Philip McRae, Ph.D.
Philip McRae, Ph.D.
Welcome
My name is Phil McRae and I am a Canadian educator, scholar, and interdisciplinary explorer in the field of education. I am regularly engaged in keynote addresses, public lectures, salon gatherings or on expert panels, across Alberta, throughout Canada and internationally. This site provides a biography and background to my research, writing, scholarship and upcoming presentations.
Keynote Address, Canadian National Forum on Public Education
Speaking Engagements
Switzerland
Vice-Chairman World Economic Forum,
Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Davos, Switzerland |
IcelandPresident of Iceland,
Guðni Thorlacius Jóhannesson Bessastaðir (Official Residence) |
Canada
Canada's First Female Prime Minister
Right Honourable Kim Campbell, P.C.; C.C.; K.C. - Canada's 19th PM |
Profile
Dr. Phil McRae is an internationally recognized thought leader and highly sought-after speaker known for his dynamic keynote addresses and insightful perspectives on education, school improvement, technology, and change.
With over three decades of experience in the field of education, Phil has held many positions: from teaching in K-12 schools to serving as a faculty member, coordinator and Director in higher education, and holding key leadership roles in government and the broader teaching profession. His wealth of knowledge and strategic foresight have made him a in-demand speaker at global events like the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, and the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) in Doha, Qatar, where he has inspired and captivated audiences.
Dr. McRae's distinguished career features appointments as Delegate to the United Nations (UN) International Labour Organization (ILO), where he contributed to shaping global discussions on the evolving dynamics of education and the future of work, and as Special Advisor on Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED) to the General Secretary of Education International (EI).
His expertise in societal change and the field of education has been sought after in many diverse provincial, national and global forums, from being a visiting speaker at Harvard University to working with those adjacent the field of education such as the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). Engagements include high level panels with the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., exploring the impact of screens on children's well-being, an AI Summit by invitation of Reuters in Silicon Valley, California, and keynote address for the Council of School Counsellors Conference in Kananaskis, Alberta, where he catalyzed a discussion on the promises and perils of employing artificial intelligence as a support system for student and staff mental health.
Dr. McRae's contributions to emerging research and public discussions on mega-trends, societal shifts, the future of education, and artificial intelligence systems all position him as a pivotal figure in shaping contemporary discourse on critical issues.
With over three decades of experience in the field of education, Phil has held many positions: from teaching in K-12 schools to serving as a faculty member, coordinator and Director in higher education, and holding key leadership roles in government and the broader teaching profession. His wealth of knowledge and strategic foresight have made him a in-demand speaker at global events like the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, and the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) in Doha, Qatar, where he has inspired and captivated audiences.
Dr. McRae's distinguished career features appointments as Delegate to the United Nations (UN) International Labour Organization (ILO), where he contributed to shaping global discussions on the evolving dynamics of education and the future of work, and as Special Advisor on Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED) to the General Secretary of Education International (EI).
His expertise in societal change and the field of education has been sought after in many diverse provincial, national and global forums, from being a visiting speaker at Harvard University to working with those adjacent the field of education such as the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). Engagements include high level panels with the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., exploring the impact of screens on children's well-being, an AI Summit by invitation of Reuters in Silicon Valley, California, and keynote address for the Council of School Counsellors Conference in Kananaskis, Alberta, where he catalyzed a discussion on the promises and perils of employing artificial intelligence as a support system for student and staff mental health.
Dr. McRae's contributions to emerging research and public discussions on mega-trends, societal shifts, the future of education, and artificial intelligence systems all position him as a pivotal figure in shaping contemporary discourse on critical issues.
Dominic Barton, Canadian Ambassador to China and former Global Managing Director of McKinsey & Company
2019 Public Lecture on Artificial Intelligence, Automation and the Future of Public Education
2019 Public Lecture on Artificial Intelligence, Automation and the Future of Public Education
Dr Michael Rich (Harvard Medical School)
Keynote Address, Council for School Leadership
Keynote Address, Council for School Leadership
Margaret Atwood, Legendary Canadian author and Literary Icon
Public Lecture on Democracy, Public Education and the Common Good
Public Lecture on Democracy, Public Education and the Common Good
Sir Tim Berners-Lee, Inventor of the World Wide Web, Breakfast Summit, January 2025
Singapore Youth Forum
Alongside the Chief Digital Officer at Google
Alongside the Chief Digital Officer at Google
Keynote Address Rotterdam, Netherlands
Biography
Dr. Philip McRae is Executive Staff Officer and Associate Coordinator, Government-Research with the Alberta Teachers’ Association, as well as Adjunct Professor within the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta, where he earned his Ph.D.
Phil has received several distinctions, including the Alberta Excellence in Teaching Finalist Award, the Queen Elizabeth II Doctoral Scholar Award from the University of Alberta, the Minister of Education's Innovation Award, the ATA Provincial Education Research Award, and by induction into the University of Lethbridge Alumni Honour Society.
As part of his role, Dr. McRae coordinates the research activities for 50,000 teachers in the province of Alberta, Canada; facilitates strategic foresight and planning for the profession of teaching; and liaises with local, national and international research communities and experts on a variety of education issues.
McRae has worked in many secondary and post-secondary educational contexts while living and teaching in the Middle East (United Arab Emirates), Asia (Japan), Europe (Spain), and in Alberta, Canada with the Lethbridge Public School District and at Red Crow College with the Blood Tribe (Kainai First Nation). The Indigenous Blackfoot people honoured him with the name Áípapomm, which means lightning.
Phil has received several distinctions, including the Alberta Excellence in Teaching Finalist Award, the Queen Elizabeth II Doctoral Scholar Award from the University of Alberta, the Minister of Education's Innovation Award, the ATA Provincial Education Research Award, and by induction into the University of Lethbridge Alumni Honour Society.
As part of his role, Dr. McRae coordinates the research activities for 50,000 teachers in the province of Alberta, Canada; facilitates strategic foresight and planning for the profession of teaching; and liaises with local, national and international research communities and experts on a variety of education issues.
McRae has worked in many secondary and post-secondary educational contexts while living and teaching in the Middle East (United Arab Emirates), Asia (Japan), Europe (Spain), and in Alberta, Canada with the Lethbridge Public School District and at Red Crow College with the Blood Tribe (Kainai First Nation). The Indigenous Blackfoot people honoured him with the name Áípapomm, which means lightning.
Blackfoot Naming Ceremony: Receiving the Name Áípapomm ("Lightning")
With Piitaikihsipimii (Mr Louis Soop - Spotted Eagle)
Kainai First Nation, Spring 1995
With Piitaikihsipimii (Mr Louis Soop - Spotted Eagle)
Kainai First Nation, Spring 1995
Fareed Zakaria (Journalist and Author)
World Economic Forum 2024 |
Mustafa Suleyman, C.B.E. CEO of Microsoft AI
(Co-Founder Google Deepmind & Inflection AI) World Economic Forum 2024 |
Keynote Address
"Be Balanced, Be Mindful, Be Present"
Ottawa, Canada
"Be Balanced, Be Mindful, Be Present"
Ottawa, Canada
Publications & Projects
In my presentations and writing I often ask audiences to engage with different perspectives on emerging technologies, dimensions of educational leadership, changing landscapes of education systems, and/or the informed transformation of teaching and learning around the world. Below are some links to various publications.
Artificial Intelligence in K-12 Education in Alberta: Trust, (in)Equity, Need for Guidance
ATA News Article - February 2024
Slow, Constant Erosion: The pandemic's effect on the mental health of Alberta Children
Alberta Views Magazine Feature Article - June 2022
The Pandemic Pulse: Rapid Research Evidence on COVID-19 Impacts Across Alberta K-12 Schools
2019 to 2022 Random Stratified Research Studies within Alberta Schools During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic
Artificial Intelligence, Automation and the Future of Public Education
A 2019 public lecture and discussion in partnership with Canada's Ambassador to China on the potential impacts of artificial intelligence and automation.
We The Educators - WeTheEducators.com
An international initiative designed to stimulate a rich public dialogue, and greater professional scrutiny, to the datafication of education systems & the (de)personalization, privatization & standardization of student learning.
Growing Up Digital (GUD) Alberta Preliminary Data (2016) and Summary Infographic (2016)
Joint initiative of Harvard Medical School, Alberta Teachers' Association & University of Alberta researchers
Decades Long Study to Follow Alberta Students' Tech Habits and Consequences (2016)
Edmonton Journal Article
The Future of the Principalship in Canada: National Research Study (2014)
Joint research project of the Alberta Teachers' Association and the Canadian Association of Principals
Growing Up Digital (GUD): Groundbreaking Harvard/Alberta Study to Follow Alberta Children (2014)
Editorial Calgary Herald
ATA News Article - February 2024
Slow, Constant Erosion: The pandemic's effect on the mental health of Alberta Children
Alberta Views Magazine Feature Article - June 2022
The Pandemic Pulse: Rapid Research Evidence on COVID-19 Impacts Across Alberta K-12 Schools
2019 to 2022 Random Stratified Research Studies within Alberta Schools During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic
Artificial Intelligence, Automation and the Future of Public Education
A 2019 public lecture and discussion in partnership with Canada's Ambassador to China on the potential impacts of artificial intelligence and automation.
We The Educators - WeTheEducators.com
An international initiative designed to stimulate a rich public dialogue, and greater professional scrutiny, to the datafication of education systems & the (de)personalization, privatization & standardization of student learning.
Growing Up Digital (GUD) Alberta Preliminary Data (2016) and Summary Infographic (2016)
Joint initiative of Harvard Medical School, Alberta Teachers' Association & University of Alberta researchers
Decades Long Study to Follow Alberta Students' Tech Habits and Consequences (2016)
Edmonton Journal Article
The Future of the Principalship in Canada: National Research Study (2014)
Joint research project of the Alberta Teachers' Association and the Canadian Association of Principals
Growing Up Digital (GUD): Groundbreaking Harvard/Alberta Study to Follow Alberta Children (2014)
Editorial Calgary Herald
Rethinking School Leadership: Creating A Great School for All
Book Chapter: Chapter 7 Perspectives, Provocations and Actions
Promise and Peril: The Impact of Technology on Children, Schools and Communities
Invitational Research Colloquium
Argumentum Ad Infinitum: The Complex Nature of "Echoing Voices" on the Internet
Published and Presented Internationally (January 2007)
The Politics of Personalization in the 21st Century
ATA Magazine October 2010 (Volume 91 No. 1)
Impact of Digital Technologies on Teachers Working in Flexible Environments
Large Scale Provincial Research Study May 2011
Forecasting the Future Over Three Horizons of Technological Change
Media Awareness Network of Canada National Press Kit 2011
Essential Practices that Sustain School Improvement
ATA Magazine June 2011 (Volume 91 No. 4)
Book Chapter: Chapter 7 Perspectives, Provocations and Actions
Promise and Peril: The Impact of Technology on Children, Schools and Communities
Invitational Research Colloquium
Argumentum Ad Infinitum: The Complex Nature of "Echoing Voices" on the Internet
Published and Presented Internationally (January 2007)
The Politics of Personalization in the 21st Century
ATA Magazine October 2010 (Volume 91 No. 1)
Impact of Digital Technologies on Teachers Working in Flexible Environments
Large Scale Provincial Research Study May 2011
Forecasting the Future Over Three Horizons of Technological Change
Media Awareness Network of Canada National Press Kit 2011
Essential Practices that Sustain School Improvement
ATA Magazine June 2011 (Volume 91 No. 4)
Growing up on the ranch in Alberta, Canada
|
Supporting Early Childhood Education for the Court of the Crown Prince in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.)
|