The School of Public Policy and Administration is deeply saddened to announce that our beloved colleague and friend Christopher Stoney passed away on Saturday, December 11 at home, surrounded by his family.
Chris met his wife, Catherine Waters, while they were both in SPPA’s MA in Public Administration program from 1987 to 1989. Chris then went on to complete his PhD in strategic management in public sector restructuring at Leeds Metropolitan University in England before joining Imperial College at the University of London. Chris returned to Carleton University in 2003 to join the SPPA faculty.
As director for the Centre for Urban Research and Education (CURE), Chris examined infrastructure and urban sustainability. He was also an academic advisor to the Transportation Policy and Innovation Centre (TPIC). His background in public management, federal and municipal government enabled him to apply a governance lens to urban sprawl, as well as key decisions about transportation and infrastructure, land-use planning, housing and energy.
His most recent book, Keeping Canada Running: Infrastructure and the Future of Governance in a Pandemic World, was published in September 2021.
Chris was a dedicated teacher, coaching the SPPA team at the annual National Public Administration Student Case Competition, including the gold medal team in 2020. He was an avid member of the SPPA faculty soccer team, which has beaten the student team at the annual game every year for as long as anyone can remember.
Christopher Stoney receives the SPPA soccer trophy on behalf of the faculty team at the annual SPPA Gala.
Teaching Awards
For the 2016-2017 and 2019-2020 academic years, Chris received the SPPA Teaching Award. The award is bestowed by students on a faculty member for their excellence in teaching and the impact and influence their teaching will have on students’ professional lives long after graduation. In 2009, he also won the Faculty of Public Affairs Teaching Excellence Award for consistency in teaching excellence over time and across courses, successful innovation in curriculum or classroom instruction, and commitment to student advising and engagement. In 2010, Chris was a recipient of the Carleton University Teaching Achievement Award.
Please view Professor Stoney’s 2016-2017 SPPA Teaching Award acceptance speech below.
Details of the celebration of life to be held in January 2022 will be available on the Hulse, Playfair & McGarry website, subject to public safety requirements.