Ken Brien

Ken Brien is the Acting Associate Dean of Graduate Programs in the Faculty of Education at the University of New Brunswick. He holds an EdD from the University of Alberta and has extensive experience in educational leadership, policy, and law. His research focuses on educational governance, professional learning communities, and principals' roles in schools. He has served in leadership roles within the Canadian Association for the Study of Educational Administration (CASEA) and the Commonwealth Council for Educational Administration and Management (CCEAM), including terms as President. Brien teaches courses such as ED 5070 (Cultural Contexts of Education) and ED 6014 (Secondary School Administration), and has supervised numerous graduate students. His work bridges legal frameworks, policy analysis, and practical educational reform, with a focus on systemic change and leadership development.

Education Background:

• BA, BEd, University of Western Ontario
• MEd, University of New Brunswick
• EdD, University of Alberta
• LL.M., York University

Research Interests: Brien’s work addresses legal and policy challenges in education, including cyberbullying, disciplinary alternatives, and parental involvement. He has contributed to developing assessment tools for professional learning communities and has explored innovative approaches to distance education. His research emphasizes the intersection of law, policy, and practical leadership in schools, with a focus on fostering equitable and effective educational systems.

Professional Contributions:

• Supervised 9 PhD students and 2 MEd thesis students by July 2024
• External examiner for 29 doctoral dissertations and 2 MEd theses
• Reviewer for journals, grant applications, and conference proposals

Labs/Teams: Active in collaborative research initiatives within the Faculty of Education, focusing on organizational change and educational leadership. He contributes to provincial and national education policy discussions through his advisory roles.