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We’re pleased to bring you another installment in our ongoing Instructor Spotlight series. On this occasion, we’re delighted to celebrate the career and contributions of Bob Doherty from our Local Government program. We’re very grateful to him, as he took the time to answer these questions:

1) How long have you been in the field of Information and Privacy? 

I’ve been in the field for thirty years.  I started out as a Freedom of Information (FOI) Administrator, processing Freedom of Information Applications received by the government department I was working for at the time.  In December 1996, I was appointed Information Access and Privacy Director for the Nova Scotia Government. For more than 10 years, I was responsible for advising on legislation, best practices, training, amendments, etc. I also guided the FOI Administrators in Provincial Government Departments, Agencies, Boards, and Commissions. In March 2007, I retired from the Provincial Government after 26 years of service. The first 15+ years were as executive director with the Nova Scotia Department of Economic Development, a negotiator of Federal/Provincial Agreements and a trade negotiator (one of two principal advisors for the Province on the Canada/U.S. Free Trade Agreement). In the fall of 2007, I began work as an information access and privacy consultant/lawyer. I also continued teaching both at Mount St. Vincent University and Dal’s College of Continuing Education (now known as the Faculty of Open Learning & Career Development), which I continue enjoying to this day.

2) What has been the biggest change in your field in recent years? 

Privacy protection of personal information has become an even more significant part of my work in the information access and privacy landscape, mostly due to the privacy issues arising from the use of electronic databases and the internet.

3) What’s the most surprising thing we might see on your resume/CV?

I was a sportswriter, broadcaster and correspondent for the Chronicle Herald while I was in university. I managed to parlay that into a fellowship to Boston University’s Masters Degree Program in Broadcasting at its School of Communications. I was also Director of Information and Public Relations at St. Francis Xavier University (St. F.X.) for five years after serving in the U.S. military in Korea during the Vietnam War era. Even with all of that as an eclectic career beginning, there are two more surprising things on the resume. First, I made a 180-degree turn in 1977 when I went back to school at the age of 33 to pursue a law degree at Dal. I graduated in 1980 and went on to work for the provincial government.  The second surprising thing would be being a co-author of a book on the legendary St. F.X. basketball Coach Steve Konchalski’s 25-year coaching anniversary and two national championships, as well as a second writing career working on travel and sports genealogy stories for the Chronicle Herald and Cape Breton Post.

4) How do you unwind?

Probably with my three favorite pastimes – fly fishing, golf, and photography when I can.

5) What's the best aspect of teaching with the Faculty?

In hindsight, I wish I had discovered my passion for teaching when I was younger. I find it so fulfilling to guide students and see how I have made their professional work in the field of information access and privacy better with improved problem-solving skills, structure and practical advice.  This has made my relationship with the Faculty so enjoyable.

Bob is the instructor of the online course/workshop, which starts in September.  See how you can reap the benefit of his years of wisdom and experience and earn a microcredential in Information Access and Privacy Problem Solving.