Detailed Summary of Kevin Wainwright’s Biography and CV

 

 1. Introduction

Dr. Kevin Wainwright, PhD 

A distinguished academic, researcher, and administrator with over 30 years of experience in economics, education, and veteran support. Known for leadership roles and innovative educational initiatives, Dr. Wainwright's career includes key roles as Associate Dean at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), previous positions at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), and a longstanding professorship at Simon Fraser University (SFU).

 

 

2. Key Professional Contributions

2.1. Military Skills Conversion and Veteran Education Initiatives

Legion Military Skills Conversion Program (2010) 

- Purpose: Funded by a $240,000 grant from the Royal Canadian Legion, this program assists Canadian veterans by granting academic credits based on their military training. 

- Achievements: Over 400 soldiers have benefitted, receiving advanced placement for military experience, aiding their transition into civilian education. 

- Impact: Dr. Wainwright presented the program’s success to Canada’s Senate Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs in 2012, advocating for the expansion of veteran education support. 

 

National Advanced Placement & Prior Learning (N-APPL) Project (2015) 

- Purpose: A national extension of the BCIT model, funded by an $833,000 grant from Canada’s Ministry of Employment and Social Development. 

- Function: N-APPL evaluates military training to provide academic credit across Canada’s post-secondary institutions, saving veterans time and resources. 

- Growth: By 2020, 27 Canadian institutions participated, establishing a standardized approach to credit recognition for military experience.

 

 2.2. Academic Leadership and Faculty Contributions

 

University of the Fraser Valley (2023 – Present) 

- Role: Associate Dean, Faculty of Business and Computing. 

- Responsibilities: Oversees program development, faculty support, and aligns offerings with current industry standards, enhancing the UFV business and computing departments’ relevance and quality.

 

Simon Fraser University (2007 – Present) 

- Position: Professor in Economics. 

- Teaching and Curriculum Development: Specializes in microeconomic theory, environmental economics, and industrial organization. 

- Thesis Supervision: Guides graduate research, contributing to the academic and professional growth of SFU students.

 

British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT, 1994 – 2022) 

- Associate Dean, School of Business and Media (2017 – 2022): Managed budgets and faculty, supported program delivery, and contributed to the Broadcast Centre’s expansion. 

- Director, SITE Centre of Excellence (2015-2022): Led research on human capital, labor markets, and Indigenous partnerships. Focused on high-impact projects like veteran and first-responder pathways and studies on BC’s labor market. 

- President and Executive Director, BCIT Faculty and Staff Association (FSA, 2000 – 2005): Enhanced government relations, advocated for faculty rights, and improved professional development within BC’s educational landscape.

 

 

3. Applied Research and Policy Studies

 

Dr. Wainwright’s applied research has influenced policy and institutional decision-making, spanning economic impact studies, feasibility assessments, and environmental economic research.

 

Economic Impact Studies for BCIT 

- Conducted in 2004, 2007, 2010, 2015, 2017, and 2020.  Purpose: To assess BCIT's economic contributions to British Columbia, supporting strategic institutional decisions and funding initiatives.

 

Feasibility Study on Short Sea Shipping on the Fraser River (2007) 

- Commissioned by: Port of Vancouver. 

- Scope: Analyzed the potential for short sea shipping to improve regional transportation, providing insights for economic and transportation policy.

 

BC Carbon Tax Analysis (2008) 

- Objective: Evaluated a carbon offset program for Boundary Bay Airport, assessing the feasibility and economic impact of environmental policies on regional economies.

 

4. Publications and Notable Academic Works

 

Dr. Wainwright’s work is recognized for its contributions to mathematical economics, environmental regulation, franchise management, and education policy.

 

Textbook 

- Fundamental Methods of Mathematical Economics (4th Edition, with Alpha C. Chiang): This textbook is a foundational text in economics, widely used for integrating mathematics into economic theory and applied in undergraduate and graduate courses.

 

Selected Research Articles 

- "The Tyranny of Chronological Age: Relative Age Effects in Sports and Education" (2007): Analyzes how age affects cohort performance in sports and education, impacting competitive and academic outcomes. 

- "Environmental Regulation, Asymmetric Information, and Moral Hazard" (1999): Examines challenges in regulatory compliance under conditions of information asymmetry, offering insights into environmental economic policy. 

- "Dogs of War: The Strategic Use of Legal Services in the Tort System" (2017): Investigates economic implications of strategic legal actions within tort law, published in the International Journal of Business and Economic Perspectives.

 

 5. Contributions to Veteran Education and Workforce Integration

 

Dr. Wainwright is a recognized advocate for veteran education, developing programs to support military personnel in transitioning to civilian academic and professional settings.

 

- Senate Testimony on Veteran Education (2012): Advocated for national credit recognition standards for military training in a presentation to the Canadian Senate. 

- Innovative Assessment Tools: Developed assessment tools focused on learning outcomes, promoting the recognition of non-traditional educational experiences.

 

 6. Summary of Achievements and Legacy

 

Dr. Wainwright has significantly influenced Canadian education, veteran support, and policy research.

His legacy includes developing pathways for veterans in education, supporting BCIT’s economic role, and advocating for inclusive educational systems that recognize diverse backgrounds and experiences.

 

 7. Papers and Publications

 

Books 

- Fundamental Methods of Mathematical Economics (4th Edition, with Alpha C. Chiang)

 

Research Articles 

1. "Environmental Regulation, Asymmetric Information, and Moral Hazard" (1999)

2. "The Tyranny of Chronological Age" (2007)

3. "Dual Organizational Structures in Franchise Industries" (2007)

4. "Dogs of War: The Strategic Use of Legal Services in the Tort System" (2017)

5. "The Economic and Social Impact of Covid-19 on British Columbia" (2022)

 

Articles on Veteran Transition

1. "Alternative Approach to Assessing Military Training for Advanced Placement into Engineering and Technology Programs" (2011): In collaboration with B.E. Endicott-Popovsky and S.A. Rajala

2. “Reservist Re-entry Program: Case Study” (2012): Published in ACEA Papers and Proceedings, examining re-entry programs for military reservists.

3.  "The Reservist Re-Entry Program: An Alternative Approach to Prior Learning Assessment and Advanced Placement in Academic and Vocational Programs for Canadian Soldiers"  (2012):

4. "An Alternative Approach to Prior Learning and Advanced Placement in Post-Secondary Programs for Veterans: The Canadian Experience" (2015): Co-authored with A. Fell and S. Dhaliwal,

 

Notable Studies 

1. Feasibility Study on Short Sea Shipping on the Fraser River (2007)

2. BC Carbon Tax Analysis at Boundary Bay Airport (2008)