A major awards advisory committee has been created to improve the chances of York faculty winning external awards.
The committee, which will nominate faculty members based on awards available, was created due to the limit on the number of candidates the university can nominate for external awards.
Robert Haché, vice-president of research and innovation, says his mandate is to grow the intensity and recognition of the research at York.
“With this group, we wanted to create an open and transparent process of nominations that identifies those individuals that will fit into those available slots, because we usually have a lot more faculty than we can nominate,” says Haché.
“The advisory committee will be populated by senior researchers from around the university, who would help guide nominees and provide advice on how to prepare best for nomination.”
According to the Annual Research Report, released every year by the vp of research and innovation, the research done at the university continues to grow in terms of both recognition and funding.
Haché says this growth in research is due in part to a campus-wide consultation process that occurred in 2013, which surveyed the university to determine its strengths and weaknesses.
The report, which is available online, is compiled using information from agencies, grants, and councils, and compares York to other post-secondary institutions.
Haché says there is a steady progression in research happening at York and the recognition it is receiving in the global community.
“Research funding is rising, research impact is continuing to grow [and] the number of researchers holding grants is continuing to grow as well,” says Haché.
Haché says what matters most is the reputation of the quality of the research done at York, which outpaces the volume of the amount of research.
Although York ranks 22nd among Canada’s top research universities, according to Research Infosource, it has the number 11 spot for its publication impact.
“We are inappropriately recognized for the quality of the research we put out there and the amount of funding that comes into the university, so regardless of if the research happening at York is big or small, it’s the quality that matters.”
Hamid Adem
News Editor
