Vice-President Research & Innovation Robert Haché officially launched a series of community consultations regarding a new Strategic Research Plan for the University at an open forum held last Tuesday at the Keele campus.

The community consultations are an important part of a process to develop the plan. More than 150 members of the York community attended the open forum to discuss the plan that will articulate the priorities and vision for the future of York research over the next five years. The open forum provided an opportunity for community members to learn more about consultation process and the goals for the plan.

More than 150 members of the York community attended the open forum, which was held in the University's Senate Chamber

In addition, there was a lively, open and engaging discussion that saw participants share their thoughts and concerns.  

Among the comments offered by those present at the open forum was the aspiration that the new Strategic Research Plan would help improve York's research reputation. Participants articulated the need to develop a strategy that empowers researchers by providing them with appropriate opportunities to focus their attention on research. Many of those welcomed the transparency of the open consultation process, highlighted the need for inclusiveness in defining research areas and stressed the importance of equitable research support. 

“York's new Strategic Research Plan will help us achieve our vision of becoming a more recognized research intensive University – an ambition reflected in the White Paper and University Academic Plan,” said Haché.  

Haché chats with a community member

He explained that the goals of the consultation process are to engage the York community in an open, collaborative and ongoing discussion about the University’s core research values to develop a plan that is meaningful to the community.

Haché was joined in the open forum by York President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri, Strategic Research Plan Facilitators Celia Haig-Brown, who is a professor in the Faculty of Education, and Gary Miller, and instructor in the MBA program at the Schulich School of Business and Schulich Executive Education Centre, along with members of the Strategic Research Plan Advisory Committee.

As part of the ongoing nature of the consultation process, York students, staff and faculty are invited to continue the discussion with Haché through upcoming workshops and community chats. The workshops will seek to examine York’s core values with respect to research, understand perceptions and prioritize commitments to the support of research. 

The workshops will be held on: 

To RSVP for the consultation workshops, click here. For more information on the community chats and the Strategic Research Plan, click here.

Republished courtesy of YFile– York University’s daily e-bulletin.