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Faculty Member

Dr. John Fisher

Biography

Dr. John R. Fisher is a professor in the Department of Emergency Services at Utah Valley University. Before coming to UVU, he taught management and communications at Northwest Missouri State University, Boise State University, Athabasca University, and the University of Alberta. John began his career as a newspaper reporter/photographer, reporting the court and police beats and covering emergency services. For eight years, he was a public administrator in the Alberta government, working in policy analysis, public information, and legislative affairs. As a disaster team member and PIO for the Red Cross, he has been deployed to several national disasters. He has a BA and an MA from Brigham Young University and a PhD from the University of Alberta. His principal areas of research are mass media coverage of disaster public policy, disaster preparedness and community resilience, and applied learning online for adult learners. He was a Fulbright Scholar in Kosovo at the Kosovo Academy of Public Safety in 2018-2019.

Education

PhD, University of Alberta, 1988

Major: Educational Administration

Instructor Certificate , Lethbridge Community College, 1983

Major: Education

MA, Brigham Young University, 1975

Major: Communications

BA, Brigham Young Universitry, 1972

Major: French/Journalism

Teaching

PADM 6040

Organizational Behavior in Public Administration, Summer 2026

ESMG 3150

Principles of Management for the Emergency Services, Summer 2026

ESMG 4350

Disaster Planning and Business Continuity, Spring 2026

ESMG 4810R

Emergency Services Internship, Spring 2026

ESMG 4810R

Emergency Services Internship, Spring 2026

ESMG 4810R

Emergency Services Internship, Spring 2026

ESMG 4250G

Humanitarian Management and Operations, Spring 2026

ESMG 3150

Principles of Management for the Emergency Services, Spring 2026

ESMG 3150

Principles of Management for the Emergency Services, Spring 2026

PADM 6020

Public Administration Policy and Evaluation, Spring 2026

Presentations

Falk, Louis K. , Fisher, John R., 2026 IABD Conference , "ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ADOPTION_ CHEERS OR CHILLS?", International Academy for Business Disciplines , Tempe, Arizona. (April 9, 2026)
Fisher, John (Co-Presenter), Goralski, Margaret (Co-Presenter), Falk , Louis K (Co-Presenter), 2026 IABD Conference , "LEVERAGING AI TO HELP STUDENTS BECOME RESPONSIBLE, ETHICAL, AND COMPETENT LEADERS", International Academy for Business Disciplines , Tempe, Arizona. (April 9, 2026)
Fisher, John R (Presenter & Author), Lindquist, Chris (Presenter & Author), IABD 2026 Conference, "Teaching Artificial Intelligence in Emergency Management_ Overcoming Access and Cost Barriers. ", International Academy for Business Disciplines, Tempe, Arizona. (April 9, 2026)
Fisher, John (Presenter & Author), Symposium on Teaching and Learning , "From Theory to Practice Online_ Designing Discussion-Based Applied Learning", Office of Teaching and Learning , Utah Valley University . (March 26, 2026)
Fisher, John (Presenter & Author), Lindquist, Chris (Co-Author), 2026 CALHE Conference, " Applied Learning Through a Full-Scale Emergency Shelter Exercise_ University–Community Collaboration in Emergency Management Education", Conference on Applied Learning in Higher Education , Missouri Western University. (March 7, 2026)
Fisher, John (Presenter & Author), Azemi, Ferid (Presenter & Author), 2026 CALHE Conference, "From Theory to Practice Online_ Designing Discussion-Based Applied Learning", Conference on Applied Learning in Higher Education , Missouri Western University . (March 7, 2026)

Scholarly/Creative Works

Fisher, John , Halkia, Georgia , Azemi, Ferid , "CONCEPTUAL TRANSFER IN EMERGENCY EDUCATION_ EXAMINING STUDENT DISCUSSION POSTS AS EVIDENCE OF APPLIED LEARNING" (Issue: 1, vol. 12). St.Joseph, Missouri: Journal of Applied Learning in Higher Education . https_//www.missouriwestern.edu/appliedlearning/jalhe/
Fisher, John , Lindquist, Chris , "Technology Integration, Artificial Intelligence, and Experiential Learning in Emergency Management Education_ A Comparative Review of University Programs," (vol. 20). USA: Journal of Security, Intelligence, and Resilience Education (JSIRE). jsire.org
Fisher, John , Falk, Louis K, (2026) "Faculty Use of AI in Research and Writing" (Issue: 2025, vol. 23). USA: Competition Forum .
Fisher, John , Jensen, Francine , (2026) "Book Review_ Using AI in Academic Writing and Research_ A Complete Guide to Effective and Ethical Academic AI" (Issue: 3/4, vol. 12). USA: Quarterly Review of Business Disciplines (QRBD). https://www.qrbd.org/QRBD/Issues/QRBDfeb26.pdf
Fisher, John , (2025) "Open-Ended Questions_ Enhancing Writing and Learning Processes. " (Issue: 1, vol. 11). St. Joseph, Missouri: Journal of Applied Learning in Higher Education . https://www.missouriwestern.edu/appliedlearning/wp-content/uploads/sites/116/2025/10/JALHE_2025_V11_a7p75-94.pdf
Falk, Louis K. , Fisher, John , (2025) "The Use of AI in an Academic Setting" (Issue: 1 & 2, vol. 22). Competition Forum.

Awards

Senior Fellow Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)

Higher Education Academy - UK - May 11, 2026

The Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) is an internationally recognized professional distinction awarded by Advance HE in the United Kingdom to educators who demonstrate sustained leadership and influence in higher education teaching and learning. Senior Fellowship recognizes individuals who not only demonstrate effective and inclusive teaching practice, but who also mentor colleagues, lead curriculum or instructional innovation, contribute to institutional improvement, and support student success beyond their own classroom. The designation is aligned with Descriptor 3 of the Professional Standards Framework (PSF 2023), which emphasizes leadership, professional impact, and advancement of teaching excellence across higher education environments.

The SFHEA credential is widely respected internationally as evidence of advanced professional practice in university teaching, curriculum development, faculty mentoring, and educational leadership. Recipients demonstrate sustained contributions to improving learning experiences, supporting colleagues, and advancing scholarship and innovation in higher education.

Best Paper

International Academy for Business Disciplines (IABD) - April 10, 2026

At the Gala Dinner of the 2026 Conference of the International Academy for Business Disciplines held on April 10, 2026, in Tempe, Dr. John Fisher of Utah Valley University and co-author Dr. Chris Lindquist received a 2026 Best Paper Award for their paper titled “Teaching Artificial Intelligence in Emergency Management_ Overcoming Access and Cost Barriers.” The award was formally announced during the conference Gala Dinner and published in the official conference program.

The paper examined strategies for integrating artificial intelligence into emergency management education while addressing challenges related to software access, institutional costs, and equitable student participation. The study emphasized practical approaches for using low-cost and accessible AI tools to support learning, research, communication, and emergency management decision-making within higher education settings.

The recognition highlighted ongoing efforts at Utah Valley University to explore innovative instructional methods and applied uses of artificial intelligence in emergency services and public administration education.

Best Conference Paper Award

EAE Research Institute for Business Trends (Barcelona) - October 20, 2023

Fisher, J. R., EAE Research Institute for Business Trends, "Best Conference Paper Award "HOW AI CAN IMPROVE DISASTER RESPONSE AND HELP KEEP PEOPLE SAFE"," EAE Business School, Barcelona. (October 20, 2023).
Artificial intelligence has the potential to enhance disaster response by expediting damage assessment, monitoring social media for prompt aid delivery, and improving the efficiency of aid distribution. AI can also help prepare the public for emergencies and improve community resilience during recovery following a disaster. Public information is the key to successful individual and community preparedness and resilience. In this study, we interviewed emergency managers and public information officers in USA and Kosovo to determine how they are using artificial intelligence and get their views about the future of AI in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery and public safety protection from all forms of hazards. AI has been used for several years in disaster response, but it is only now being considered for public awareness and preparedness.

Appreciation

University Surgery Hospital, Skopje, North Macedonia - October 14, 2023

In cooperation with the Balkans Emergency Preparedness Agency and LDS Charities, I assisted in obtaining grants for the purchase of equipment and other hospital supplies and materials. The award says, "With our greatest appreciation for your generosity, which has left an indelible mark on our hospital and the lives it services, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your dedication and for making a difference for so many of our patients."

Runner up - Flexible Teaching Awards - Best Design Online

UVU Flexible Learning Council - March 5, 2021

Thank you for applying for the Flexible Teaching Awards – Best Design_ Online. Your course was a finalist for consideration and selected as one of the top two courses within the College of Health and Public Service for 2020. This selection was done through a quality review of your course and consideration by peer faculty.

Service Award

Tarkio College - September 12, 2020

Assisted in the establishment of technical and trade programs and the state certification of the Tarkio Technology Institute.