Vice-president (Grenfell Campus)

B.Mus. (Hons) (Memorial)
M.Mus. (Memorial)
Ph.D. (Exeter)

sutherland@grenfell.mun.ca
Room: AS269 (Grenfell Campus)
(709) 639-2545

A globally active academic, Dr. Ian Sutherland (he/they) has worked as an academic leader, educator, researcher and consultant, delivering courses, workshops, seminars and lectures in more than 40 countries worldwide. Combining expertise in sociology, philosophy, leadership, creativity, and musical studies, he is recognized as an expert at the intersections of arts, business, and leadership. Identifying as queer, Ian is deeply committed to enabling 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and community and all equity deserving groups, particularly in the sphere of leadership.

Dr. Sutherland’s research is wide-ranging, including studies on leadership development, the aesthetics of power (he was awarded Outstanding Article of the Year by the Academy of Management Learning & Education in 2016), the social dimensions of creative processes, and socio-political dynamics of early 20th-century musical creation in Europe. He is a co-founding editor of the journal Music and Arts in Action and the author/co-author of articles appearing in Academy of Management Learning & Education; Academy of Management Review; Management Learning; Business Leadership Review; Journal of Arts Management, Law and Society; Journal of Visual Art Practice; Music and Arts in Action; and Emotion Review. He is co-author of Key Concepts in Leadership (Sage, 2012).

In a career woven through diverse and interdisciplinary work around the world, Dr. Sutherland has been privileged to hold a variety of appointments in Canada, the United Kingdom, Poland, Germany, and Slovenia. Past leadership roles have included: Associate Dean (Research) & Director of Doctoral Studies IEDC-Bled School of Management, Slovenia; Dean, School of Music, Memorial University.

Ian was among the 2019 honourees of Canada's Top 40 Under 40, an annual program that recognizes Canadian influencers for their exceptional achievements. He received his B.Mus. (Hons.) and M.Mus. degrees from Memorial before completing his PhD in sociology and philosophy at the University of Exeter in the U.K.

Ian served as the Dean of the School of Music from 2016 to 2021.