Welcome to the 2026-27 Academic Year

As we begin a new academic year, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all new and returning students. Daniels is an extraordinary community of designers, artists, scholars, researchers and makers and it is here that you will experience firsthand the interdisciplinary strengths of a University of Toronto education.

For our newest students, I hope you have enjoyed the past few days of orientation events and August coursework, and that you have already begun to experience the generosity, creativity and sense of community that make Daniels a special place. Congratulations to our undergraduates and orientation leaders who, for the third consecutive year, won the cheer-off at the university clubs fair on September 3!

Whether you’re a new or returning student, do make the most of your time here. Go beyond the classroom to enjoy the many events and social opportunities available through our student clubs and societies, including the Architecture and Visual Studies Students Union (AVSSU), the Graduate Architecture, Landscape and Design Student Union (GALDSU), and the Forestry Graduate Students' Association (FGSA). Take opportunities to learn from one another, build new connections and in doing so, you will contribute to the vibrant intellectual life of the faculty. The relationships you build, the conversations you have and the experiences you pursue beyond your coursework will be an important part of your Daniels education.

The school year ahead promises to be an exciting one. Our Public Program, Understories, will bring distinguished architects, landscape architects, artists, designers, researchers and thought leaders to the faculty through a series of lectures, exhibitions, screenings and symposia. I would also like to thank the undergraduate and graduate students who contributed their time and creativity to the development of the unique Fall 2026 Public Program display in the West wing of the Commons. The large-scale collage that reflects the imagination, creativity and collective spirit of the Daniels community.

Highlights this term include the Michael Hough/OALA Visiting Critic in Landscape Architecture Lecture by Anne Whiston Spirn, MIT's Cecil and Ida Green Distinguished Professor of Landscape Architecture and Planning (September 17); Leading with Landscape: Toronto's Waterfront Transformation, a symposium and exhibition organized by MLA Program Director Fadi Masoud (October 1-3); and a two-day screening program led by Associate Professor, Teaching Stream James Macgillivray, exploring the relationship between cinema and architecture (October 5 & 6). 

Other upcoming events include Community for Belonging, a reading group initiative led by the Eberhard Zeidler Library and Daniels' Equity, Diversity and Inclusion office. On October 1, participants will gather at Hart House Farm for an immersive discussion exploring themes of water and trees. We will continue to update our website’s events calendar with new opportunities as they are announced.

We are also pleased to welcome several distinguished visitors to Daniels this year. Architect, educator and chairperson of UK-based GROUPWORK Amin Taha joins us as the 2026-27 Frank Gehry International Visiting Chair in Architectural Design. Award-winning filmmaker Rhayne Vermette will serve as our 2026 Filmmaker-in-Residence, and in January we will welcome Dr. Diana C. Anderson as the inaugural holder of the Turner Visiting Professorship in Architecture and Health.

In addition to new faculty appointments, Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream Behnaz Assadi and Assistant Professor Ang Li, we have new program directors in two programs: Fadi Masoud for landscape architecture, and Mauricio Quirós Pacheco for urban design and post-professional programs. Alongside faculty and staff, our program directors are dedicated to supporting student success and fostering a positive and rewarding educational experience. The current academic leadership can be found here.

Complementing this commitment to student success, we continue to invest in our teaching, learning and research spaces. Over the summer, our facilities and IT teams completed a range of improvements across the faculty. From the visual studies studios and the Earth Sciences Centre to the Soils Lab, Forestry Computer Lab and Forestry building, projects undertaken over the summer have enhanced these spaces. Significant audiovisual technology upgrades have also been completed throughout One Spadina, with additional improvements continuing throughout the term.

Our community members continue to be recognized on local, national and international stages, reflecting the extraordinary talent, creativity and scholarship that define our community. We are proud to celebrate these achievements and look forward to showcasing the exceptional work taking place across Daniels. If you receive an award, recognition, or other distinction, I encourage you to contact the Dean’s Office (daniels-dean@daniels.utoronto.ca) so that we can celebrate your accomplishment with the broader community.

I wish you a rewarding, inspiring and successful year ahead, and I look forward to meeting many of you in the months to come. As you settle into the term, please know that the faculty and staff across Daniels are committed to supporting your success. If you have questions, require assistance or are seeking guidance, I encourage you to reach out to the Office of the Registrar & Student Services (registrar@daniels.utoronto.ca) or to the Office of the Dean (daniels-dean@daniels.utoronto.ca). We are here to help.

My door is open,

Mason White, FRAIC
Professor and Dean
John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design
University of Toronto
daniels-dean@daniels.utoronto.ca  

(photo by Polina Teif)