York University’s Chairholders are recognized as both established and emerging research leaders in their fields. Fostering their world-leading expertise on 21st century issues supports the University’s mission to be in service of society and the public good.
Featured Research Chairs

Lorne Foster
YRC in Black Canadian Studies and Human RightsFoster, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, is the Director of the Institute for Social Research and the Director of the Diversity & Human Rights Certificate. His work on public policy formation and scholarship on the human rights approach to inclusive organizational change ranks among the best in its field.
Steven J. Hoffman (on Secondment)
Dahdaleh Distinguished Chair in Global Governance & Legal EpidemiologyHoffman is a Professor in the Faculty of Health and is cross-appointed as Professor in Osgoode Hall Law School. He is an international lawyer who specializes in global health law, global governance and institutional design. His research integrates analytical, empirical and big data approaches to craft global regulatory strategies that better address transnational health threats, social inequalities and human rights challenges.

Canada Research Chairs
The Canada Research Chairs (CRC) Program is a Government of Canada initiative and stands at the centre of a national strategy to make Canada one of the world's top countries in research and development.
The federal government makes significant investments each year to attract and retain some of the world’s most accomplished and promising research talent.

York Research Chairs
York Research Chairs are the University’s internal counterpart to the national CRC program and represent a diverse group of groundbreaking researchers dedicated to the pursuit and dissemination of new knowledge and discovery.


