Research in Focus is a YFile series that explores the vibrant research landscape of York University’s Organized Research Units (ORUs).
These centres of research excellence serve as dynamic hubs where interdisciplinary experts collaborate with partners to tackle some of the globe’s most pressing challenges. Each edition invites readers to explore the transformative work undertaken at York University through a Q-and-A with ORU directors.
This edition explores the mission and impacts of The Centre for Vision Research (CVR) and features Director Robert Allison, a professor in the Lassonde School of Engineering.
Q: What is the mission of your ORU and its core areas of research?
A: The CVR pursues world-class, interdisciplinary research and training in visual science and its applications. We study all aspects of what it means for humans, animals and machines to see the world around us. We focus on vision as a system, but take a comprehensive approach that considers molecular biology, genetics, behaviour and computer vision. Our core techniques include visual psychophysics, visual neuroscience and computer vision with applications as diverse as health, human performance, responsible artificial intelligence, and visual arts.
Q: How does your ORU foster collaboration and partnerships to enhance research impact?
A: The CVR is deeply collaborative and interdisciplinary. Our faculty, student and staff members come together from eight different University departments and six Faculties. To foster collaboration and exchange of ideas we act as a hub and community to collaborate on projects, grants and more. Additionally, members regularly get together to host events such as workshops, seminars and our biennial international conference. Our conference bring the best researchers in the world to York to foster collaboration and allow us to showcase the activities and accomplishments of the centre to the broader vision research community.
Q: What real-world challenges is your ORU working to address and how does it align with York’s institutional priorities?
A: Many of our members tackle real world challenges as well as make advances in basic science. Current work in the centre addresses virtual and augmented reality, inclusive design, vision health and industrial applications. For example, one project is leveraging augmented reality systems to build and maintain memory capacity in dementia and another is studying how implicit AI racial bias can affected automated chest x-ray interpretation.
Q: What innovative approaches or methodologies distinguish your ORU’s research?
A: Our methods are as diverse as our members, but our strengths include system level approaches to vision, consideration of complex, real-world scenes and stimuli, and flexible and innovative interdisciplinary approaches combining behavioural studies, neurophysiology, and computational methods. CVR is unique in having researchers consider similar problems from different perspectives, while addressing them with multiple coordinated approaches – ranging from electrophysiology to computer modeling to philosophy.
Q: What accomplishments or upcoming projects can you highlight and how do you see your ORU shaping the future?
A: The CVR was central to two key, multi-million dollar research projects supported by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund, namely Vision: Science to Applications (VISTA) and Connected Minds. These are the biggest research grants ever awarded to York University and have provided exceptional opportunities to expand the CVR and enrich our programs and activities. This success has positioned us to make innovative advances for years to come.
Among other benefits, VISTA has allowed us to hire key new CVR faculty, support trainees and support activities like the CVR summer school and our conference. VISTA and Connected Minds have also provided funds for visiting researchers to pursue exciting projects that tackle complex, challenging problems that have impact. This success has positioned us to make innovative advances for years to come.
Learn more about Research & Innovation at York University.