Chris Pickles appointed Acting Manager of Communications

Starting January 27, 2025, Chris Pickles will be taking up my role as the acting manager of communications for Social Sciences. Since it’s incredibly uncomfortable to interview yourself, I asked our faithful newsletter editor if I could turn the tables and ask him the questions, as my final article for Social Sciences.

Chris, over the past couple of years, I’ve had the privilege of working with you and learning some of your story. Could you share with our colleagues a bit about your background and how you came to be at McMaster?

Thanks, Erin! And I’d just like to start off by saying how much we’ll miss you here in the faculty. It was a pleasure to work with you, and I’m sure you’ll do amazing things at Redeemer!

Born and raised in the moorlands of northern England, my professional career started in Amsterdam, working for the University of Liverpool’s online programs as an Academic Advisor. After backpacking around Africa for six months, I followed my dream of becoming a journalist. I was a reporter for one of the biggest news networks in the UK before I moved to Canada, where I worked for Metroland on their weekly Niagara paper.

When I found out about this job, I knew it was for me. It’s the perfect mix of my professional interests: higher education and journalism. I’ve really enjoyed the past two years and excited for what’s to come!

When you think about the stories you’ve written during your time at McMaster, which ones stand out as your favourites to write? 

I love talking to students and faculty about the research that they’re working on. From public banks to reconciliation, it’s clear that we do world-class research here, and it’s a pleasure to talk to researchers and write about their work. If I had to drill down further, I’d say it’s the human angles: why researchers are passionate about their subjects. Human stories are the ones that we’re drawn to most, so they’re the ones I love to tell.

You joined the Social Sciences communications team in January 2023. What has surprised you most about McMaster? 

Probably how beautiful campus is! I live in St Catharines and didn’t know too much about Hamilton so was very pleasantly surprised by campus and its environs. When the weather’s nice, you might see me running the trails through Cootes Paradise and along the water to Bayfront.

And maybe it’s not a surprise, but I love being on campus. The energy is invigorating and it’s always fantastic to bump into colleagues or students who are working on something cool I didn’t know about. It makes the drive along the QEW worth it.

It’s a new year that is poised to be full of shifting leadership and priorities. What stories are you most looking forward to covering in 2025? 

It’s an interesting time in the faculty and we have lots of exciting initiatives to talk about. The new planned co-op streams will strengthen our commitment to student employability. The new Housing stream in the MPP will help us play our role in tackling the housing crisis. The Public Banking Project will drive the conversation around the role of public finance in tackling global issues. But I’m excited to hear about all our stories from across the faculty. So please, faculty friends, tell me your stories!

What’s one thing you learned as a communications specialist that you’ll carry into your new acting role? 

During my time here, I’ve had the pleasure of working with just about every department, school and unit, learning about the rich tapestry of our faculty. It’s those relationships, along with those I’ve fostered with our friends in central communications, that I look forward to building upon.  We have some exciting things planned that I can’t wait to share with you. Watch this space!

Since it’s the January issue, what is on your vision board for 2025? 

Aside from writing more stories about our amazing faculty, I’m hoping to overcome injury and run Around the Bay in March (and complete the Triple Crown of Toronto Marathon, Niagara Marathon and Around the Bay). And to bowl a 300 in our bowling league. If I manifest it, it will happen.