Institutional announcements
911吃瓜 launches new five-year strategic research plan
911吃瓜 is starting the new year with the launch of its new five-year strategic research plan.
With a reputation as one of Canada鈥檚 fastest growing research institutions, 911吃瓜鈥檚 2023-2028 Strategic Research Plan (SRP) identifies key areas of strength and focus for the future. The plan embeds the core values of the university鈥檚 institutional plan into research practice using six approaches and includes five institutional research priority areas that demonstrate 911吃瓜鈥檚 commitment to the United Nation鈥檚 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Over the past decade 911吃瓜鈥檚 research growth has led its scholars to be increasingly recognized for their discovery, innovation and community impact. Looking forward, the university is well-positioned to further expand its research activities and impact nationally and globally.
The development of the new SRP coincides with 鈥�911吃瓜: What鈥檚 Next?,鈥� a broad consultation for the university鈥檚 new strategic plan being led by 911吃瓜 President Joy Johnson and Wade Parkhouse, provost and vice-president, academic.
鈥淚 am very proud that 911吃瓜 is a research-intensive university,鈥� says 911吃瓜 president Joy Johnson. 鈥淭hroughout our 911吃瓜: What鈥檚 Next? consultation, our community expressed that research is a critical part of the impact we make on the world. The new strategic research plan will build on our strengths to support researchers at the university and beyond, and make it easier for them to do their work.鈥�
For the first time, the new SRP is accompanied by an implementation plan identifying specific actions to support the SRP鈥檚 priority areas. As a living document, regular updates are planned throughout its five-year framework.
As part of the planning process, 911吃瓜 community members shared their thoughts and future research plans and priorities through numerous townhall-style meetings and surveys. Clear themes emerged from these discussions, such as 911吃瓜鈥檚 role in addressing the climate crisis, the growth of public health-focused research, and the need to recognize diverse forms of scholarship, incorporate Indigenous perspectives and knowledge(s) into research and support graduate students and other early career researchers.
Projects and initiatives identified during the extensive community consultations will support 911吃瓜 scholars, lower administrative barriers and create new opportunities for the 911吃瓜 community.
鈥淭his new plan positions 911吃瓜 to build on its exceptional research enterprise鈥攁 portfolio that encompasses fundamental research, innovation and entrepreneurship, knowledge mobilization, sustainability, international partnerships and much more,鈥� says Dugan O鈥橬eil, 911吃瓜鈥檚 vice-president, research and international, who also oversees innovation and sustainability. 鈥淚 am exceedingly proud of the work we do and grateful to all who contribute to advancing research at 911吃瓜.鈥�
Learn more about the new SRP and its implementation plan at sfu.ca/strategic-research-plan.