Jeff was the R.F. Harney Professor of Ethnic, Immigration and Pluralism Studies, and Director of the R.F. Harney Program, for the period 1999-2020. The Robert F. Harney Professorship and Program in Ethnic, Immigration, and Pluralism Studies at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy supports and promotes interdisciplinary research and teaching on ethnic diversity and interethnic group relations in Canadian society in a comparative context. Its purpose is to develop graduate programs in the study of ethnicity, and to involve faculty, professionals, and students from various disciplines. Expertise in the study of ethnicity is greatly valued by social agencies, consulting firms, hospitals, civic organizations, and other institutions that deal with issues that include: immigration and immigrant adjustment, Indigenous Peoples, race and race relations, attitudes towards diverse cultures, minority group conflicts, and cultural diversity policies.
The Harney Program is responsible for the Collaborative Graduate Specialization in Ethnic and Pluralism Studies, which facilitates interdisciplinary studies for students across a range of social science disciplines and related professional fields. During his tenure as Harney Professor, Jeff expanded the number of disciplines and professional programs participating in the graduate specialization, continued the Harney Lecture Series and established an Annual Graduate Research Conference which was held for 13 years, and founded the Global Migration Research Institute as an on-line magazine featuring the work of University of Toronto faculty specializing in the field. In 2001 he brought the Program into the Munk School for Global Affairs and Public Policy, recognizing the subject of ethnic, immigration and pluralism studies as a fundamental feature of global affairs, and focusing attention on the policy challenges it presents.
This archive contains information from the Harney Program website maintained during the years of Prof. Reitz’ tenures as Harney Chair. There are pages devoted to:
- Harney Lecture Series and Events
- Graduate Research Conferences
- Collaborative Graduate Specialization
- Global Migration Research Institute
- Annual Reports
During Jeff’s period as Harney Professor, the Program was fortunate to have two outstanding Program Administrators: Elizabeth Thompson, who served from 1999-2009, and Momo Kano Podolsky, who served from 2009-2020. Elizabeth, who has a Ph.D. in English, has continued to provide excellent services to the program as a professional editor (you may contact her at thompson@interware.net). Momo was the inspiration behind the Graduate Research Conference in Ethnicity, which was held annually from 2008 to 2020. On her retirement, Momo was presented with a booklet of tribute from the Director and many students expressing their appreciation for her inspired contributions to the program.
Beginning in January 2021, the Harney Professorship has been held by Prof. Ayelet Shachar; please find the new program website here.
Jeffrey G. Reitz 