Kristopher Wells (born October 7, 1971)[1][2] is a Canadian politician and academic serving as a senator from Alberta since 2024. He is also an associate professor at MacEwan University and the editor-in-chief of the international Journal of LGBT Youth.
Kristopher Wells | |
|---|---|
| Senator of Canada from Alberta | |
| Assumed office August 31, 2024 | |
| Nominated by | Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau |
| Appointed by | Governor General of Canada Mary Simon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 7, 1971 |
| Political party | Non-affiliated |
| Alma mater | University of Alberta |
| Profession | Academic |
Wells is the first openly gay man to serve as a senator from Alberta and the sixth openly LGBT person to serve in the Senate.
Education
editWells has earned three degrees from the University of Alberta: a Bachelor of Education, a Master of Education, and a Doctor of Philosophy.[3][4]
Academic career
editWells was a public school teacher in St. Albert, Alberta. He then worked as a diversity consultant for Edmonton Public Schools, where he helped develop the first sexual and gender identity school board policy in Western Canada.[5]
From 2012 to 2018, he worked at the University of Alberta as an assistant professor and as the faculty director of the Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services.[3] In 2018, he was appointed MacEwan University's first Canada Research Chair and was the founding director of the MacEwan Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity.[5][6] Wells has served on various committees in Alberta, including the Society for Safe and Caring Schools and Communities, REACH Edmonton, the Alberta Hate Crimes Committee, the Edmonton Police Chief's Community Advisory Council, and the LGBTQ2+ National Monument Committee.[7] He has been a critic of the Alberta government's plan to require parental consent before children under 16 can change their names or preferred gender pronouns in schools.[7]
Wells is the co-creator of Pride Tape, a campaign that encouraged NHL hockey players to use rainbow-patterned hockey tape on their sticks as a way of showing support for LGBTQ rights.[8]
As of 2024[update], Wells is an associate professor in the Department of Child and Youth Care, part of the Faculty of Health and Community Studies at MacEwan University. He holds the Canada Research Chair (Tier II) for the Public Understanding of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth and serves as the founding director for the MacEwan Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity.[9][5] His academic work specializes in sexual- and gender-minority youth, education, and culture. He is the editor-in-chief of the international Journal of LGBT Youth.[10]
Political career
editWells was appointed to the Senate of Canada on August 31, 2024. He was recommended by the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments and appointed by Governor General of Canada Mary Simon on the advice of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.[5]
The appointments of Wells and Daryl Fridhandler as senators from Alberta were criticized by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith for ignoring the results of the province's unofficial Senate nominee election.[8]
Honours
editWells is a recipient of the Alberta Centennial Medal, the Alberta Award for Study of Canadian Human Rights and Multiculturalism, the Alberta Teachers' Association's Public Education Award, and the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.[11][5] In 2015, Wells received the University of Alberta Alumni Horizon Award.[12][13]
References
edit- ^ "Mr. GayCalgary October 2014 Dr. Kristopher Wells". GayCalgary Magazine - October 2014. GayCalgary Magazine. October 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
- ^ "Wells, Kristopher, 1971-..." Virtual International Authority File. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
- ^ a b "Dr. Kristopher Wells". Prime Minister of Canada. Prime Minister's Office. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ Murray, Nick (Aug 31, 2024). "Prime minister unveils 2 Senate appointments for Alberta, including prominent Liberal donor". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
- ^ a b c d e "St. Albert's Kristopher Wells named to Senate". St. Albert Gazette. August 31, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ "Profile". MacEwan University. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
- ^ a b Melgar, Alejandro (August 31, 2024). "Smith accuses Trudeau of naming 'left-wing partisan' Albertans to Canadian Senate". CityNews. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ a b "Smith accuses Ottawa of ignoring Alberta's interests with Albertan senate picks". CTV News. August 31, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ "Dr. Kristopher Wells". MacEwan University. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
- ^ "Editorial Board - Journal of LGBT Youth". Retrieved September 23, 2024.
- ^ "Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal (Alberta) Recipients 2022" (PDF). Retrieved September 23, 2024.
- ^ "Alumni Recognition Awards | Faculty of Education". www.ualberta.ca. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
- ^ "University of Alberta Alumni Awards Announcement" (PDF). Retrieved September 23, 2024.