Conference: 2026 Post-Secondary Summit

Join Field Law for our annual Post-Secondary Summit, bringing together leaders, legal professionals and industry experts to explore the key strategic, governance and legal issues facing Alberta’s post-secondary institutions.

This year’s summit will examine recent legal developments affecting the post-secondary sector, access to information and privacy, institutional neutrality, labour relations and collective bargaining, student risk assessments, digital transformation, and student accommodations in work-integrated learning.

Who Should Attend?

The Summit has historically been a valued gathering and education opportunity for University Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Deans and other senior administrators, Board Chairs/Vice-Chairs and Committee Chairs, senior operational and governance staff and labour relations/human resource directors.

Questions? Contact Kate at krieger@fieldlaw.com.

AGENDA

Our panels will consist of lawyers (both from Field Law and institutions), professors, past Board members, key senior administrators, and other industry experts from across post-secondary, providing insights, discussion and advice drawn from years of practical experience in this unique area.

The Legal Landscape for Post-Secondaries: A Snapshot of Recent Legal Developments

Presenter: Jason Kully (Partner, Field Law)

As new legislation is enacted and judicial and arbitration decisions are released, post-secondary institutions must navigate these developments carefully and adapt to a changing legal landscape. This annual session will highlight major legal trends, key reforms, and the impact of recent decisions. It will examine how these developments are affecting institutions, the challenges that may lie ahead, and opportunities for adaptation and reform.

The Weaponization of Information Access: A New Reality for Post-Secondary Institutions

Moderator: Rob Hamilton (Associate General Counsel, University of Calgary); Panelists: Mary Golab (Director, Information, Privacy & Records Management Office, University of Alberta), Laura Lydic (Policy & Compliance Analyst, Medicine Hat College), Jennifer Sinclair (Senior Manager, Access and Privacy, University of Calgary), 

Access to information legislation plays a critical role in promoting transparency and accountability across the post-secondary sector. However, institutions are facing increasingly complex requests, evolving privacy obligations, and growing demands on institutional resources. This panel will explore emerging trends in privacy management and access requests, including new legislation, artificial intelligence, and a rapidly changing information environment. Panelists will discuss practical challenges, real-world examples, and approaches to navigating the evolving access and privacy landscape in Alberta’s post-secondary sector.

The Politics of Neutrality: Managing Tensions + Sustaining Engagement in Divided Times

Moderator: John Lemieux (General Counsel, University of Alberta); Panelists: John Alho (Executive Director, Alberta Post-Secondary Network), Gitane De Silva (Executive Director, Peter Lougheed School of Politics and Democracy, University of Alberta)

Institutional neutrality has become an increasingly complex issue for post-secondary institutions navigating political and social tensions, competing expectations, and heightened scrutiny from their communities and governments. While neutrality frameworks are intended to protect intellectual inquiry and support a diversity of views, questions remain about what neutrality looks like in practice, particularly when decisions about curriculum, funding, governance, and institutional priorities may themselves carry political implications. This session will explore the evolving debate around institutional neutrality, including when an institution’s core mission may justify taking a position, how neutrality aligns with institutional autonomy and academic values, and the potential impact on relationships with governments and other interest holders. Panelists will discuss practical approaches to fostering meaningful engagement while navigating the opportunities and limitations of institutional neutrality.

Labour Relations in a Time of Disruption

Moderator: Geoffrey Hope (Partner, Field Law); Panelists: Mark Believeau (Director, Labour Relations & Employee Services, MacEwan University), Marcie Chisholm (Chief Human Resources Officer + AVP Human Resources Health Safety & Environment, University of Alberta), Elena Tyminski (Director, Employee & Academic Labour Relations, People & Culture, University of Calgary)

Artificial intelligence, government-driven austerity and restraints, and shifts in collegial governance are among the forces reshaping labour relations in the post-secondary sector. Many collective agreements and labour relations teams may not be well positioned to respond as effectively as they could. This session will explore practical considerations for institutions preparing for their next rounds of collective bargaining, with a focus on anticipating and addressing emerging pressures at the bargaining table.

Exploring Approaches to Student Risk Assessments

Moderator: Stephanie Nedoshytko (Legal Counsel, MacEwan University); Panelists: Tom Farquhar (Manager, Office of Investigations, MacEwan University), Alana Fukushima (Manager, Office of Student Conduct and Accountability, NAIT), Meg Martin (Director, Student Care, Conduct and Accountability, University of Calgary)

Post-secondary institutions continue to face complex student behavioural concerns that may impact the safety of their communities. In some cases, institutions turn to threat assessment frameworks to assess the risk of violence and support decision-making. However, questions remain about which models are best suited to the unique realities of the post-secondary environment. Approaches may include external threat assessment reports, behavioural intervention teams, and the Violence Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) model. Panelists will discuss the challenges associated with existing models, practical experiences implementing threat assessment processes, and the intersection of threat assessment with student conduct processes and other institutional obligations.

Digital Transformation: How People, Process + Technology Unlock Strategic Decision-Making

Moderator: Benjamin Hall (Associate General Counsel, Mount Royal University); Panelists: Chris Brunelle (Associate Vice-President, Strategic Transformation and Delivery & Chief Transformation Officer, University of Alberta), Jamie Duncalf (Business Architect, Digital Transformation and Technology, University of Calgary), Marcus Nordin (Interim Associate Vice President, Transformation, NAIT)

Digital transformation is far more than an IT upgrade. It requires a fundamental rethinking of how institutions use information, data, and records to support efficient operations and strategic decision-making. As post-secondary institutions navigate ongoing digital evolution, the true value lies not merely in the software brought online, but in establishing practices that support clear accountability and informed decision-making. This panel will bring together leaders from several post-secondary institutions to discuss lessons learned from their digital transformation initiatives.

Beyond the Classroom: Managing Student Accommodations in Work-Integrated Learning

Moderator: Shannon Fuhrer (General Counsel, NAIT); Panelists: Gift Amakye (Learning Services Manager, NAIT), Nicole Mahoney (Associate Dean, Manufacturing Services, NAIT), Sharon Stearns (Accessibility & Accommodations Director, University of Alberta), Dr. Jill Vihos (Associate Dean, Faculty of Nursing, MacEwan University)

Student accommodation becomes more complex when learning moves beyond campus and into practicums, placements, clinical settings, co-ops, capstones, and other industry-facing environments. Post-secondary institutions must support students’ human rights while also working with external partners who may control the day-to-day learning environment, supervision, safety expectations, and assessment of essential requirements. This session will explore practical approaches to engaging external partners, managing privacy and information-sharing concerns, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and responding when an accommodation request creates tension between student access, workplace realities, and program outcomes.