I’m pleased to announce the appointment of David Dexter as Associate Director of Sheridan’s Screen Industries Research and Training Centre. David will continue to report directly to John Helliker, Dean, Innovation and Engagement. In his new role, David will take on increased responsibility for strategic leadership and direction of SIRT’s research activities and partnerships to ensure they drive compelling value to students, exceptional growth opportunities for faculty, and substantive economic and social benefits to industry and the community. David will continue to have responsibility for operational management of SIRT as in his former position as Senior Manager, SIRT Operations and Business Development.
SIRT is one of five research centres created in areas of strategic importance to the college that help to raise Sheridan’s profile as a globally recognized research and innovation hub. Originally established in 2010 to support applied research in the areas of digital cinema and virtual production for film, television and gaming, SIRT has over the last two years significantly enhanced its innovation support activities to meet the growing demand for research and development of virtual and augmented reality technologies and applications. In the last year alone it has supported over 25 companies in the virtual reality area, establishing itself as a leading innovation support centre for research and development into immersive technologies and content development. Last year also saw the commercialization of SirtNet, a four-year research project involving fifteen companies that provides film and television sector production and postproduction companies with a unique remote collaboration platform. David played a key role in both these achievements.
Please join me in congratulating David on his appointment. I wish him every success in further enhancing Sheridan’s reputation for excellence in research and development of screen-based technologies and applications.
Brian Jervis
Vice Provost, Research