Alan Shepard

Alan Shepard is an American-Canadian academic and university leader with a passion for early modern theatre and the Stratford Festival. He is president of Western University in London, Canada. As a university leader, Alan has championed efforts to ensure that university education keeps pace with the digital revolution, while continuing to prize the fundamental roles played by universities in a democratic society. He has previously served as provost of Ryerson and president of Concordia University in Montreal. As a teacher and writer, he has worked in several areas: in the early modern period, and in the intellectual transitions associated with the scientific revolution; in modern and contemporary theatre; in the teaching of analytic writing; and in the present needs and future challenges faced by universities. Alone and with colleagues he has published three monographs: "Marlowe's Soldiers," "Fantasies of Troy," and "Coming to Class." He has published numerous scholarly articles, research notes and the like. As a university president since 2012, he has published pieces in many leading Canadian venues. His academic work has been supported with fellowships at the University of Toronto and the Folger Shakespeare Library. Current and past board service includes Universities Canada, the Canadian Research Knowledge Network, the Montreal Chamber of Commerce and the London Economic Development Corporation. He served on the Stratford Festival's Board of Governors from 2013 to 2018 and rejoined in 2020; he serves on the HR Committee.