Tim Lougheed
As professors who began their careers in the 1960s and 1970s have come closer to retirement during the last few years, Canadian universities are eagerly seeking to attract and retain the outstanding talent that will take their place. The federal government added a new dimension to these efforts in 2000, when it set aside $900 million to support up to 2,000 Canada Research Chairs across the country.
The University of Ottawa has established 24 of these chairs since the program was launched, promoting key fields of research along with the leading people in those fields. In fact, the prospects and potential of this approach have been so promising that the University is focusing on the Canada Research Chairs as a key initiative for attracting the best new faculty members off campus. At the same time, a complementary program of University Research Chairs will provide similar recognition to deserving faculty members who are already on campus.
“In this way we’re able to retain the good people we have, as well as attracting newcomers,” says Yvonne Lefebvre, associate vice-rector, research. “And in addition, when you create a chair, it highlights a place that the university wants to go in terms of research.”
She adds that this strategy is much more focused than simply creating funding for a good researcher. It also signals that the University is making this a strategic area of development, which may be of interest to other researchers or students who want to work in that same area.
She notes that the chairs recognize a candidate’s distinguished, sustained accomplishments in research, along with a similarly outstanding outlook for future developments and a solid teaching record. The program also centres on several key research clusters, including the social and cultural challenges of Canada, e-society, catalysis, photonics, population health, genetics and pharmaceuticals.
The first of five annual rounds of five University Research Chairs were awarded last year. Each chairholder receives a grant of $15,000 per year for five years, which supports core research activities such as the hiring of assistants or graduate students. In addition, chairholders are eligible for consideration for teaching relief of one course per year in order to free up their time for research.
The University has now proceeded with the second annual round of this program. The five University Research Chairs for 2003 are the following:
