chapters and technical reports. Dr. Murphy received his Institute of Corporate Directors Designation from the Directors of Education Program at the University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management. Growing up in a family run business and learning first-hand the value of working with people inspired his educational trajectory. He earned a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in Human Resource Management. Dr. Murphy enhanced his education with a Master in Management Studies (with Distinction) in the Management of Technology. Equipped with fundamentals in business and technology management, he addressed his passion for understanding human behaviour and emotions, and completed his Doctorate in Management, Organizational Behaviour, all at Carleton University.
Areas of expertise
Education
- 2017ICD.D - Directors Education ProgramUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management
- PhD - Management, Organizational BehaviourCarleton University
- 1995MMS (Distinction) - Management of TechnologyCarleton University
- 1993BComm (Honours) - Human Resource ManagementCarleton University
Media appearances
- Huffington Post December 31, 1969Amazon Wants A 2nd Headquarters. Toronto Has What It TakesAmazon has sparked a flurry of activity when it announced its plans last week to search for a second headquarters, a move that would reportedly bring 50,000 jobs to the host city. Toronto has what it takes to win this bid. The Six is the most vibrant, diverse city in North America, buzzing with innovation and budding entrepreneurs and startups. From its booming tech sector and rich talent pool to diversity and livability, Toronto makes a compelling case to be home to Amazon's "HQ2." Here's a refresher of the city's competitive advantage.
- The Globe and Mail December 31, 1969Want your company to be more innovative? Hire co-op studentsSteven Murphy is dean of the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University in Toronto. Here's a reality many business leaders confront at some point: corporate cultures can eat innovation strategies for breakfast. The inertia and siloing that can settle into any workplace can be antithetical to the boldness and flexibility required to drive innovation. So, what realistically can be accomplished?
- The Globe and Mail December 31, 1969How businesses can catalyze social changeDr. Steven Murphy (@DrStevenMurphy) is dean of the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University. Populism is on the rise in the Western world, creating a climate of intolerance, racism and xenophobia. But there is a reason that leaders like Donald Trump in the United States and Marine Le Pen in France have gained in popularity. Many people in the West feel left behind due to technological changes, globalization and rising inequality. Feeling betrayed by their governments, the disenfranchised opted to follow politicians who positioned themselves as anti-establishment. The issue is such leaders are polarizing societies based on division and fear. The irony, of course, is that such a strategy runs counter to the values that those countries were founded upon: inclusion, diversity and giving everyone an equal chance regardless of who they are, or where they are from.
- Huffington Post January 2, 2017This Is Why Diversity Is Good For BusinessIn the past few days, business leaders across the U.S. have spoken out against President Trump's executive order on immigration. From Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Google to Ford, Starbucks and Goldman Sachs, CEOs have reinforced that diversity is a strength. The Canadian tech community also wrote an open letter in support of diversity.
- The Globe and Mail December 31, 1969Women leaders need to celebrate their achievements, loud and proudThis column is part of Globe Careers' Leadership Lab series, where executives and experts share their views and advice about leadership and management. I was recently at an event that was awarding outstanding female leaders in the business community. One award recipient was called to the stage to say a few words. I was hoping to hear a speech that highlighted her accomplishments and leadership in the corporate world, the very reason she was being recognized. However, she instead focused almost her entire speech on her family and the sacrifices she had made to be successful in her career.
Speaking engagements
- The University of Western Australia, Perth August 6, 2011Reintegrative Shaming in Modern Organizations: Lessons from Medieval and Early Modern ScholarsEmotions in the Medieval and Early Modern Worlds Conference
- University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia December 31, 1969Shame in Self and Organisations5th Asia Pacific Symposium on Emotions in Worklife
- HEC Montréal, Montréal, Québec December 31, 1969Emotional Contagion in Computer Mediated CommunicationTenth International Conference on Knowledge, Culture and Change in Organizations
- Chicago, Illinois July 8, 2009On the Folly of Rewarding A, While Hoping for B: A Critical Assessment of Theory Development2009 Academy of Management Annual Meeting
- Berlin, Germany December 31, 1969Design Attributions: The Role of Self-Identity, Personality and EmotionThird International Conference on Design Principles and Practices
Affiliations
- Lakeridge Health Board of Trustees member
- Administrative Sciences Association of Canada
- Canadian Federation of Business School Deans
- Toronto Board of Trade