Established in 2022, Y-EMERGE is a pan-university research institute at York University focusing on science, technology, and human and social aspects of disaster and emergency management. It brings together researchers from several faculties with common interests in disaster and emergency management-related research to enhance people's safety and security.
Y-EMERGE will build on York’s exceptional expertise to develop, grow, and sustain transformative and multidisciplinary research and teaching in transformative disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.
Y-EMERGE DIRECTOR
We all see the profound the impact of disasters around the world, from pandemics and cyber attacks to floods and earthquakes. It’s critical to come together to reduce these risks, protect those most vulnerable, and to build a resilient future for all.
We invite you to join Y-EMERGE, whether as a student in our Early Career Network; as a member researcher; by sharing your expertise in the Canadian Journal of Emergency Management (CJEM); as a practitioner to collaborate on real-world problems; or by participating in our affiliated training and degree programs.
Doing better at mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery requires a whole of society approach, and Y-EMERGE is eager to support you in any disaster, emergency, and crisis-related opportunities.
Professor Eric B. Kennedy
Director of Y-EMERGE
Open Positions and Opportunities
Important Links
- Y-EMERGE publication platform-CJEM
- About Canadian Journal of Emergency Management (CJEM)
- Y-EMERGE Monthly Newsletter
- PhD Program in Disaster & Emergency Management
- Research Services Office
- Job Opportunities in Research
- Grants & Applications
- Research Ethics
Our Mission
Transformative & Interdisciplinary
Y-EMERGE will transform the way societies understand, conceptualize, analyze, manage, and govern crises, disasters, and emergencies. YEMERGE will foster interdisciplinary collaborations & real-world and need-driven research.
Partnership & Community Engagement
Y-EMERGE will transform the way societies understand, conceptualize, analyze, manage, and govern crises, disasters, and emergencies. YEMERGE will foster interdisciplinary collaborations & real-world and need-driven research.
Knowledge Mobilization & Mentoring
Y-EMERGE will transform the way societies understand, conceptualize, analyze, manage, and govern crises, disasters, and emergencies. YEMERGE will foster interdisciplinary collaborations & real-world and need-driven research.
On September 29, 2025
Professor Ali Asgary was featured in the Stratford Beacon Herald for leading drone operations during an emergency aviation simulation at Stratford Municipal Airport. He highlighted the advantages of drones in search-and-rescue, including faster coverage, effectiveness in low-light conditions, and access to areas cut off by disasters such as floods. Dr. Asgary also noted that York University is developing specialized training courses to expand Canada’s capacity in drone-assisted emergency response. Read More
On October 15, 2025
Y-EMERGE Members, Professors Harris Ali and Roger Keil were featured as co-authors in the journal City. Their research highlights how infectious diseases such as COVID-19 have had disproportionate impacts on communities living at the urban periphery, including migrant workers, First Nations reserves, and informal settlements. The study emphasizes that top-down responses often overlook these vulnerable areas and calls for more inclusive, community-driven approaches, improved infrastructure, and governance that address long-standing social and spatial inequalities. Read More
On October 13, 2025
Professor Ali Asgary was featured as a co-author in The Conversation.The article examines how public and media attention toward rapid-onset disasters like wildfires and earthquakes often overshadows slower, long-term crises such as droughts, climate change, and environmental degradation. The authors argue that this imbalance affects preparedness and policy priorities, emphasizing the need for more equitable attention to all types of disasters and for greater investment in prevention, resilience, and social equity. Read More
On September 24, 2025
Professor Kelly Thomson was recognized in the journal Academia Revista Latinoamericana de Administración (ARLA). Her work appeared in a special section on qualitative accounting research, which brings together scholars from around the world to study how accounting connects to social issues like geography, gender, and income. Read More
On September 21, 2025
Professor Mark Winfield was featured in Now Toronto, commenting on Canada’s stalled progress toward its 2030 climate targets. He noted that while Canada may face limited legal consequences under the Paris Agreement, failure to meet commitments in the Net Zero Accountability Act could trigger domestic accountability measures. Dr. Winfield warned that recent wildfires are “just the beginning,” emphasizing that rising emissions and missed reduction goals signal that Canada is not moving in the right direction on climate action. Read More
On September 20, 2025
Professor Yvonne Su was featured in PressReader, reflecting on the rise of Canada First rallies. She explained that such nationalist movements risk fostering social exclusion and division. According to Dr. Su, this rhetoric challenges Canada’s commitments to equity and inclusion, and could deepen political and social fractures across the country. She emphasized the importance of safeguarding social cohesion and justice in Canadian society. Read More