Thomas Klassen
School of Public Policy and Administration
Professor
Office: 137 McLaughlin College
Phone: 416-736-5384
Email: tklassen@yorku.ca
Primary website: Thomas Klassen - Professional
Secondary website: Thomas Klassen - York University
Attached CV
Media Requests Welcome
My research interests are on Canadian and comparative labour market and income security policies. My current research activities include labour market policies in Canada, as well as pension and retirement policies. I also conduct research on the politics and welfare policies of South Korea.
My teaching, writing and research interests are on politics and public policies with a particulate focus on retirement, income security, East Asia (especially South Korea), and how to ensure students succeed.
I am the co-author of "The Essential Guide to Studying Abroad: From Success in the Classroom to a Fulfilling Career" (2020), and co-editor of "Asymmetric Neighbors and International Relations: Living in the Shadow of Elephants" (2023), "Policy Analysis in South Korea" (2023), "Ageing in Asia-Pacific: Interdisciplinary and Comparative Perspectives" (2018) and "The Routledge Handbook of Global Public Policy and Administration" (2017).
Also recently published is "How to Succeed at University (and Get a Great Job!): Mastering the Critical Skills You Need for School, Work and Life". A French language edition has been published as well. Both books are available in free (open access) versions.
Forthcoming are two edited books: "North Korea: Translation and Transformation in a Global Context"(2024), and "Contemporary Korean Culture from the Edge" (2025).
In the summer of 2022, I coordinated the two-week "North Korea Summer School: Inside North Korean Literature, Art and Film" that brought the world's experts on North Korean culture to York University, as well as students from around the world.
Each year I teach a summer study abroad course that takes York University students to Seoul, South Korea.
Degrees
PhD, University of TorontoGraduate Diploma in Public Administration, Carleton University
MSc Urban & Regional Planning, University of Toronto
MA Sociology, University of Toronto
BA Sociology, Trent University, Peterborough
Appointments
Faculty of HealthProfessional Leadership
I am currently serving as the Communications Officer of the York University Faculty Association. This is an elected position.
Outside of York University, I have been appointed by the City of Toronto Council to the Toronto Committee of Adjustment (an adjudicative tribunal dealing with land use and zoning).
Research Interests
Roberge, Ian, Nara Park and Thomas R. Klassen, eds. 2023. Asymmetric Neighbors and International Relations: Living in the Shadow of Elephants. Routledge. xxiv + 229.
Lah, T. J. and Thomas R. Klassen, eds. 2023. Policy Analysis in South Korea. Bristol: Bristol University Press and Policy Press, xxiii + 291p.
Klassen, Thomas R. and Christine Menges. 2020. The Essential Guide to Studying Abroad: From Success in the Classroom to a Fulfilling Career. Abington, Oxon: Routledge, xiv + 224p.
Klassen, Thomas R., Masa Higo, Nopraenue S. Dhirathiti, and Theresa W. Devasahayam, eds. 2018. Ageing in Asia-Pacific: Interdisciplinary and comparative perspectives. Abington, Oxon: Routledge, xviii + 299p.
Klassen, Thomas R. et John A. Dwyer. 2018. Décrocher son diplôme universitaire (et l’emploi de vos rêves!): Comment maîtriser les compétences essentielles menant au succès à l’école, au travail et dans la vie. translated by Émilie Laramée. Ottawa. University of Ottawa Press. 235p.
Klassen, Thomas R., Denita Cepiku and T. J. Lah. 2017. The Routledge Handbook of Global Public Policy and Administration. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge
Klassen, Thomas R. and John A. Dwyer. 2015. How to Succeed at University (and Get a Great Job!): Mastering the Critical Skills You Need for School, Work and Life. Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press
Higo, Masa and Thomas R. Klassen, eds. 2015. Retirement in Japan and South Korea The past, the present and the future of mandatory retirement. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge
Klassen, Thomas R. and Yunjeong Yang, eds. 2014. Korea's retirement predicament: The ageing tiger. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge
Klassen, Thomas R. 2013. Retirement in Canada: Choices, Challenges, and Prospects. Toronto: Oxford University Press.
Yang, Jae-jin and Thomas R. Klassen, eds. 2010. Retirement, work and pensions in ageing Korea. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.
Cosgrave, James F. and Thomas R. Klassen, eds. 2009. Casino state: Legalized gambling in Canada. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, x + 268p.
Haddow, Rodney and Thomas R. Klassen. 2006. Partisanship, globalization and Canadian labour market policy: Four provinces in comparative perspective. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, x + 390p.
Gillin, C. T., David MacGregor and Thomas R. Klassen, eds. 2005. Time's up: Mandatory retirement in Canada. Toronto: James Lorimer & Company Ltd., Publishers, 326p.
Dwyer, John A. and Thomas R. Klassen. 2005. Flourishing in university and beyond. Toronto. York University, 238p.
Klassen, Thomas R. and John Dwyer. 2003. A practical guide to getting a great job after university: Or how to flourish in both university and the labour market. Toronto: York University, 165p.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2000. Precarious values: Organizations, politics and labour market policy in Ontario, Kingston, ON: McGill-Queen's University Press, xvii + 200p. book cover
Fong, Joelle H. and Thomas R. Klassen. 2023. “Aging Asia and implications for social security programs” in Baehler, K. et al., eds, The Oxford Handbook of Governance and Public Management for Social Policy. Oxford University Press. 207-218.
Kim, Ann, Angie Y. Chung, Mihyon Jeon, Thomas R. Klassen, Min-Jung Kwak, Hyunjung Shin and Patricia Trudel. 2023. “The Racial Experiences of International Students from Korea During the Pandemic” in Kim, A, H. Kim, E. Buckner and J. M. Montsion, eds, International Students from Asia in Canadian Universities: Institutional Challenges at the Intersection of Internationalization, Inclusion, Racialization and Inclusion. Abington Oxon: Routledge. 230-242.
Klassen, Thomas R., Nara Park and Ian Roberge. 2023. “New perspectives on asymmetrical relations” in Roberge, I., N. Park and T. R. Klassen, eds. Asymmetric Neighbors and International Relations: Living in the Shadow of Elephants. Routledge. 1-9.
Klassen, Thomas R., Masa Higo, Nopraenue S. Dhirathiti, and Theresa W. Devasahayam. 2018. “The impacts of the demographic transition in Asia-Pacific” in Klassen, T. R., M. Higo, N. S. Dhirathiti, and T. W. Devasahayam, eds, Ageing in Asia-Pacific: Interdisciplinary and comparative perspectives. Abington Oxon: Routledge. 1-9.
Weyman, Andrew, Thomas R. Klassen and Heike Schröder. 2018. “Workforce management and the retention of older staff: Macro and organisational-level processes in the United Kingdom and South Korea” in Flynn, M., Y. Li and A. Chiva, eds, Managing the Ageing Workforce in the East and the West. Emerald. 111-139.
Schröder, Heike, Matt Flynn, Thomas R. Klassen, Alexander-Stamatios Antoniou and Myung-Joon Park. 2017. “Population aging and labor market policy in Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, and the Republic of Korea: The effects of institutional context on old age employment” in Antoniou, A.-S., R. J. Burke and C. L. Cooper, eds., The Aging Workforce Handbook: Individual, Organizational, and Societal Challenges. Bingley, UK: Emerald. 109-134.
Klassen, Thomas R., Denita Cepiku, and T. J. Lah. 2017. “Public policy and administration in an era of globalization” in Klassen, T. R., D. Cepiku and T. F. Lah, eds, The Routledge Handbook of Global Public Policy and Administration. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. 9-14.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2016. “Age, age discrimination, and ageism” in G. DiGiacomo, ed. Human rights: Current issues and controversies. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. 198-217.
Klassen, Thomas R. and Masa Higo. 2015. “The future of mandatory retirement: A Japan-Korea comparison and policy lessons” in Higo, M. and T. R. Klassen, eds. Retirement in Japan and South Korea: The past, the present and the future of mandatory retirement. Routledge. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. 164-176.
Yang, Jae-jin and Thomas R. Klassen. 2010. “Conclusion: Averting the expected catastrophe” in J-j. Yang and T. R. Klassen, eds. Retirement, work and pensions in ageing Korea. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, 176-185.
Klassen, Thomas R. and Jae-jin Yang. 2010. “Introduction: Population aging and income security” in J-j. Yang and T. R. Klassen, eds. Retirement, work and pensions in ageing Korea. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, 1-13.
Klassen, Thomas R. and James F. Cosgrave. 2009. “The policies of gambling legitimation and expansion in Ontario” in J. F. Cosgrave and T. R. Klassen, eds. Casino state: Legalized gambling in Canada. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 121-139.
Cosgrave, James F. and Thomas R. Klassen. 2009. “The shape of legalized Canadian gambling” in J. F. Cosgrave and T. R. Klassen, eds. Casino state: Legalized gambling in Canada. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 3-16.
MacGregor, David and Thomas R. Klassen. 2007. “The great purge: Forced retirement and the ‘succession question’ in Canadian sociology” in. L. Tepperman and H. Dickinson, eds. Reading Sociology: Canadian Perspectives. Don Mills, Ontario: Oxford University Press, 151-154.
Bröesel, Gerrit and Thomas R. Klassen. 2006. “Zu möglichen Auswirkungen des IFRS 3 und des IAS 36 auf das M&A-Management” in F. Keuper, M. Häfner, and C. Glahn, eds. Der M&A-Prozess Konzepte, Ansätze und Strategien für die Pre- und Post-Phase. Wiesbaden, Germany: Gabler, 445-476.
Klassen, Thomas R. with David Forgione. 2005 “Forced retirement: Organized labour’s predicament” in C. T Gillin, D. MacGregor and T. R. Klassen, eds. Time's up: Mandatory retirement in Canada. Toronto: James Lorimer & Company Ltd., Publishers, 75-89.
Gillin, C. T. and Thomas R. Klassen 2005. “The shifting judicial foundation of legalized age discrimination” in C.T. Gillin, D. MacGregor and T. R. Klassen, eds. Time's up: Mandatory retirement in Canada. Toronto: James Lorimer & Company Ltd., Publishers, 45-73.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2000. “The federal-provincial labour market development agreements: Brave new model of collaboration?” in T. McIntosh, ed. Federalism, democracy and labour market policy in Canada. Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press, 159-203.
Robert B. Hudson (ed.). 2005. The new politics of old age policy. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press. Reviewed in Canadian Journal on Aging, 25.3: 334-335 (2006).
Loewen, Royden. 2001. Hidden worlds: Revisiting the Mennonite migrants of the 1870s. Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press. Reviewed in Canadian Ethnic Studies, 34.2: 138-139 (2002)
Winarnita, Monica, Masa Higo, Thomas R. Klassen, Irene Blackberry. 2023. “Asian female migrant aged care workers in regional Australia and social resilience,” Review of Regional Research. 43:367–380
Buettgen, Alexis and Thomas R. Klassen. 2020. “The role of the nonprofit sector as a site for inclusive employment,” Canadian Journal of Nonprofit and Social Economy Research. 11.2:82-96.
Higo, Masa and Thomas R. Klassen. 2017. “Reforms of retirement policies: Three common paths in aging Japan and Korea,” Aging and Social Policy. 29.1: 70-83.
Wood, Donna and Thomas R. Klassen. 2017. “Accountability regimes in federal-provincial Labour Market Agreements 1995-2015,” Canadian Public Administration. 60.1:7-27.
Wood, Donna and Thomas R. Klassen. 2017. “Accountability regimes in federal-provincial Labour Market Agreements 1995-2015,” Canadian Public Administration. 60.1:7-27.
Klassen, Thomas R. and Masa Higo. 2016. “Rapid population ageing and reforms to contractual mandatory retirement in Japan and South Korea,” Journal of Gerontology & Geriatric Research. 5:350
Wood, Donna and Thomas R. Klassen. 2009. “Bilateral federalism and workforce development policy in Canada,” Canadian Public Administration. 52.2: 249-270.
Klassen, Thomas R. and Donna Wood. 2008. “Devolution and democracy: Labor market policy in Canada and the United Kingdom 1996-2006,” International Review of Public Administration. 12.2: 13-20.
Wood, Donna and Thomas R. Klassen. 2008. “Intergovernmental relations post devolution: Active labour market policy in Canada and the United Kingdom 1996-2006,” Regional & Federal Studies. 18.4: 331–351.
Kroll, Robert M. and Thomas R. Klassen. 2007. “Perspectives on the academic and clinical education in stuttering,” Canadian Journal of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology. 31.1: 94-100.
Haddow, Rodney, Steffen Schneider and Thomas R. Klassen. 2006. “Can decentralization alleviate labour market dysfunctions in marginal jurisdictions? Active labour market policies in Nova Scotia and Saxony-Anhalt,” Canadian Public Policy. 32.3: 317-337.
Klassen, Thomas R. and Daniel Buchanan. 2006. “Ideology, policy and economy: Liberal, New Democratic and Conservative reforms of Ontario's welfare program, 1985-2000,” Journal of Canadian Studies. 40.3: 186-210.
Klassen, Thomas R. and Daniel Buchanan. 2006. “Ideology, policy and economy: Liberal, New Democratic and Conservative reforms of Ontario's welfare program, 1985-2000,” Journal of Canadian Studies. 40.3: 186-210.
Klassen, Thomas R. and C. T. Gillin. 2005. “Legalized age discrimination,” Journal of Law and Social Policy. 30: 35-51.
Klassen, Thomas R. and Robert M. Kroll. 2005 “Opinions on stuttering and its treatment: A follow-up survey and cross-cultural comparison,” Journal of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology. 29.2: 73-82.
Schneider, Steffen, Thomas R. Klassen and Rodney Haddow. 2004. “Across the Atlantic: Labour market reforms in subnational jurisdictions of Canada and Germany,” International Journal of Canadian Studies. 29: 117-140.
Haddow, Rodney and Thomas R. Klassen. 2004. “Partisanship, institutions and public policy: The case of labour market policy in Ontario, 1990-2000,” Canadian Journal of Political Science, 37.1: 137-160.
Klassen, Thomas R. and Steffen Schneider. 2002. “Similar challenges, different solutions: Reforming labour market policies in Germany and Canada during the 1990s,” Canadian Public Policy, 28.1: 51-69.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2002. “Social distance and the negative stereotype of people who stutter,” Journal of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, 26.2: 90-99.
Cosgrave, Jim and Thomas R. Klassen. 2001. “Gambling against the state: The state and the legitimation of gambling,” Current Sociology, 49.5: 1-22.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2001. “Perceptions of people who stutter: Re-assessing the negative stereotype,” Perceptual and Motor Skills, 92: 551-559.
Klassen, Thomas R. and C.T. Gillin. 1999. “The heavy hand of the law: The Canadian Supreme Court and mandatory retirement,” Canadian Journal on Aging, 18.2: 259-276.
Carr, Paul R. and Thomas R. Klassen. 1997. “Different perceptions of race in education: Racial minority and white teachers,” Canadian Journal of Education, 22.1: 67-81.
Klassen, Thomas R. and Daniel Buchanan. 1997. “Getting it backward: Economy and welfare from 1985-95," Canadian Public Policy, 23.3: 333-338.
Carr, Paul R. and Thomas R. Klassen. 1997. “Institutional barriers to the implementation of anti-racist education: A study of a large, urban school board,” Canadian Journal of Educational Administration and Policy, 12.1: 46-68.
Klassen, Thomas R. 1996. “Organizational design and precarious values: The rise and fall of Ontario's Ministry of Skills Development,” Canadian Public Administration, 39.2: 117-135.
Carr, Paul R. and Thomas R. Klassen. 1996. “The role of racial minority teachers in anti-racist education,” Canadian Ethnic Studies, 28.2: 126-138.
Gillin, C. T. and Thomas R. Klassen. 1995. “Age discrimination and mandatory retirement policies: A comparison of labor market regulation in Canada and the United States,” Journal of Aging and Social Policy, 7.1: 85-102.
Klassen, Thomas R. 1995. “The challenge of regaining and maintaining fluency: A socio-psychological view,” Journal of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, 19.2: 97-102.
Veugelers, John W. P. and Thomas R. Klassen. 1994. “Canadian immigration policy: A reply to Foot and Simmons,” Canadian Journal of Sociology, 19.4: 535-540.
Veugelers, John W. P. and Thomas R. Klassen. 1994. “Continuity and change in Canada's unemployment-immigration linkage (1946-1993),” Canadian Journal of Sociology, 19.3: 351-369.
Klassen, Thomas. 2015. “The perceived disconnect between the classroom and the ‘real world’” University Affairs October 14. http://www.universityaffairs.ca/opinion/in-my-opinion/the-perceived-disconnect-between-the-classroom-and-the-real-world/
Klassen, Thomas. 2014. “The lost generation of university graduates” University Affairs April 2. http://www.universityaffairs.ca/the-lost-generation-of-university-graduates.aspx
Klassen, Thomas R. 2012. “Upgrade anxiety and the aging expert” Academic Matters May, 7-10. http://www.academicmatters.ca/2012/05/upgrade-anxiety-and-the-aging-expert/
Wood, Donna E. and Thomas R. Klassen. 2011. “Improving the governance of employment and training policy in Canada,” Mowat Centre Employment Insurance Task Force www.mowateitaskforce.ca/sites/default/files/Wood%20Klassen.pdf [27 pages] – September 2011
Klassen, Thomas R. 2011. “New policies for Korea’s aging labor force: The role of contractual mandatory retirement” Korea Labor Institute Issue Paper #115. Seoul: Korea Labor Institute [17 pages] http://www.kli.re.kr/kli/html_eng/08_mail/webzineboard/upfile/e_115.pdf - October 28
Hering, Martin and Thomas R. Klassen. 2010. “Is 70 the New 65? Raising the eligibility age in the Canada Pension Plan.” Mowat Centre for Policy Innovation, Toronto. www.mowatcentre.ca/pdfs/mowatResearch/28.pdf [18 pages] - November 2010
Klassen, Thomas R. 2010. “Korea: Extending working lives,” Global Brief (web exclusive), April 29. http://globalbrief.ca/blog/2010/04/29/extending-working-lives/
Klassen, Thomas R. 2010. “South Korea: Ageing tiger,” Global Brief (web exclusive), January 12. globalbrief.ca/blog/2010/01/12/south-korea-ageing-tiger/
Hering, Maring and Thomas R. Klassen. 2010. “Why we need to raise the retirement age.” Analysis and Opinion. The Mowat Centre for Policy Innovation. April 14, 2010 http://www.mowatcentre.ca/opinions.php?opinionID=33
Klassen, Thomas R. 2009. “John S. Saul: A passionate scholar,” Academic Matters, October-November, 33-34.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2008. “Academic abroad,” Academic Matters, April-May, 26-27.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2008. “Reducing poverty without major pension reforms: The Canadian case,” Global Social Security Today, winter: 2-9.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2008. “Social consensus in the process of pension reform in Canada,” Health and Social Welfare Review (South Korea), 28.1: 51-67.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2007. “Prospects for Canada’s federalism in the 21st century,” Korean Review of Canadian Studies, 13.1: 69-83.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2007. “Retirement policies for an aging society: The case of Canada,” Social Science Review (South Korea), 38.1: 103-116.
MacGregor, David and Thomas R. Klassen. 2005. “The age purge: Forced retirement and the ‘succession question’ in Canadian sociology,” Society, 20.3: 13-31.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2004. “The end of mandatory retirement and beyond,” Benefits and Pensions Monitor, 14.6: 22-23.
Klassen, Thomas R. and Jim Cosgrave. 2002. “Look who's addicted to gambling now,” Policy Options, 23.5: 43-46.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2001. “The complexity of attitudes toward people who stutter,” Proceedings of the Third World Congress on Fluency Disorders. Nijmegen, Netherlands: Nijmegen University Press, 605-609.
Gillin, C. T. and Thomas R. Klassen. 2000. “Retire mandatory retirement,” Policy Options, 21.6: 59-62.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2000. “Struggling to get it right,” Public Sector Management, 11.2: 22-23.
Klassen, Thomas R. 1999. “Job market training: The social union in practice,” Policy Options, 20.10: 40-44.
Klassen, Thomas and Suzanne LeBlanc. 1993. “Methodological issues in research on public policy: Utilizing government documents,” Society, 17.1: 9-13.
Klassen, Thomas and Suzanne LeBlanc. 1993. “Methodological issues in research on public policy: Utilizing interviews,” Society, 17.2: 21-26.
Cook, Suzanne L. Thomas R. Klassen and James. Nguygen. “Innovations: Mature workers and later life career development.” Cannexus: National Career Development Conference. Ottawa. January 25, 2016
Klassen, Thomas R. “How to conduct international collaborative research.” Graduate School of Decision Science and Business. Kyushu University, Japan, January 15, 2015.
Wood, Donna and Thomas R. Klassen. “Deficient reporting regimes in contested jurisdictional domains.” European Consortium for Political Research General Conference (ECPR). Montreal. August 28, 2015.
Klassen, Thomas R. “Reforming retirement ages in South Korea.” 10th Asia/Oceania Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics (International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics). Chiang Mai, Thailand, October 19-22, 2015.
Klassen, Thomas R. “Stasis and reform: Retirement policies in aging Japan and Korea.” Social Welfare Risks Seminar, Yonsei University. November 11, 2015.
Klassen, Thomas R. and JeungKun Kim. “Contractual mandatory retirement in Korea: Reform and stasis.” 2014 International Yonsei Public Administration Conference. Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea, June 27, 2014
Klassen, Thomas R. “The DMZ and lessons from the German experience in establishing trust between North and South Korea.” Trust Building in the Korea Peninsula. Daegu, South Korea (Kyungil University), September 18, 2014.
Klassen, Thomas R. “Lessons from the Canadian Experience on the Urban Development of Mid-sized Cities.” Strategies for Urban Development through Cultural Tourism. Ulsan, South Korea. November 4, 2014.
Klassen, Thomas R. “Economic Insecurity among Older Koreans: The Role of Contractual Mandatory Retirement.” 2014 Korea Gerontological Society Conference. Seoul, South Korea (University of Seoul), November 21, 2014.
Klassen, Thomas R. “The ageing tiger? Retirement in the context of a rapidly ageing population” 18th International Studies Symposium: Beyond Borders: Inspiring Global Dialogue in the 21st Century – The Korean Peninsula, Glendon College, York University, Toronto. April 6, 2013.
Klassen, Thomas R. “Prospects for reforming contractual mandatory retirement in Korea” 20th IIAG World Congress on Gerontology and Geriatrics, Seoul, South Korea. June 27, 2013.
Klassen, Thomas R. “New policies for Korea’s aging labor force: The role of contractual mandatory retirement” Korea Labor Institute Seminar Series. Seoul, South Korea, August 23, 2011.
Klassen, Thomas R. “The elimination of contractual mandatory retirement at age 65 in Canada: unfinished and still contentious” Canadian Conference on Elder Law. October 29, 2010. Toronto.
Klassen, Thomas R. and Donna Wood. “Getting it Right: But for Whom?” Understanding and Evaluating New Intergovernmental Accountability Regimes: Canada in Comparative Perspective. University of Toronto, February 5, 2010.
Klassen, Thomas R. and Donna Wood. “Getting it Right: But for Whom? Federal-Provincial Accountability Regimes in Labour Market Policy”, British Columbia Political Studies Association Annual Conference, May 7, 2010, Vancouver.
Hering, Martin and Thomas R. Klassen. “Raising the Eligibilty Age in the Canada Pension Plan and the Quebec Pension Plan”, C. D. Howe Institute Policy Seminar, June 2, 2010. Toronto.
Klassen, Thomas R. “The aging Korean tiger and the global economy: Living longer, working longer and earning less” Global Asia and the Global Economic Crisis, York University, April 8, 2009.
Klassen, Thomas R. “The aging tiger: South Korea’s income security policy for the elderly” World Congress for Korean Politics and Society. Seoul, South Korea. August 21, 2009.
Klassen, Thomas R. “The aging tiger: South Korea’s income security policy for the elderly” Challenges, Dynamics and Implications of Welfare Regime Change in a Comparative Perspective: A Dialogue between Post-Soviet and East Asian Scholars, University of Toronto, February 6, 2009.
Klassen, Thomas R. “Old-age income security in Canada: Balancing the welfare state and a liberal market economy” International Symposium on Fighting Old-age Poverty, Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, July 16-17, 2008, Seoul.
Klassen, Thomas R. “Increasing the age of retirement: Policy reforms in South Korea, Germany and Canada from 1995 to 2005” Shaping Asian Public Administration: Challenges and Opportunities, Korea University, February 24, 2007, Seoul.
Wood, Donna and Thomas R. Klassen. “Intergovernmental relations post devolution: Labour market policy in Canada and the United Kingdom 1996-2006” (with D. Wood), British Columbia Political Studies Association Annual Conference, May 5, 2007, Vancouver.
Wood, Donna and Thomas R. Klassen. “Devolution and the governance of active labour market policy: Lessons from Canada and the United Kingdom” (with D. Wood), ASPEN (Active Social Policies European Network)/ ETUI (European Trade Union Institute) Conference, October 21, 2006, Brussels.
Wood, Donna and Thomas R. Klassen. “Devolution and the governance of active labour market policy: Lessons from Canada and the United Kingdom”, International Political Science Association World Congress, July 11, 2006, Fukuoka, Japan.
Kroll, Robert and Thomas R. Klassen “Ensuring the effectiveness of academic and clinical preparation for stuttering treatment” 5th World Congress on Fluency Disorders, July 26, Dublin, Ireland.
Klassen, Thomas R. “Retirement policies for an aging society: The case of Canada” International Seminar on Aging and Health Policy, Seoul National University, November 15, 2006, Seoul.
Klassen, Thomas R. “Social consensus in the process of pension reform in Canada” Aging Population and Pension Reform, Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, December 19, 2006, Seoul.
Hering, Martin and Thomas R. Klassen “Welfare regimes and retirement ages: Reform options and policy choices in Canada, Germany and Korea, 1995-2005”, American Political Science Association Annual Meeting, September 1, 2006, Philadelphia.
Hering, Martin and Thomas R. Klassen “Welfare regimes and retirement ages: Reform options and policy choices in Canada, Germany and Korea, 1995-2005”, Canadian Political Science Annual General Meeting, June 3, 2006, Toronto.
Klassen, Thomas R. and David MacGregor. “Forced retirement and the succession question”, Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association Annual Meeting, May 31, 2005, London, Ontario.
Kroll, Robert and Thomas R. Klassen. “The effectiveness of academic and clinical preparation for stuttering treatment”, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, November 20, 2005, San Diego, California.
Klassen, Thomas R. “Forced retirement: The tension between collective and individual rights” Canadian Anthropology Society Annual Conference, May 8, 2004, London, Ontario.
Petrunik. Michael and Thomas R. Klassen. “A sociological analysis of stuttering: From clinical conceptions to self-help/advocacy”, 4th World Congress on Fluency Disorders, August 12, 2003, Montreal.
Schneider, Steffen and Thomas R. Klassen. “Decentralization and the status quo in Ontario and Bavaria: Variations in active labour market policy reform in subnational jurisdictions in Canada and Germany”, Canadian Political Science Annual General Meeting, May 31, 2003, Halifax.
Cosgrave, James and Thomas R. Klassen. “Governing the gambling citizen: A Canadian focus”, 12th International Conference on Gambling and Risk Taking, May 26, 2003, Vancouver.
Haddow, Rodney and Thomas R. Klassen. “Labour market policy in Ontario: The effect of partisanship and institutions”, Canadian Political Science Annual General Meeting, May 31, 2002, Toronto.
Klassen, Thomas R. “The complexity of attitudes toward people who stutter,” 3rd World Congress on Fluency Disorders, August 10, 2000, Nyborg, Denmark.
Klassen, Thomas R. “Insecure, shy and withdrawn? Not! The complexity of attitudes toward people who stutter,” Canadian Association for People Who Stutter Conference, August 19, 1999, Montreal.
Klassen, Thomas R. “What do they hear: Differences in perceptions among stutterers and non-stutterers,” 5th World Congress for People Who Stutter, July 8, 1998, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Carr, Paul and Thomas R. Klassen. “Implementing anti-racist education in Toronto: Barriers and opportunities”, American Sociological Association, August 11, 1997, Toronto.
Klassen, Thomas R. and Samia Makhamra. “Stereotyping persons with speech disabilities: Does the negative stereotype apply in day-to-day interactions”, 2nd World Congress on Fluency Disorders, August 4, 1997, San Francisco.
Gillin, C. T. and Thomas R. Klassen. “The heavy hand of the law: The Canadian Supreme Court and mandatory retirement”, Canadian Law and Society Association and the Canadian Association of Law Teachers, June 3, 1996, St. Catherines, Ontario.
Kroll, Robert M. and Thomas R. Klassen. 2007. “Ensuring the effectiveness of academic and clinical preparation for stuttering treatment,” Research, Treatment, and Self-Help in Fluency Disorders: New Horizons (Proceedings of the Fifth World Congress on Fluency Disorders). International Fluency Association, 292-297.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2001. “The complexity of attitudes toward people who stutter,” Proceedings of the Third World Congress on Fluency Disorders. Nijmegen, Netherlands: Nijmegen University Press, 605-609.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2006. “The minister asks…”: A simulation of deputy minister leadership. Institute of Public Administration of Canada Case Study #6.02. Toronto: Institute of Public Administration of Canada.
Battams, Nathan. 2014. “Review of Thomas R. Klassen, ‘Retirement in Canada,’” Transition, 44. 2:8. http://www.vanierinstitute.ca/include/get.php?nodeid=3769&format=download
Meuronen, Markus and Pauliina Raento. 2011. “Review of James F. Cosgrave and Thomas R. Klassen, eds. ‘Casino state: Legalized gambling in Canada,’” The Canadian Geographer, 55.2: 266-267.
Taylor, Jonathan. 2011. “Review of James F. Cosgrave and Thomas R. Klassen, eds. ‘Casino state: Legalized gambling in Canada,’” Journal of Gambling Issues, 25:136-139. http://jgi.camh.net/doi/pdf/10.4309/jgi.2011.25.11
Harrigan, Kevin. 2010. “Review of James F. Cosgrave and Thomas R. Klassen, eds. ‘Casino state: Legalized gambling in Canada,’” Canadian Criminal Justice Association http://www.ccja-acjp.ca/en/cjcr300/cjcr363.html
Burke, Anne. 2010. “Review of James F. Cosgrave and Thomas R. Klassen, eds. ‘Casino state: Legalized gambling in Canada,’” The Prairie Journal. http://prairiejournal.org/casino_state.htm
Borrell, Jennifer. 2009. “Review of James F. Cosgrave and Thomas R. Klassen, eds. ‘Casino state: Legalized gambling in Canada,’” Canadian Journal of Sociology, 34.4: 1186-1189.
W. A Bogart. 2009. “’This dreadful vice’ Is it gambling or government addiction to gambling that’s the problem?” Review of James F. Cosgrave and Thomas R. Klassen, eds. ‘Casino state: Legalized gambling in Canada,’ Literary Review of Canada, 17.1:26-27.
Reshef, Yonatan. 2008. “Review of Rodney Haddow and Thomas R. Klassen, ‘Partisanship, globalization and Canadian labour market policy: Four provinces in comparative perspective,’” Journal of Labor Research, 29:88–97.
Peters, John. 2007. “Review of Rodney Haddow and Thomas R. Klassen, ‘Partisanship, globalization and Canadian labour market policy: Four provinces in comparative perspective,’” International Review of Public Administration, 12.1:159-161.
Gomez, Rafael. 2007. “Review of Rodney Haddow and Thomas R. Klassen, ‘Partisanship, globalization and Canadian labour market policy: Four provinces in comparative perspective,’” Industrial and Labor Relations Review, 60.4: 590-590.
Urmetzer, Brian. 2007. “Review of Rodney Haddow and Thomas R. Klassen, ‘Partisanship, globalization and Canadian labour market policy: Four provinces in comparative perspective,’” Canadian Public Policy, 33.1: 120-121.
Béland, Daniel. 2006. “Review of C.T. Gillin, David MacGregor and Thomas R. Klassen (eds.), ‘Time’s Up! Mandatory Retirement in Canada,’” Canadian Journal on Aging, 25.3: 331-332.
Robinson, David. 2002. “Review of Thomas R. Klassen, ‘Precarious values: Organizations, politics and labour market policy in Ontario,’” Labour, 50 (Fall): 319-321.
Martinello, Felice, 2001. “Review of Thomas R. Klassen, ‘Precarious values: Organizations, politics and labour market policy in Ontario,’” Canadian Public Policy, 27.2: 243-245.
van der Berg, Axel. 2001. "Review of Thomas R. Klassen, ’Precarious values: Organizations, politics and labour market policy in Ontario,’” Canadian Journal of Sociology Online, May-June, www.arts.ualberta.ca/cjscopy/reviews/precarious.html.
Smith, Michael R. 2000. “Review of Thomas R. Klassen, ‘Precarious values: Organizations, politics and labour market policy in Ontario,’” Canadian Public Administration, 43.3: 374-376.
Current Courses
| Term | Course Number | Section | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall/Winter 2024 | GS/PPAL6230 3.0 | B | Topics in Public Policy | SEMR |
| Fall 2024 | AP/PPAS3761 3.0 | A | Canada's Social Policy | LECT |
Upcoming Courses
| Term | Course Number | Section | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall/Winter 2024 | GS/PPAL6230 3.0 | B | Topics in Public Policy | SEMR |
My research interests are on Canadian and comparative labour market and income security policies. My current research activities include labour market policies in Canada, as well as pension and retirement policies. I also conduct research on the politics and welfare policies of South Korea.
My teaching, writing and research interests are on politics and public policies with a particulate focus on retirement, income security, East Asia (especially South Korea), and how to ensure students succeed.
I am the co-author of "The Essential Guide to Studying Abroad: From Success in the Classroom to a Fulfilling Career" (2020), and co-editor of "Asymmetric Neighbors and International Relations: Living in the Shadow of Elephants" (2023), "Policy Analysis in South Korea" (2023), "Ageing in Asia-Pacific: Interdisciplinary and Comparative Perspectives" (2018) and "The Routledge Handbook of Global Public Policy and Administration" (2017).
Also recently published is "How to Succeed at University (and Get a Great Job!): Mastering the Critical Skills You Need for School, Work and Life". A French language edition has been published as well. Both books are available in free (open access) versions.
Forthcoming are two edited books: "North Korea: Translation and Transformation in a Global Context"(2024), and "Contemporary Korean Culture from the Edge" (2025).
In the summer of 2022, I coordinated the two-week "North Korea Summer School: Inside North Korean Literature, Art and Film" that brought the world's experts on North Korean culture to York University, as well as students from around the world.
Each year I teach a summer study abroad course that takes York University students to Seoul, South Korea.
Degrees
PhD, University of TorontoGraduate Diploma in Public Administration, Carleton University
MSc Urban & Regional Planning, University of Toronto
MA Sociology, University of Toronto
BA Sociology, Trent University, Peterborough
Appointments
Faculty of HealthProfessional Leadership
I am currently serving as the Communications Officer of the York University Faculty Association. This is an elected position.
Outside of York University, I have been appointed by the City of Toronto Council to the Toronto Committee of Adjustment (an adjudicative tribunal dealing with land use and zoning).
Research Interests
All Publications
Fong, Joelle H. and Thomas R. Klassen. 2023. “Aging Asia and implications for social security programs” in Baehler, K. et al., eds, The Oxford Handbook of Governance and Public Management for Social Policy. Oxford University Press. 207-218.
Kim, Ann, Angie Y. Chung, Mihyon Jeon, Thomas R. Klassen, Min-Jung Kwak, Hyunjung Shin and Patricia Trudel. 2023. “The Racial Experiences of International Students from Korea During the Pandemic” in Kim, A, H. Kim, E. Buckner and J. M. Montsion, eds, International Students from Asia in Canadian Universities: Institutional Challenges at the Intersection of Internationalization, Inclusion, Racialization and Inclusion. Abington Oxon: Routledge. 230-242.
Klassen, Thomas R., Nara Park and Ian Roberge. 2023. “New perspectives on asymmetrical relations” in Roberge, I., N. Park and T. R. Klassen, eds. Asymmetric Neighbors and International Relations: Living in the Shadow of Elephants. Routledge. 1-9.
Klassen, Thomas R., Masa Higo, Nopraenue S. Dhirathiti, and Theresa W. Devasahayam. 2018. “The impacts of the demographic transition in Asia-Pacific” in Klassen, T. R., M. Higo, N. S. Dhirathiti, and T. W. Devasahayam, eds, Ageing in Asia-Pacific: Interdisciplinary and comparative perspectives. Abington Oxon: Routledge. 1-9.
Weyman, Andrew, Thomas R. Klassen and Heike Schröder. 2018. “Workforce management and the retention of older staff: Macro and organisational-level processes in the United Kingdom and South Korea” in Flynn, M., Y. Li and A. Chiva, eds, Managing the Ageing Workforce in the East and the West. Emerald. 111-139.
Schröder, Heike, Matt Flynn, Thomas R. Klassen, Alexander-Stamatios Antoniou and Myung-Joon Park. 2017. “Population aging and labor market policy in Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, and the Republic of Korea: The effects of institutional context on old age employment” in Antoniou, A.-S., R. J. Burke and C. L. Cooper, eds., The Aging Workforce Handbook: Individual, Organizational, and Societal Challenges. Bingley, UK: Emerald. 109-134.
Klassen, Thomas R., Denita Cepiku, and T. J. Lah. 2017. “Public policy and administration in an era of globalization” in Klassen, T. R., D. Cepiku and T. F. Lah, eds, The Routledge Handbook of Global Public Policy and Administration. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. 9-14.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2016. “Age, age discrimination, and ageism” in G. DiGiacomo, ed. Human rights: Current issues and controversies. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. 198-217.
Klassen, Thomas R. and Masa Higo. 2015. “The future of mandatory retirement: A Japan-Korea comparison and policy lessons” in Higo, M. and T. R. Klassen, eds. Retirement in Japan and South Korea: The past, the present and the future of mandatory retirement. Routledge. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. 164-176.
Yang, Jae-jin and Thomas R. Klassen. 2010. “Conclusion: Averting the expected catastrophe” in J-j. Yang and T. R. Klassen, eds. Retirement, work and pensions in ageing Korea. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, 176-185.
Klassen, Thomas R. and Jae-jin Yang. 2010. “Introduction: Population aging and income security” in J-j. Yang and T. R. Klassen, eds. Retirement, work and pensions in ageing Korea. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, 1-13.
Klassen, Thomas R. and James F. Cosgrave. 2009. “The policies of gambling legitimation and expansion in Ontario” in J. F. Cosgrave and T. R. Klassen, eds. Casino state: Legalized gambling in Canada. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 121-139.
Cosgrave, James F. and Thomas R. Klassen. 2009. “The shape of legalized Canadian gambling” in J. F. Cosgrave and T. R. Klassen, eds. Casino state: Legalized gambling in Canada. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 3-16.
MacGregor, David and Thomas R. Klassen. 2007. “The great purge: Forced retirement and the ‘succession question’ in Canadian sociology” in. L. Tepperman and H. Dickinson, eds. Reading Sociology: Canadian Perspectives. Don Mills, Ontario: Oxford University Press, 151-154.
Bröesel, Gerrit and Thomas R. Klassen. 2006. “Zu möglichen Auswirkungen des IFRS 3 und des IAS 36 auf das M&A-Management” in F. Keuper, M. Häfner, and C. Glahn, eds. Der M&A-Prozess Konzepte, Ansätze und Strategien für die Pre- und Post-Phase. Wiesbaden, Germany: Gabler, 445-476.
Klassen, Thomas R. with David Forgione. 2005 “Forced retirement: Organized labour’s predicament” in C. T Gillin, D. MacGregor and T. R. Klassen, eds. Time's up: Mandatory retirement in Canada. Toronto: James Lorimer & Company Ltd., Publishers, 75-89.
Gillin, C. T. and Thomas R. Klassen 2005. “The shifting judicial foundation of legalized age discrimination” in C.T. Gillin, D. MacGregor and T. R. Klassen, eds. Time's up: Mandatory retirement in Canada. Toronto: James Lorimer & Company Ltd., Publishers, 45-73.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2000. “The federal-provincial labour market development agreements: Brave new model of collaboration?” in T. McIntosh, ed. Federalism, democracy and labour market policy in Canada. Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press, 159-203.
Robert B. Hudson (ed.). 2005. The new politics of old age policy. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press. Reviewed in Canadian Journal on Aging, 25.3: 334-335 (2006).
Loewen, Royden. 2001. Hidden worlds: Revisiting the Mennonite migrants of the 1870s. Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press. Reviewed in Canadian Ethnic Studies, 34.2: 138-139 (2002)
Roberge, Ian, Nara Park and Thomas R. Klassen, eds. 2023. Asymmetric Neighbors and International Relations: Living in the Shadow of Elephants. Routledge. xxiv + 229.
Lah, T. J. and Thomas R. Klassen, eds. 2023. Policy Analysis in South Korea. Bristol: Bristol University Press and Policy Press, xxiii + 291p.
Klassen, Thomas R. and Christine Menges. 2020. The Essential Guide to Studying Abroad: From Success in the Classroom to a Fulfilling Career. Abington, Oxon: Routledge, xiv + 224p.
Klassen, Thomas R., Masa Higo, Nopraenue S. Dhirathiti, and Theresa W. Devasahayam, eds. 2018. Ageing in Asia-Pacific: Interdisciplinary and comparative perspectives. Abington, Oxon: Routledge, xviii + 299p.
Klassen, Thomas R. et John A. Dwyer. 2018. Décrocher son diplôme universitaire (et l’emploi de vos rêves!): Comment maîtriser les compétences essentielles menant au succès à l’école, au travail et dans la vie. translated by Émilie Laramée. Ottawa. University of Ottawa Press. 235p.
Klassen, Thomas R., Denita Cepiku and T. J. Lah. 2017. The Routledge Handbook of Global Public Policy and Administration. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge
Klassen, Thomas R. and John A. Dwyer. 2015. How to Succeed at University (and Get a Great Job!): Mastering the Critical Skills You Need for School, Work and Life. Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press
Higo, Masa and Thomas R. Klassen, eds. 2015. Retirement in Japan and South Korea The past, the present and the future of mandatory retirement. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge
Klassen, Thomas R. and Yunjeong Yang, eds. 2014. Korea's retirement predicament: The ageing tiger. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge
Klassen, Thomas R. 2013. Retirement in Canada: Choices, Challenges, and Prospects. Toronto: Oxford University Press.
Yang, Jae-jin and Thomas R. Klassen, eds. 2010. Retirement, work and pensions in ageing Korea. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.
Cosgrave, James F. and Thomas R. Klassen, eds. 2009. Casino state: Legalized gambling in Canada. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, x + 268p.
Haddow, Rodney and Thomas R. Klassen. 2006. Partisanship, globalization and Canadian labour market policy: Four provinces in comparative perspective. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, x + 390p.
Gillin, C. T., David MacGregor and Thomas R. Klassen, eds. 2005. Time's up: Mandatory retirement in Canada. Toronto: James Lorimer & Company Ltd., Publishers, 326p.
Dwyer, John A. and Thomas R. Klassen. 2005. Flourishing in university and beyond. Toronto. York University, 238p.
Klassen, Thomas R. and John Dwyer. 2003. A practical guide to getting a great job after university: Or how to flourish in both university and the labour market. Toronto: York University, 165p.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2000. Precarious values: Organizations, politics and labour market policy in Ontario, Kingston, ON: McGill-Queen's University Press, xvii + 200p. book cover
Winarnita, Monica, Masa Higo, Thomas R. Klassen, Irene Blackberry. 2023. “Asian female migrant aged care workers in regional Australia and social resilience,” Review of Regional Research. 43:367–380
Buettgen, Alexis and Thomas R. Klassen. 2020. “The role of the nonprofit sector as a site for inclusive employment,” Canadian Journal of Nonprofit and Social Economy Research. 11.2:82-96.
Higo, Masa and Thomas R. Klassen. 2017. “Reforms of retirement policies: Three common paths in aging Japan and Korea,” Aging and Social Policy. 29.1: 70-83.
Wood, Donna and Thomas R. Klassen. 2017. “Accountability regimes in federal-provincial Labour Market Agreements 1995-2015,” Canadian Public Administration. 60.1:7-27.
Wood, Donna and Thomas R. Klassen. 2017. “Accountability regimes in federal-provincial Labour Market Agreements 1995-2015,” Canadian Public Administration. 60.1:7-27.
Klassen, Thomas R. and Masa Higo. 2016. “Rapid population ageing and reforms to contractual mandatory retirement in Japan and South Korea,” Journal of Gerontology & Geriatric Research. 5:350
Wood, Donna and Thomas R. Klassen. 2009. “Bilateral federalism and workforce development policy in Canada,” Canadian Public Administration. 52.2: 249-270.
Klassen, Thomas R. and Donna Wood. 2008. “Devolution and democracy: Labor market policy in Canada and the United Kingdom 1996-2006,” International Review of Public Administration. 12.2: 13-20.
Wood, Donna and Thomas R. Klassen. 2008. “Intergovernmental relations post devolution: Active labour market policy in Canada and the United Kingdom 1996-2006,” Regional & Federal Studies. 18.4: 331–351.
Kroll, Robert M. and Thomas R. Klassen. 2007. “Perspectives on the academic and clinical education in stuttering,” Canadian Journal of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology. 31.1: 94-100.
Haddow, Rodney, Steffen Schneider and Thomas R. Klassen. 2006. “Can decentralization alleviate labour market dysfunctions in marginal jurisdictions? Active labour market policies in Nova Scotia and Saxony-Anhalt,” Canadian Public Policy. 32.3: 317-337.
Klassen, Thomas R. and Daniel Buchanan. 2006. “Ideology, policy and economy: Liberal, New Democratic and Conservative reforms of Ontario's welfare program, 1985-2000,” Journal of Canadian Studies. 40.3: 186-210.
Klassen, Thomas R. and Daniel Buchanan. 2006. “Ideology, policy and economy: Liberal, New Democratic and Conservative reforms of Ontario's welfare program, 1985-2000,” Journal of Canadian Studies. 40.3: 186-210.
Klassen, Thomas R. and C. T. Gillin. 2005. “Legalized age discrimination,” Journal of Law and Social Policy. 30: 35-51.
Klassen, Thomas R. and Robert M. Kroll. 2005 “Opinions on stuttering and its treatment: A follow-up survey and cross-cultural comparison,” Journal of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology. 29.2: 73-82.
Schneider, Steffen, Thomas R. Klassen and Rodney Haddow. 2004. “Across the Atlantic: Labour market reforms in subnational jurisdictions of Canada and Germany,” International Journal of Canadian Studies. 29: 117-140.
Haddow, Rodney and Thomas R. Klassen. 2004. “Partisanship, institutions and public policy: The case of labour market policy in Ontario, 1990-2000,” Canadian Journal of Political Science, 37.1: 137-160.
Klassen, Thomas R. and Steffen Schneider. 2002. “Similar challenges, different solutions: Reforming labour market policies in Germany and Canada during the 1990s,” Canadian Public Policy, 28.1: 51-69.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2002. “Social distance and the negative stereotype of people who stutter,” Journal of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, 26.2: 90-99.
Cosgrave, Jim and Thomas R. Klassen. 2001. “Gambling against the state: The state and the legitimation of gambling,” Current Sociology, 49.5: 1-22.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2001. “Perceptions of people who stutter: Re-assessing the negative stereotype,” Perceptual and Motor Skills, 92: 551-559.
Klassen, Thomas R. and C.T. Gillin. 1999. “The heavy hand of the law: The Canadian Supreme Court and mandatory retirement,” Canadian Journal on Aging, 18.2: 259-276.
Carr, Paul R. and Thomas R. Klassen. 1997. “Different perceptions of race in education: Racial minority and white teachers,” Canadian Journal of Education, 22.1: 67-81.
Klassen, Thomas R. and Daniel Buchanan. 1997. “Getting it backward: Economy and welfare from 1985-95," Canadian Public Policy, 23.3: 333-338.
Carr, Paul R. and Thomas R. Klassen. 1997. “Institutional barriers to the implementation of anti-racist education: A study of a large, urban school board,” Canadian Journal of Educational Administration and Policy, 12.1: 46-68.
Klassen, Thomas R. 1996. “Organizational design and precarious values: The rise and fall of Ontario's Ministry of Skills Development,” Canadian Public Administration, 39.2: 117-135.
Carr, Paul R. and Thomas R. Klassen. 1996. “The role of racial minority teachers in anti-racist education,” Canadian Ethnic Studies, 28.2: 126-138.
Gillin, C. T. and Thomas R. Klassen. 1995. “Age discrimination and mandatory retirement policies: A comparison of labor market regulation in Canada and the United States,” Journal of Aging and Social Policy, 7.1: 85-102.
Klassen, Thomas R. 1995. “The challenge of regaining and maintaining fluency: A socio-psychological view,” Journal of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, 19.2: 97-102.
Veugelers, John W. P. and Thomas R. Klassen. 1994. “Canadian immigration policy: A reply to Foot and Simmons,” Canadian Journal of Sociology, 19.4: 535-540.
Veugelers, John W. P. and Thomas R. Klassen. 1994. “Continuity and change in Canada's unemployment-immigration linkage (1946-1993),” Canadian Journal of Sociology, 19.3: 351-369.
Klassen, Thomas. 2015. “The perceived disconnect between the classroom and the ‘real world’” University Affairs October 14. http://www.universityaffairs.ca/opinion/in-my-opinion/the-perceived-disconnect-between-the-classroom-and-the-real-world/
Klassen, Thomas. 2014. “The lost generation of university graduates” University Affairs April 2. http://www.universityaffairs.ca/the-lost-generation-of-university-graduates.aspx
Klassen, Thomas R. 2012. “Upgrade anxiety and the aging expert” Academic Matters May, 7-10. http://www.academicmatters.ca/2012/05/upgrade-anxiety-and-the-aging-expert/
Wood, Donna E. and Thomas R. Klassen. 2011. “Improving the governance of employment and training policy in Canada,” Mowat Centre Employment Insurance Task Force www.mowateitaskforce.ca/sites/default/files/Wood%20Klassen.pdf [27 pages] – September 2011
Klassen, Thomas R. 2011. “New policies for Korea’s aging labor force: The role of contractual mandatory retirement” Korea Labor Institute Issue Paper #115. Seoul: Korea Labor Institute [17 pages] http://www.kli.re.kr/kli/html_eng/08_mail/webzineboard/upfile/e_115.pdf - October 28
Hering, Martin and Thomas R. Klassen. 2010. “Is 70 the New 65? Raising the eligibility age in the Canada Pension Plan.” Mowat Centre for Policy Innovation, Toronto. www.mowatcentre.ca/pdfs/mowatResearch/28.pdf [18 pages] - November 2010
Klassen, Thomas R. 2010. “Korea: Extending working lives,” Global Brief (web exclusive), April 29. http://globalbrief.ca/blog/2010/04/29/extending-working-lives/
Klassen, Thomas R. 2010. “South Korea: Ageing tiger,” Global Brief (web exclusive), January 12. globalbrief.ca/blog/2010/01/12/south-korea-ageing-tiger/
Hering, Maring and Thomas R. Klassen. 2010. “Why we need to raise the retirement age.” Analysis and Opinion. The Mowat Centre for Policy Innovation. April 14, 2010 http://www.mowatcentre.ca/opinions.php?opinionID=33
Klassen, Thomas R. 2009. “John S. Saul: A passionate scholar,” Academic Matters, October-November, 33-34.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2008. “Academic abroad,” Academic Matters, April-May, 26-27.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2008. “Reducing poverty without major pension reforms: The Canadian case,” Global Social Security Today, winter: 2-9.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2008. “Social consensus in the process of pension reform in Canada,” Health and Social Welfare Review (South Korea), 28.1: 51-67.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2007. “Prospects for Canada’s federalism in the 21st century,” Korean Review of Canadian Studies, 13.1: 69-83.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2007. “Retirement policies for an aging society: The case of Canada,” Social Science Review (South Korea), 38.1: 103-116.
MacGregor, David and Thomas R. Klassen. 2005. “The age purge: Forced retirement and the ‘succession question’ in Canadian sociology,” Society, 20.3: 13-31.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2004. “The end of mandatory retirement and beyond,” Benefits and Pensions Monitor, 14.6: 22-23.
Klassen, Thomas R. and Jim Cosgrave. 2002. “Look who's addicted to gambling now,” Policy Options, 23.5: 43-46.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2001. “The complexity of attitudes toward people who stutter,” Proceedings of the Third World Congress on Fluency Disorders. Nijmegen, Netherlands: Nijmegen University Press, 605-609.
Gillin, C. T. and Thomas R. Klassen. 2000. “Retire mandatory retirement,” Policy Options, 21.6: 59-62.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2000. “Struggling to get it right,” Public Sector Management, 11.2: 22-23.
Klassen, Thomas R. 1999. “Job market training: The social union in practice,” Policy Options, 20.10: 40-44.
Klassen, Thomas and Suzanne LeBlanc. 1993. “Methodological issues in research on public policy: Utilizing government documents,” Society, 17.1: 9-13.
Klassen, Thomas and Suzanne LeBlanc. 1993. “Methodological issues in research on public policy: Utilizing interviews,” Society, 17.2: 21-26.
Cook, Suzanne L. Thomas R. Klassen and James. Nguygen. “Innovations: Mature workers and later life career development.” Cannexus: National Career Development Conference. Ottawa. January 25, 2016
Klassen, Thomas R. “How to conduct international collaborative research.” Graduate School of Decision Science and Business. Kyushu University, Japan, January 15, 2015.
Wood, Donna and Thomas R. Klassen. “Deficient reporting regimes in contested jurisdictional domains.” European Consortium for Political Research General Conference (ECPR). Montreal. August 28, 2015.
Klassen, Thomas R. “Reforming retirement ages in South Korea.” 10th Asia/Oceania Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics (International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics). Chiang Mai, Thailand, October 19-22, 2015.
Klassen, Thomas R. “Stasis and reform: Retirement policies in aging Japan and Korea.” Social Welfare Risks Seminar, Yonsei University. November 11, 2015.
Klassen, Thomas R. and JeungKun Kim. “Contractual mandatory retirement in Korea: Reform and stasis.” 2014 International Yonsei Public Administration Conference. Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea, June 27, 2014
Klassen, Thomas R. “The DMZ and lessons from the German experience in establishing trust between North and South Korea.” Trust Building in the Korea Peninsula. Daegu, South Korea (Kyungil University), September 18, 2014.
Klassen, Thomas R. “Lessons from the Canadian Experience on the Urban Development of Mid-sized Cities.” Strategies for Urban Development through Cultural Tourism. Ulsan, South Korea. November 4, 2014.
Klassen, Thomas R. “Economic Insecurity among Older Koreans: The Role of Contractual Mandatory Retirement.” 2014 Korea Gerontological Society Conference. Seoul, South Korea (University of Seoul), November 21, 2014.
Klassen, Thomas R. “The ageing tiger? Retirement in the context of a rapidly ageing population” 18th International Studies Symposium: Beyond Borders: Inspiring Global Dialogue in the 21st Century – The Korean Peninsula, Glendon College, York University, Toronto. April 6, 2013.
Klassen, Thomas R. “Prospects for reforming contractual mandatory retirement in Korea” 20th IIAG World Congress on Gerontology and Geriatrics, Seoul, South Korea. June 27, 2013.
Klassen, Thomas R. “New policies for Korea’s aging labor force: The role of contractual mandatory retirement” Korea Labor Institute Seminar Series. Seoul, South Korea, August 23, 2011.
Klassen, Thomas R. “The elimination of contractual mandatory retirement at age 65 in Canada: unfinished and still contentious” Canadian Conference on Elder Law. October 29, 2010. Toronto.
Klassen, Thomas R. and Donna Wood. “Getting it Right: But for Whom?” Understanding and Evaluating New Intergovernmental Accountability Regimes: Canada in Comparative Perspective. University of Toronto, February 5, 2010.
Klassen, Thomas R. and Donna Wood. “Getting it Right: But for Whom? Federal-Provincial Accountability Regimes in Labour Market Policy”, British Columbia Political Studies Association Annual Conference, May 7, 2010, Vancouver.
Hering, Martin and Thomas R. Klassen. “Raising the Eligibilty Age in the Canada Pension Plan and the Quebec Pension Plan”, C. D. Howe Institute Policy Seminar, June 2, 2010. Toronto.
Klassen, Thomas R. “The aging Korean tiger and the global economy: Living longer, working longer and earning less” Global Asia and the Global Economic Crisis, York University, April 8, 2009.
Klassen, Thomas R. “The aging tiger: South Korea’s income security policy for the elderly” World Congress for Korean Politics and Society. Seoul, South Korea. August 21, 2009.
Klassen, Thomas R. “The aging tiger: South Korea’s income security policy for the elderly” Challenges, Dynamics and Implications of Welfare Regime Change in a Comparative Perspective: A Dialogue between Post-Soviet and East Asian Scholars, University of Toronto, February 6, 2009.
Klassen, Thomas R. “Old-age income security in Canada: Balancing the welfare state and a liberal market economy” International Symposium on Fighting Old-age Poverty, Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, July 16-17, 2008, Seoul.
Klassen, Thomas R. “Increasing the age of retirement: Policy reforms in South Korea, Germany and Canada from 1995 to 2005” Shaping Asian Public Administration: Challenges and Opportunities, Korea University, February 24, 2007, Seoul.
Wood, Donna and Thomas R. Klassen. “Intergovernmental relations post devolution: Labour market policy in Canada and the United Kingdom 1996-2006” (with D. Wood), British Columbia Political Studies Association Annual Conference, May 5, 2007, Vancouver.
Wood, Donna and Thomas R. Klassen. “Devolution and the governance of active labour market policy: Lessons from Canada and the United Kingdom” (with D. Wood), ASPEN (Active Social Policies European Network)/ ETUI (European Trade Union Institute) Conference, October 21, 2006, Brussels.
Wood, Donna and Thomas R. Klassen. “Devolution and the governance of active labour market policy: Lessons from Canada and the United Kingdom”, International Political Science Association World Congress, July 11, 2006, Fukuoka, Japan.
Kroll, Robert and Thomas R. Klassen “Ensuring the effectiveness of academic and clinical preparation for stuttering treatment” 5th World Congress on Fluency Disorders, July 26, Dublin, Ireland.
Klassen, Thomas R. “Retirement policies for an aging society: The case of Canada” International Seminar on Aging and Health Policy, Seoul National University, November 15, 2006, Seoul.
Klassen, Thomas R. “Social consensus in the process of pension reform in Canada” Aging Population and Pension Reform, Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, December 19, 2006, Seoul.
Hering, Martin and Thomas R. Klassen “Welfare regimes and retirement ages: Reform options and policy choices in Canada, Germany and Korea, 1995-2005”, American Political Science Association Annual Meeting, September 1, 2006, Philadelphia.
Hering, Martin and Thomas R. Klassen “Welfare regimes and retirement ages: Reform options and policy choices in Canada, Germany and Korea, 1995-2005”, Canadian Political Science Annual General Meeting, June 3, 2006, Toronto.
Klassen, Thomas R. and David MacGregor. “Forced retirement and the succession question”, Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association Annual Meeting, May 31, 2005, London, Ontario.
Kroll, Robert and Thomas R. Klassen. “The effectiveness of academic and clinical preparation for stuttering treatment”, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, November 20, 2005, San Diego, California.
Klassen, Thomas R. “Forced retirement: The tension between collective and individual rights” Canadian Anthropology Society Annual Conference, May 8, 2004, London, Ontario.
Petrunik. Michael and Thomas R. Klassen. “A sociological analysis of stuttering: From clinical conceptions to self-help/advocacy”, 4th World Congress on Fluency Disorders, August 12, 2003, Montreal.
Schneider, Steffen and Thomas R. Klassen. “Decentralization and the status quo in Ontario and Bavaria: Variations in active labour market policy reform in subnational jurisdictions in Canada and Germany”, Canadian Political Science Annual General Meeting, May 31, 2003, Halifax.
Cosgrave, James and Thomas R. Klassen. “Governing the gambling citizen: A Canadian focus”, 12th International Conference on Gambling and Risk Taking, May 26, 2003, Vancouver.
Haddow, Rodney and Thomas R. Klassen. “Labour market policy in Ontario: The effect of partisanship and institutions”, Canadian Political Science Annual General Meeting, May 31, 2002, Toronto.
Klassen, Thomas R. “The complexity of attitudes toward people who stutter,” 3rd World Congress on Fluency Disorders, August 10, 2000, Nyborg, Denmark.
Klassen, Thomas R. “Insecure, shy and withdrawn? Not! The complexity of attitudes toward people who stutter,” Canadian Association for People Who Stutter Conference, August 19, 1999, Montreal.
Klassen, Thomas R. “What do they hear: Differences in perceptions among stutterers and non-stutterers,” 5th World Congress for People Who Stutter, July 8, 1998, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Carr, Paul and Thomas R. Klassen. “Implementing anti-racist education in Toronto: Barriers and opportunities”, American Sociological Association, August 11, 1997, Toronto.
Klassen, Thomas R. and Samia Makhamra. “Stereotyping persons with speech disabilities: Does the negative stereotype apply in day-to-day interactions”, 2nd World Congress on Fluency Disorders, August 4, 1997, San Francisco.
Gillin, C. T. and Thomas R. Klassen. “The heavy hand of the law: The Canadian Supreme Court and mandatory retirement”, Canadian Law and Society Association and the Canadian Association of Law Teachers, June 3, 1996, St. Catherines, Ontario.
Kroll, Robert M. and Thomas R. Klassen. 2007. “Ensuring the effectiveness of academic and clinical preparation for stuttering treatment,” Research, Treatment, and Self-Help in Fluency Disorders: New Horizons (Proceedings of the Fifth World Congress on Fluency Disorders). International Fluency Association, 292-297.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2001. “The complexity of attitudes toward people who stutter,” Proceedings of the Third World Congress on Fluency Disorders. Nijmegen, Netherlands: Nijmegen University Press, 605-609.
Klassen, Thomas R. 2006. “The minister asks…”: A simulation of deputy minister leadership. Institute of Public Administration of Canada Case Study #6.02. Toronto: Institute of Public Administration of Canada.
Battams, Nathan. 2014. “Review of Thomas R. Klassen, ‘Retirement in Canada,’” Transition, 44. 2:8. http://www.vanierinstitute.ca/include/get.php?nodeid=3769&format=download
Meuronen, Markus and Pauliina Raento. 2011. “Review of James F. Cosgrave and Thomas R. Klassen, eds. ‘Casino state: Legalized gambling in Canada,’” The Canadian Geographer, 55.2: 266-267.
Taylor, Jonathan. 2011. “Review of James F. Cosgrave and Thomas R. Klassen, eds. ‘Casino state: Legalized gambling in Canada,’” Journal of Gambling Issues, 25:136-139. http://jgi.camh.net/doi/pdf/10.4309/jgi.2011.25.11
Harrigan, Kevin. 2010. “Review of James F. Cosgrave and Thomas R. Klassen, eds. ‘Casino state: Legalized gambling in Canada,’” Canadian Criminal Justice Association http://www.ccja-acjp.ca/en/cjcr300/cjcr363.html
Burke, Anne. 2010. “Review of James F. Cosgrave and Thomas R. Klassen, eds. ‘Casino state: Legalized gambling in Canada,’” The Prairie Journal. http://prairiejournal.org/casino_state.htm
Borrell, Jennifer. 2009. “Review of James F. Cosgrave and Thomas R. Klassen, eds. ‘Casino state: Legalized gambling in Canada,’” Canadian Journal of Sociology, 34.4: 1186-1189.
W. A Bogart. 2009. “’This dreadful vice’ Is it gambling or government addiction to gambling that’s the problem?” Review of James F. Cosgrave and Thomas R. Klassen, eds. ‘Casino state: Legalized gambling in Canada,’ Literary Review of Canada, 17.1:26-27.
Reshef, Yonatan. 2008. “Review of Rodney Haddow and Thomas R. Klassen, ‘Partisanship, globalization and Canadian labour market policy: Four provinces in comparative perspective,’” Journal of Labor Research, 29:88–97.
Peters, John. 2007. “Review of Rodney Haddow and Thomas R. Klassen, ‘Partisanship, globalization and Canadian labour market policy: Four provinces in comparative perspective,’” International Review of Public Administration, 12.1:159-161.
Gomez, Rafael. 2007. “Review of Rodney Haddow and Thomas R. Klassen, ‘Partisanship, globalization and Canadian labour market policy: Four provinces in comparative perspective,’” Industrial and Labor Relations Review, 60.4: 590-590.
Urmetzer, Brian. 2007. “Review of Rodney Haddow and Thomas R. Klassen, ‘Partisanship, globalization and Canadian labour market policy: Four provinces in comparative perspective,’” Canadian Public Policy, 33.1: 120-121.
Béland, Daniel. 2006. “Review of C.T. Gillin, David MacGregor and Thomas R. Klassen (eds.), ‘Time’s Up! Mandatory Retirement in Canada,’” Canadian Journal on Aging, 25.3: 331-332.
Robinson, David. 2002. “Review of Thomas R. Klassen, ‘Precarious values: Organizations, politics and labour market policy in Ontario,’” Labour, 50 (Fall): 319-321.
Martinello, Felice, 2001. “Review of Thomas R. Klassen, ‘Precarious values: Organizations, politics and labour market policy in Ontario,’” Canadian Public Policy, 27.2: 243-245.
van der Berg, Axel. 2001. "Review of Thomas R. Klassen, ’Precarious values: Organizations, politics and labour market policy in Ontario,’” Canadian Journal of Sociology Online, May-June, www.arts.ualberta.ca/cjscopy/reviews/precarious.html.
Smith, Michael R. 2000. “Review of Thomas R. Klassen, ‘Precarious values: Organizations, politics and labour market policy in Ontario,’” Canadian Public Administration, 43.3: 374-376.
Current Courses
| Term | Course Number | Section | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall/Winter 2024 | GS/PPAL6230 3.0 | B | Topics in Public Policy | SEMR |
| Fall 2024 | AP/PPAS3761 3.0 | A | Canada's Social Policy | LECT |
Upcoming Courses
| Term | Course Number | Section | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall/Winter 2024 | GS/PPAL6230 3.0 | B | Topics in Public Policy | SEMR |
