Tara Shivafard

Tara Shivafard is a Master of Global Affairs student at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in International Development from Brock University, graduating with First-Class Standing. She recently served as a Trade Commissioner (Special Projects) at Global Affairs Canada and has held research and policy roles at the Munk School’s Social Policy Lab; the Association of Municipalities of Ontario; Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada; and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Tara’s interests lie in Canadian innovation and defence policy, AI and urban innovation, internal and international trade policy, and international business development.

Tara's research project will explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping urban built form and the social experience of global cities, specifically Toronto. Her project investigates the policy frameworks needed to ensure that AI-driven changes to urban infrastructure, particularly in mobility and public space, support inclusive and sustainable urban futures. She draws on comparative case studies from global cities to identify best practices for equitable urban innovation.