History meets technology
Trained as a historian, Kee challenged conventional teaching methods by developing digital simulations and games that brought historical learning to life. Early on, he recognized that students’ lack of interest in history wasn’t due to the subject itself but rather how it was taught. This insight led him to become a pioneer in educational technology.
As Canada Research Chair in Digital Humanities at Brock University, he helped establish the field of serious games for history education. His groundbreaking research led to the creation of interactive simulations, games, websites and mobile apps that brought history to life for students and the public. His work has consistently bridged cultural literacy, digital fluency and entrepreneurial thinking — an approach he carried with him to uOttawa.
Transforming uOttawa’s Faculty of Arts
When Kee became dean of the Faculty of Arts in 2015, he inherited a faculty grappling with a significant drop in new student enrolments — a challenge driven by broader demographic and economic trends affecting universities across the country. Drawing on his experience in digital innovation and interdisciplinary thinking, he launched bold initiatives to reimagine the academic landscape. These included new programs in digital culture, social entrepreneurship and psychedelic studies, as well as the creation of signature spaces like LabO — a $10-million theatre and learning hub developed in partnership with the City of Ottawa. These efforts reversed a 53% decline in enrolment, with first-year numbers increasing 50% between 2017 and 2022.
More recently, Kee led a Faculty-wide rebranding initiative centred on a compelling new identity: Human Intelligence. This vision emphasizes the power of critical thinking and judgment in shaping meaningful action — an ethos that now defines the Faculty of Arts. Framed as a strategy of empowerment, Human Intelligence encourages students to find purpose in their actions by cultivating the reflective skills that guide sound decision-making.
A strategist for the digital age
In 2022, Kee was asked to serve as senior advisor to the president on digital strategy and learning innovation, taking a few months off as dean to tackle this new challenge. During that time, he led the creation of a University-wide digital roadmap to help position uOttawa as a leader in digital innovation across teaching, research, knowledge mobilization and lifelong learning. He also launched several online programs and established the Learning Futures Fund to help professors develop bold, forward-thinking educational experiences. His work fostered cross-campus collaboration and set a foundation for continuous growth and digital innovation, helping to propel uOttawa’s Transformation 2030 strategy forward.
Reinforcing research excellence
Under Kee’s leadership, the Faculty of Arts saw a renewed commitment to research excellence. In 2025, it secured its highest level of SSHRC Insight Grant funding since 2012, with 11 grants totalling over $2 million. Additionally, Faculty of Arts professors earned five Insight Development Grants, launching their funded research programs and setting them up for future success. Lastly, three Faculty researchers received an Award for Excellence in Research from the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, highlighting the strength and relevance of research under Kee’s guidance.
Returning to the classroom
Throughout his career, Kee has championed the idea that “excellence in research and teaching are not trade-offs.” As he returns to teaching, he brings with him the same energy, vision and curiosity that defined his deanship, and he’s ready to inspire a new generation of thinkers, creators and change-makers.