The LA&PS Research Office is committed to research excellence, community-engaged scholarship, and supporting knowledge mobilization and research impact.
In this "Research in Review" series, we’re celebrating significant research achievements for 2020-21, including major awards, external grants and funding for a new generation of emerging researchers.
Over the past year, LA&PS has demonstrated its commitment to reconciliation, equity, diversity, and inclusion through the accomplishments of researchers across the Faculty, and through the introduction of strategies and funding initiatives. Here, we highlight the introduction of the LA&PS Black Scholars Research Fund (BSRF) - a new support for research projects from qualified applicants who self-identify as Black peoples of African Descent.
On September 1, 2020, Professor Andrea Davis, from the Department of Humanities, began her year-long term as Special Advisor on LA&PS' Anti-Black Racism Strategy, a position that was developed by LA&PS Dean's Office as part of the Faculty's comprehensive response to combating anti-Black racism.
During her time in the role, Davis worked with Ravi De Costa, Associate Dean, Research & Graduate Studies, to create the BSRF, which disbursed $40,000 of research funding for Black contract faculty and Black YUFA members in a CLA, assistant or associate position. This inaugural fund was established to support original and innovative research project ideas from emerging and established Black scholars in LA&PS. It is intended to facilitate discussions and action on anti-Black racism and community engagement and action for staff, students and Faculty.
"The Black Scholars Research Fund was launched in 2020 as part of our collective response to the deep inequities faced by Black scholars and was aimed particularly at more junior colleagues," explained De Costa. "The initial response to the program was excellent and we are very pleased that we are now able to make this a permanent opportunity for LA&PS researchers."
"Supporting the implementation of the Black Scholars Research fund and getting to see the important, cutting-edge research being done by colleagues was such a privilege. This program is critical to building a more inclusive research culture in our Faculty," Davis underscored.
Andrea Davis, Associate Professor,
Department of Humanities
Tameka Samuels-Jones, Assistant Professor, School of Administrative Studies
Tameka Samuels-Jones, Assistant Professor, School of Administrative Studies, successfully received the inaugural BSRF. Through a collaboration with the York University-TD Community Engagement Centre (CEC), Samuels-Jones explained that the BSRF grant will advance the project's goals by providing research opportunities to York University students from the Jane/Finch community.
She explained: "The anticipated benefits of this research are inclusive and innovative ways in which York University can prioritize its sustainability initiatives to meet the needs of the Jane/Finch community."
After two rounds of proposals, the BSRF will be established as a core internal grant with a rolling deadline in 2022. More information about the BSRF is available on the LA&PS Internal Grants webpage.
For details on other research achievements from 2020-21, head to our accolades page.