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English

The Dais is Canada's platform for bold policies and better leaders. The Dais is a public policy and leadership think tank at Toronto Metropolitan University, working at the intersection of technology, education and democracy to build shared prosperity and citizenship for Canada.
Visit us at dais.ca.

Français

The Dais est une plateforme canadienne vouée à lélaboration de politiques audacieuses et au développement de meilleures et meilleurs leaders. Nous sommes un groupe de réflexion sur les politiques publiques et le leadership à lUniversité Toronto Metropolitan, et nous travaillons à lintersection de la technologie, de léducation et de la démocratie pour favoriser une prospérité et une citoyenneté partagées au Canada. Visitez dais.ca pour plus d'information.

Fact Sheet

About the Dais

The Dais (DAY-es) is a public policy and leadership think tank at Toronto Metropolitan University, working at the intersection of technology, education and democracy to build shared prosperity and citizenship for Canada. Our name means ‘raised platformʼ. A dais illuminates the people on it. It reminds us that real change only happens when we lift new voices and ideas.

Mission

Our mission is to transform how Canada approaches leadership and policy challenges, ensuring that technological advances and educational innovation contribute to a stronger, more cohesive democratic society. We seek to equip leaders and communities with the tools and knowledge they need to create lasting impact.

Executive Director

Karim Bardeesy
Karim.bardeesy@torontomu.ca

Key Focus Areas
  • Technology + Innovation: Growing a more inclusive economy and lasting prosperity through innovation, while harnessing technology responsibly.
  • Education + Skills: Ensuring that our education and training systems are equitably preparing Canadians to thrive in a changing world.
  • Democracy + Trust: Better equipping a broader set of leaders to advance positive policy change and rebuild trust in public institutions.
Signature Initiatives

Three activities to lead change on the issues that matter most.

  1. Dais Policy: Evidence-informed Insights
    Lead in-depth, applied policy research and analysis that informs and inspires action on the most urgent challenges facing Canada.
    Click here for our Dais policy research reports
  2. Dais Talks: Convening + community building
    Connect people to thousands of others who are working together to build a more
    inclusive, innovative and prosperous Canada.
    Click here for our event line-up.
  3. Dais Learning: Leadership development
    Equip leaders, and aspiring leaders, with the knowledge and skills they need to make policy change in their organizations, institutions and communities. We offer fellowships, masterclasses and microcredential programs.
    Click here for Dais learning offerings

Our policy and leadership team is available for expert commentary on policy issues concerning innovation and technology; democracy and trust; education and skills.
Click here for our full list of experts.

Dais in the Media

See our full list of media coverage under “In the News”

Contact Information

Media Contact:
Nina Rafeek Dow, Communications and Marketing Lead
nina.rafeek@torontomu.ca

The Dais
Toronto Metropolitan University
350 Victoria St, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3
Website: https://dais.ca
Email: info@dais.ca
Phone: +1 (416) 979-5000

Connect with Us
Twitter/X: @TheDais
LinkedIn: The Dais at TMU
Instagram: @TheDais

Expert List

Karim Bardeesy

Karim Bardeesy

Executive Director

kbardeesy@torontomu.ca

Expertise:
Democracy and democracy policy, Economy and economic policy, Education policy (especially post-secondary), Media and social media Skills policy

Read Bio
Sam Andrey

Sam Andrey

Managing Director (on leave)

sam.andrey@torontomu.ca

Expertise:
Technology policy, Disinformation and online harms, Artificial Intelligence regulation, Education policy

Read Bio
André Côté

André Côté

Director of Policy and Research

andre.cote@torontomu.ca

Expertise:
(Responsible) tech, digital government, cyber security, EdTech, Higher education and workforce policy

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Camara Chambers

Camara Chambers

Director of Leadership Development

c.chambers@torontomu.ca

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Rahel Appiagyei-David

Rahel Appiagyei-David

Leadership Development Facilitator (on leave)

rahelad@torontomu.ca

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Viet Vu

Viet Vu

Manager of Economic Research

viet.vu@torontomu.ca

Expertise:
Digital economy, Innovation, Labour market, Startups, Tech sector

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Graham Dobbs

Graham Dobbs

Senior Economist
graham.dobbs@torontomu.ca

Expertise:
Innovation Economy, Applied Labour Economics, Policy Analysis, Post-Secondary Education Policy

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Vivian Li

Vivian Li

Senior Economist

vv.li@torontomu.ca

Expertise:
Economic policy, Labour markets, Socioeconomics

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Angus Lockhart

Angus Lockhart

Senior Policy Analyst

alockhart@torontomu.ca

Expertise:
Policy impact in technology acceleration, Technology adoption (including AI), Technology in public and private sectors

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Tiffany Kwok

Tiffany Kwok

Policy Analyst

t1kwok@torontomu.ca

Expertise:
Mis/disinformation, Responsible tech, Tech policy, Cyber startup commercialization

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Christelle Tessono

Policy and Research Assistant

christelle.tessono@torontomu.ca

Expertise:
Technology policy, AI governance, platform governance, digital surveillance, gig work

Read Bio