Our President
Dr. Trish Kelly became the 10th President + Vice-Chancellor of Emily Carr University on October 3, 2024. In this role, Dr. Kelly leads ECU’s academic mission, strategic direction and daily operations—guiding the university’s vision, advancing research and creative practice, and representing ECU within the post-secondary and cultural sectors.
An award-winning educator and scholar, Dr. Kelly brings broad leadership experience from art, design and media institutions across North America.
About Dr. Trish Kelly
Dr. Trish Kelly began her term as the 10th President + Vice Chancellor of Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU) on October 3, 2024.
An award-winning and accomplished educator and researcher, Dr. Kelly oversees ECU’s world-renowned academic programs, strategic direction and operations across the institution, as well as outreach and advocacy on behalf of ECU and the broader post-secondary sector.
She maintains an outstanding record of strong leadership, strategic vision and experience from academic and art and design institutions across North America.
Prior to her appointment, Dr. Kelly served as ECU’s Vice President Academic + Provost, as Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Culture + Community, and as an Associate Professor in the faculty.
Originally from the United States, Dr. Kelly holds a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design, an MA from Tufts University and a PhD in art history from the University of British Columbia.
As an art historian and educator, Dr. Kelly’s writings on contemporary art have been published in numerous peer-reviewed publications. Her research involves a range of subjects, including minimal art and abstraction, art and politics, alternative art networks, and time and duration in new media production.
She is currently working on a book project titled On-Site: Art, Politics, and Viewers (New York, circa 1970), exploring modes of critical and embodied viewership explored in artist-run centres and alternative art networks of the early 1970s.
Dr. Kelly is committed to collaborative and inclusive leadership models and has served on various boards and advisory committees.