Michael O’Shea is a higher education practitioner and scholar. As a PhD candidate studying under Dr. Stephanie Waterman (Onondaga, Turtle Clan) at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, his research explores how Canadian universities can act on their historic Treaty obligations to better support Indigenous students across the U.S.-Canada border. He has been awarded a Fulbright student award and SSHRC graduate award for his research.

A proud product of the City of Chicago and its public schools, Michael has worked in a range of higher education, community non-profit, and public service roles in the U.S. and Canada. Currently he works as Early College Program Manager in Cambridge, Massachusetts, strengthening academic pathways between high school and university.

He has lent his energy to serving organizations that strengthen advance equity, diversity, inclusion and decolonizing agendas — including the New Leaders Council, a national progressive organization, and the Massey College Anti-Black Racism Council.

His published work has appeared in The Walrus, National Post, Hill Times, the Chicago Sun-Times, University Affairs, Canadian Journal of Higher Education, and Higher Education Policy.