Student writing on a sticky note that is stuck to a piece of glass

Dr. Brandon McFarlane

Professor

Pilon School of Business

Biography
Teaching & Research Interests
Grants

Dr. McFarlane is a Professor of Creativity and Creative Thinking who investigates how the reimagining of education, research, and cultural policy vis-à-vis the creative city is modifying Canadian art & culture. He mobilizes his research to enhance the quality of life in the Greater Toronto Area by serving on the Toronto Public Art Commission and through collaborative projects with not-for-profits, especially in the theatre industry. He is an expert on Canadian urban fiction and has published widely in Canadian Literature, University of Toronto Quarterly, The Malahat Review, and Literature & the Glocal City. CBC’s Metro Morning and the Globe & Mail have featured his research on Canadian culture and the creative economy. He also created The Sheridan Notebook—an educational tool that synthesizes adult colouring with mindful note-taking—and is currently theorizing the creative humanities.

Teaching Interests

Creative city, creative industries, creative problem solving, creative leadership, innovation management

Research Interests

Applying creative problem solving to resolve community challenges in the creative industries and creative city. Helping cultural not-for-profits envision their future and achieve their goals through consulting-style services in creativity training, innovation management, community outreach, and strategic planning.

Grants

"Creative Colouring Project". Sheridan College. SRCA Growth Grant. $5,000. 2016.
Brandon McFarlane (Principle Investigator), Devin Murray, Kristine Villeneuve.
"Breaking Through Barriers to Gender Equity in Canadian Film". Sheridan College. SRCA Growth Grant. $5,000. 2018.
Brandon McFarlane (Principle Investigator), Laura Chute, Rosie Daniels, Aisling Flynn-Post.
"Mobilizing Social Innovation to Train the Next Generation of Theatre Entrepeneurs". NSERC. College and Community Social Innovation Fund. $240,000. 2018.
Brandon McFarlane (Principle Investigator), Co-Applicants: Dr. Glenn Clifton, Dr. Catherine Hale, Dr. Michael McNamara, Jennifer Phenix. Collaborators: Carly Chamberlain, Tom Arthur Davis, Dr. Patrice Esson, Lucy Eveleigh, Tanisha Taitt. Project Managers: Paola Di Barbora, Kate Dockeray Research Assistants: Kayden Chan, Rosie Daniels, Faizal Eidoo, Jacquelyn Ferguson, Brittany German, Sandra Ghobrial, Steven Grabell, Lynne Li, Anthony Marcelino, Robyn Miller, Lexy Pakenham-Troth, Karly-Anna O’Brien, Michaella Pannu, Shanil Patel, Ayesha Qamar, Declan Rolph, Michael Rugo, Tanisha Taitt, Aura Torres, Victoria Webb, Sarah Whang, Matthew Wong, Taylor Zantingh .
"Remaking Critical Theory". Sheridan College, SSHRC. SRCA Growth Grant, SSHRC Explore Grant. $10,000. 2020.
Brandon McFarlane (Principle Investigator), Marco Cibola, Dr. Catherine Hale, Dr. Alexander Hollenberg, Hyein Lee.
"Children's Book Jam". Sheridan College, SSHRC. SRCA Growth Grant, SSHRC Explore Grant. $10,000. 2021-.
Brandon McFarlane (Co-Investigator), Dr. Kylie Hartley (PI), Mahak Jain, Dr. Owen Percy.