Joel Murphy is an educator and researcher who moves through life and academia with a never-ending curiosity and desire to help others. An exemplary student and community member, Joel will graduate with his PhD in Education this fall.
Joel’s PhD dissertation and current work as a Manager of Trend Research and Analysis at Acadia Divinity Collage focus on futures studies and the intentionality of education systems through community-based research and partnerships. With a goal to bridge academia with community approaches, Joel sits at the intersection of organizational development, future thinking, and community and faith-based organizations. He actively shares his work through conferences and involvement with various organizations allowing others to learn from his efforts, and for him to learn from theirs.
Joel has previously served as the Board Chair of the Portal Youth Outreach Association, a Board Member for Heartwood Centre for Youth Engagement, a member of the Society for Research on Adolescence: Emerging Scholar Committee, and currently sits on the Advocacy and Community Engagement Committee for CERIC – all commitments that are reflective of his true passion for community.
With past work experience as a Student Engagement Coordinator, manager of a youth leadership program, and Director of Youth Leadership Camps Canada, in combination with a new PhD, Joel is a selfless force that never stops benefiting our community.
Joel will deliver his valedictory address during the fall 2025 convocation on Sunday, October 19 at 2 p.m. You can watch the ceremony via MSVU’s Facebook and YouTube pages.
We asked Joel to tell us more about his time at MSVU and what’s next for him. Read on to learn more about Joel.
Hometown: Winnipeg, MB
Degree being awarded: PhD in Educational Studies
Who are your academic and research mentors (either at MSVU or beyond)?
There are several people who have profoundly shaped my journey. My supervisor, Dr. Kristia Ritchie is at the top of that list. Her patience, intentionality, and support both for my scholarly work and also for me as a human were extraordinary. My committee — Dr. Jeff Landine (UNB), Dr. Conor Baker (MSVU), and Dr. Adam Perry (StFX) — were all mentors and demonstrated the type of scholar I hope to be.
Finally, Paulo Freire has long been a mentor to me through his writing; his insistence that education is never neutral and his vision for education as a practice of freedom deeply inform how I think about learning, teaching, and leadership.
What class, professor, project or learning activity held the most meaning for you? Why?
For me, the most meaningful learning didn’t come from a single class, but from a posture of learning that developed over time. Throughout this program, I came to see the importance of continuity, transparency, and deep reflexivity. These are not just academic principles, but ways of being in relationship with others.
Much of my doctoral work involved holding space for uncertainty, complexity, and hope. I learned that good education, like good research, is relational. It grows out of listening, care, and humility. The most transformative part of this journey has been learning how to stay curious in the face of the unknown.
Do you have any advice for current students or people considering going to MSVU?
Lean into the relational nature of this place. MSVU is not a large university, but that is its strength. You can really get to know your professors, peers, and mentors. Take advantage of that.
Ask questions, be open to critique, and let yourself be shaped by the process. Post-secondary education isn’t only about gaining expertise; it’s about cultivating wisdom and learning how to hold your convictions with both confidence and humility. And when things feel overwhelming (and they will), remember that you are not alone, there are supports available.
Do you have any favourite stories about your time at MSVU?
One of my most meaningful memories from my time at MSVU is how I experienced genuine advocacy and care from people across the institution. As I approached the end of my program, there were several individuals (faculty and staff) who worked behind the scenes to ensure that I was able to complete my program and graduate.
Their willingness to be flexible, to communicate clearly, and to approach challenges with understanding was appreciated and encouraging. It demonstrates that MSVU’s commitment to relational education isn’t just theoretical.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
As someone who struggled with reading until grade five and never considered himself particularly “academic,” completing this PhD is a profound source of pride. It represents both a personal milestone and a shared accomplishment. This journey reflects the investment of many people (family, mentors, and colleagues) who believed in the work and in me, often before I fully believed in myself.
What does being named valedictorian mean to you?
It is an incredible honour and deeply humbling. Being named valedictorian at MSVU feels less like a recognition of personal success and more like a reflection of the communities and relationships that have shaped me.
This recognition feels affirming in many ways, but ultimately, it is a privilege to represent a graduating class filled with people who care deeply about the world, who think critically, and who act compassionately.
What’s next for you?
I plan to continue my work at Acadia University, focusing on the intersection of education, futures studies, and religious and community-based organizations. My hope is to help educators and leaders think critically and creatively about how we prepare for what’s ahead.
My ongoing focus is on cultivating imagination, adaptability, and wisdom within systems that are themselves undergoing rapid change. I want to continue exploring (through both scholarship and collaboration) how we can design educational spaces that nurture curiosity, courage, and care — spaces where we can intentionally and collectively ask not only what comes next, but what kind of future we want to create together.