To advance York University’s commitment to excellence in scholarship, the Research Commons helps faculty members develop and execute purposeful, disciplinary and interdisciplinary research programs that generate new knowledge and positive change.
Established in early 2020 by the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation (VPRI), the Research Commons serves as the University’s hub for research training, mentorship, resources and connections that support research endeavours. It is open to faculty members across all disciplines and at all levels of their journey in academia, as well as research administrators.
“Our priority is helping York scholars access the supports they need to develop their research careers and elevate their accomplishments,” says Research Commons Academic Director Luann Good Gingrich, a professor in the School of Social Work, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. While Good Gingrich is on leave until June 30, 2026, Mary Goitom, associate professor in the School of Social Work, is serving as interim academic director.
York’s 2023-2028 Strategic Research Plan embraces as a intensive engagement in research that illuminates the human condition, as well as serves society and the planet’s health. Similarly, the 2020-2025 University Academic Plan includes prioritizing action-generating knowledge, ideas and innovations that benefit local communities and the economy.
The Research Commons works to fulfil these objectives by hosting research-focused workshops and information sessions. Happening online about twice a month, they focus on topics such as preparing a successful funding proposal, forging international research collaborations, mobilizing the findings of scholarly work, hiring students and postdoctoral researchers, navigating intellectual property and conducting community-engaged research.
The Research Commons also encourages York scholars to make use of Discover York Academics, the University’s primary platform for showcasing faculty members’ expertise and achievements. Participants learn how to create a robust profile that best reflects published studies, professional activities and awards, which helps to build visibility among scholars and potential community partners.
A popular service of the Research Commons, says Good Gingrich, is the Research Grant Proposal Support (GPS) program. Each faculty member is matched with an expert grant proposal support specialist who helps translate scholarly ideas into a research funding proposal for the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
Research GPS also enables scholars to receive feedback on applications from peer reviewers before submitting to funding agencies. The service is open to full-time, tenure-track and tenured faculty members, but prioritizes early-career researchers, those applying to a funder for the first time and those who haven’t held a grant for five years.
“We’ve had engagement in this program from researchers across all Faculties, and participants regularly tell us it is one of the best supports they’ve received at York,” says Good Gingrich, noting two GPS sessions are held each year: one in May for fall grant deadlines, and one in September for winter/spring grant deadlines.
In collaboration with experts in VPRI, the Research Commons also supports research security, helping faculty members safeguard scholarly work against theft or interference by bad actors for military, surveillance or other inappropriate purposes. Working with York International, UIT and Risk Management units, the Research Commons provides education and resources that aid in conducting due diligence against misuse of scholarly work. It has also partnered with Faculty Affairs to develop supports for faculty experiencing scholarship harassment – threats or attacks in response to their research work.
“Increasing the capacity of researchers and research staff, improving communication across the University about research services and resources, and catalyzing interdisciplinary collaborations and networking opportunities across departments are how we are striving to strengthen the research culture at York,” says Good Gingrich.
With files from Sharon Aschaiek