Robert Wright, a landscape architect and former Dean of the University of Toronto's Faculty of Forestry, has been selected as the interim dean for the school's John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design. Wright is set to take over for Richard M. Sommer, the current dean who has held the position since 2009.

Wright is tasked with leading the department through the coming school year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the university reports. In taking up the interim dean position, Wright will also facilitate the department's efforts restart the selection process for a replacement for Sommer. The search for Sommer's replacement had to be paused, the school reports, due to the COVID-19 situation. 

Wright has been a member of the Daniels Faculty since 1986 and has led a variety of initiatives at the school over the years, including its Master of Landscape Architecture program and the University of Toronto's Knowledge Media Design Institute. As stated previously, Wright was dean of the school's Forestry unit prior to it being absorbed into the Daniels Faculty in 2019.

Wright also leads landscape practice IZ Design Studio, is a full member of the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA), and serves as a Fellow of the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA).

“We have been coordinating with U of T’s many resources that are dedicated to maintaining our high level of academic excellence while ensuring student safety and providing an outstanding student experience during this time," Wright explains, adding, "At Daniels, we have already been transitioning to hybrid models of learning including online platforms. Our community is resourceful and resilient adapting these new modes of teaching to our studio culture and even producing PPE for our frontline workers. I will commit my energy to supporting those who are already leading the charge. We will continue to be a leader in educating new designers, artists and foresters who will have to take on these emerging new design challenges.”

Wright is set to take up his new post on July 1, 2020.