Good Idea
YORK'S NEW OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

AS YORK'S first-ever vice-president of Research and Innovation, professor Stan Shapson said his new job is a testament to York's commitment to its strengths in research and innovation.

"One of our priorities is to enhance the University's profile through increased participation in, support for, and success in high-quality research," he said.

A York alumnus himself - he got his PhD here - Shapson noted that he directly benefitted from York's outstanding research traditions. "I'm excited to be given the opportunity to work closely with faculty, students, and staff to build on our considerable research strengths," said Shapson.

The Vice-President (Research & Innovation) will oversee the intensification of research activities at York and assume responsibility for more than 20 Research Centres located at the University.

Shapson's appointment is a response to new directions in government policy on the funding of university research at both the federal and provincial levels. The introduction of programs such as the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and the Ontario Research Development Challenge Fund (ORDCF) require universities to establish partnerships with public and private sector organizations and to raise matching funds.

Shapson was formerly York's associate vice-president (strategic academic initiatives), and served for eight years as dean of the Faculty of Education. He is a graduate of York's PhD program in psychology and a professor in the Faculty of Education and has published widely.