York University is supporting a dynamic range of research led by Black faculty members whose projects aim to reshape scholarship across disciplines.
Nine researchers across four Faculties have received more than $223,000 in funding through the University’s Black Research Seed Fund, backing work that challenges systemic barriers, centres Black experiences and expands the boundaries of knowledge creation.
These newly funded projects span a range of disciplines and themes, including: the socioeconomic impact of the Kainji Dam in West Africa; the development of large language model-based tools to build public trust in autonomous driving systems by addressing the safety of Black pedestrians; the creation of a global anthology of classical vocal music from the African diaspora; and an examination of the insurgent archive of Black studies at York.
“York University remains steadfast in its commitment to research excellence that is inclusive, equitable and transformative,” says Amir Asif, vice-president research and innovation. “The York Black Research Seed Fund supports Black scholars whose work centres Black experiences, addresses systemic barriers and contributes to critical knowledge across fields ranging from cultural history and the performing arts to technology, the environment and public policy. These projects reflect York’s ongoing dedication to fostering a diverse research community and creating lasting scholarly and social impact.”
The nine recipients are:
- Damilola Adebayo, professor, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS) – Taming the Niger River: The Kainji Dam and Socioeconomic Development in Twentieth-Century West Africa
- Alvine Boaye Belle, professor, Lassonde School of Engineering – A novel LLM-based approach to build human trust in the safety of ML-enabled autonomous driving systems
- Melissa Davis, professor, School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) – Voices of the African Diaspora: Building an Anthology of Classical Vocal Musicfrom the African Diaspora for Global Study and Performance
- Desiree de Jesus, professor, LA&PS – From Archive to Imagination: Building Canada’s Future with Black Histories
- Syreeta Hector, professor, AMPD – Bridging the Gaps: Elevating the Performing Arts and Education by Creating Pathways for the Advancement of Black Females into Leadership Roles
- Ola Mohammed, professor, LA&PS – From the Margins to the Major: The Insurgent Archive of Black Studies at York
- Salewa Olawoye, professor, LA&PS – Money Demystified: An Inclusive Monetary Theory
- Adeyemi Olusola, professor, Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change – Hidden Figures: Mapping Flood Exposure Inequities in the Black Creek River Basin, Toronto, Canada
- Jamie Robinson, professor, AMPD – 1184: A Digital & Theatrical Exploration of Pluralism
“York has made significant gains in diversifying our faculty complement, but this has to be matched by resources to ensure these scholars thrive, particularly in the midst of persistent and systemic inequities,” says Laina Bay-Cheng, vice-president equity, people and culture. “These seed grants demonstrate the University’s investment in Black faculty members both as colleagues whose careers we wish to support and as scholars whose ideas and insights benefit us all.”
About the Black Research Seed Fund
Established in 2022 with support from the Office of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation (VPRI), the Office of the Vice-President, Equity, People and Culture (EP&C), and in consultation with Professor Carl James, the fund was created to advance the University's commitment to addressing systemic anti-Black racism and white supremacy in academia. The funding is part of York’s Action Plan on Black Inclusion and Framework on Black Inclusion, which are intended to help address systemic anti-Black racism and white supremacy within academia.
The institutional grants support early career researchers and foundational and pilot research leading to larger or continuing projects. The primary intent of this seed grant is to support the development of Black scholars’ research careers and Black scholarship in general. The York Black Research Seed Fund first launched in February 2022, with a total of $150,000 of funding awarded to six scholars in June 2022 and over $150,000 of funding awarded to six scholars in May 2024.