Students earn awards for advancing work in Canadian studies
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By Ashley Goodfellow Craig, editor, YFile
York University’s Robarts Centre for Canadian Studies has announced the winners of two prestigious academic awards recognizing the best graduate dissertation and undergraduate paper in a fourth-year course that advances knowledge of Canada.
The Barbara Godard Prize for the Best York University Dissertation in Canadian Studies recipient is Min Ah (Angie) Park for “Diversity in ‘the Korean Way’: Transcultural Identities in Contemporary Diasporic Korean Literature and Media in North America.”
The recipient of the Odessa Prize for the best undergraduate paper in a fourth-year course is Christine Cooling for “Reimagining Broadcasting Policy in a Networked Canada: Debating Digital Sovereignty and Democratic Reform.”
The Barbara Godard Prize
Min Ah Park
Park, who is currently a postdoctoral Fellow at the Institute for Gender & the Economy at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, completed her doctorate in English at York University in 2022. During her studies at York, she also completed dual graduate diplomas in world literature (from the Department of English) and Asian studies (from the York Centre for Asian Research).
She is a recipient of the Mitacs Elevate Postdoctoral Fellowship, and her research focuses on the methods and best practices of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) training in corporate environments.
Park’s winning thesis, titled “Diversity in ‘the Korean Way’: Transcultural Identities in Contemporary Diasporic Korean Literature and Media in North America,” explores literary and visual media representations of diasporic Koreans in Canada and the U.S., largely since 2010.
Her thesis, she says, demonstrates how these representations reflect the complex and evolving ways that Korean immigrants and descendants have been reimagining their identities beyond persisting stereotypes and across national and geographical borders, while grappling with local and global effects of racism, colonialism and capitalism.
“I particularly look at women’s narratives (in the form of memoirs and novels) and humour in television shows to examine how diasporic Korean identity is made complex by the movements between individual and communal identity construction, simultaneous experiences of exclusion and inclusion, and forces of capitalist markets and competing geopolitical histories,” says Park, adding that she chose this line of inquiry because, in recent years, she has been fascinated by the growing representation of Koreans and diasporic Koreans across diverse media industries.
Her thesis further aims to address a lack of knowledge and scholarly discussion regarding diasporic Korean expression and experiences, especially in Canada, and further in the U.S.
“I am so happy and honoured to receive this award because the three values of the Robarts Centre for Canadian Studies aptly reflect my personal aims for writing my dissertation: knowing Canada through people; situating Canada in its places; and connecting Canada to the world,” she said. “To be recognized by the prestigious Barbara Godard Prize gives me the pleasure and honour of knowing that I was able to contribute to these values through my research on a subject so near and dear to my own identity as a first-generation immigrant and person of Korean heritage in Canada.”
The Odessa Prize
Christine Cooling
Cooling, now a master’s student at York University and Toronto Metropolitan University, studying communication and culture, is a graduate of the Communication & Media Studies program in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies.
Cooling shares that she chose her undergraduate program “without knowing virtually anything about media studies,” but “became quickly and deeply fascinated by how communication policy shapes ideologies surrounding national culture.”
In her current work as a master’s student, she plans to expand her thesis research on Canadian broadcasting policy to dive deeper into the relationship between historical and contemporary policymaking debates.
The Odessa Prize was awarded to Cooling for her thesis titled “Reimagining Broadcasting Policy in a Networked Canada: Debating Digital Sovereignty and Democratic Freedom,” which interrogated Twitter and online legacy newspaper coverage of the controversial Online Streaming Act, Bill C-11, that was recently given royal assent and made into law in Canada.
“This bill sought to bring online streaming platforms under the scope of traditional broadcasting regulation, which has covered radio and television since the 20th century and had not been amended since 1991. These media perspectives offered valuable insight into public opinion on what role online streaming services should play in Canada’s digital media environment, as well as what role the Canadian government should play in regulating internet platforms such as Netflix – an undoubtedly challenging task,” says Cooling.
This line of inquiry was of particular interest to her because of both the history of Canadian broadcasting policy as well as contemporary debates on Canadian broadcasting policy.
“Winning the Odessa Prize is truly one of my proudest accomplishments as a student with a passion for researching Canadian communication policy – a research area that may not always sound exciting but is incredibly rich and controversial,” says Cooling. “To me, the Odessa Prize affirms the importance of my research and recognizes my dedication to the field; upon finding out I won the prize, I felt instantly inspired and motivated to pursue a future career in academia, which is my ultimate goal.”
Nominate inspiring alumni for Top 30 under 30
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At home and abroad, York University’s young alumni are making positive and impactful change. From business leaders championing equity, diversity and inclusion to social impact researchers and environmental activists, York alumni working across all sectors are making meaningful differences in their communities.
York University’s Top 30 Alumni Under 30 program recognizes inspiring and diverse alumni under the age of 30 who are driven to make a difference locally and globally. With past recipients pursuing careers in science and technology, anti-Black racism in Canada and disability rights, York U recognizes and engages these changemakers to shed light on their inspiring work.
To nominate a York grad, share how the candidate demonstrates a commitment to creating positive change for York University, the wider community and beyond.
Eligibility criteria: Nominees must be York University graduates who are 29 years of age or younger by Dec. 31 (born in 1994 or more recently). A graduate is defined as someone who has received an academic degree from York University. Students are not eligible for this award until they receive their degree.
All nominations for the 2024 Top 30 Alumni Under 30 must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 16.
For more information about how to submit a nomination, visit Top 30 Alumni Under 30 or contact Nicole Light, senior alumni engagement officer, at nlight@yorku.ca or 647-527-2550.
CIHR awards professor $1M grant
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York University Faculty of Health Professor David Hood received a more than $1-million grant over five years from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to study the role of exercise, sex and age on muscle decline by delving into the role of lysosomes in clearing out bad mitochondria from muscles.
David Hood
It’s not about a rare illness; it’s about something that impacts all of us. “After cancer and heart disease, musculoskeletal illnesses are one of the biggest burdens on society,” says Hood, a Canada Research Chair and professor in the School of Kinesiology & Health Science and a pioneer in the study of exercise physiology and mitochondria in Canada. “What’s going on with the lysosomes? Why aren’t they degrading mitochondria the way they should, and can exercise improve lysosomes? We will be studying whether or not the removal of bad mitochondria can be improved by regular exercise, whether there is a biological sex difference between males and females in the removal of mitochondria and whether it’s affected by age.”
Hood, founder of the Muscle Health Research Centre at York, has been studying the synthesis of mitochondria and musculature for decades. More recently, he has taken an interest in the role of lysosomes – the “Pac-Man” organelles responsible for clearing out cellular materials when they no longer function as they should – in the removal process of worn-out mitochondria.
Mitochondria are responsible for producing the energy required to power cells, and like all cellular structures, break down over time and need to be replaced. Previous research shows a lack of removal causes a buildup of free radicals. A lack of energy production is one reason for muscle decline in aging, and exercise helps with the removal of old mitochondria, but he says the role of lysosomes is poorly understood and the research is in its infancy.
To build on this nascent body of evidence, Hood and graduate students from York will look at lysosomes and contracting muscles cells under a microscope, conduct animal studies and look at human tissue via a collaboration with research partners at the University of Florida.
Hood says mouse model studies show that females have more mitochondria in muscle tissue than males, and previous research at York also discovered that they have more lysosomes. Now, he will look at whether the same would be true in humans.
Mitochondrial research has been exploding in recent years, due to its key role in the aging process in general, and while there is much interest in developing a pill that would help along with the mitochondrial renewal process – Hood himself has done studies looking at the role of the antioxidant resveratrol found in red wine, and found it did indeed help mitochondrial function in conjunction with exercise – Hood is not a “magic pill” advocate.
“There’s no doubt that there is a ton of excitement around mitochondria in the research world – more than any other organelle, really – and there is great interest in finding the pharmaceuticals or nutraceuticals that can combine with exercise to make mitochondria work better,” says Hood. “With age and inactivity, the more mitochondria deteriorate, and the less likely people are to exercise. This leads to a further decline in mitochondrial function – a feed forward mechanism; however, the inverse is also true – training our body produces more mitochondria and gives us the energy for further exercise, helping to stave off chronic disease. As someone with a lifelong interest in athletics, as someone who teaches exercise physiology to 600 students per year, I’ve got to try to promote exercise, and the mechanisms of its health benefits, as best I can.”
“The support from CIHR for Dr. David Hood’s important research on the role of mitochondria in muscle decline will advance our understanding of how we can mitigate muscle decline to help us age better and healthier,” said Dr. David Peters, dean of York’s Faculty of Health. “The CIHR funding for his work and for that of his York colleagues in areas ranging from self-harm behaviours to the regulation of gene expression, is a recognition of the outstanding calibre of York’s research in health and how that research will benefit society.”
Watch a video of David Hood explaining his research here:
Announcing the winners of the 2022 President’s Staff Recognition Awards
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La version française suit la version anglaise.
Every year, the York University Staff Recognition Awards are an occasion for the University to come together with President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton and honour community members who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the school’s success and actively advanced our vision, mission and core values.
Rhonda Lenton
“At York University, our community is our greatest asset,” said Lenton. “These awards acknowledge staff, many of whom work behind the scenes advancing our vision to provide a broad sociodemographic of students with access to a high-quality, research-intensive education, elevating our performance and enhancing our reputation. Whether supporting the development of new programs, our students and their learning experience, our research activities or campus operations to create a safe, inclusive, connected and welcoming environment, each and every one of you exemplify the spirit of excellence and engagement that defines our institution.
“I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the exceptional individuals and teams who have won or been nominated for these prestigious awards, which this year includes the inaugural Excellence in Decolonization, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (DEDI) Award,” she continued.
“Your professionalism, innovation, and dedication have made a tangible mark on York University and will continue to shape a brighter future for us all, and I am thrilled to have this opportunity to celebrate all your remarkable contributions.”
The winners of this year’s Staff Recognition Awards will be honoured at an event at a later date.
This year’s recipients and nominees are:
Deborah Hobson York Citizenship Award
This award recognizes employees who have demonstrated a high level of service to students and who promote York’s spirit in terms of creativity, innovation and redefining the possible in service to the University community.
Rosanna Chowdhury (top row, far left); nominators/colleagues; and Priyanka Debnath, chief of staff, Office of the President
The other staff members nominated for this award are:
Jillian Oinonen, coordinator of system development
Kayla Lascasas, manager, Student Engagement and Recruitment
Decolonization, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (DEDI) Award
This annual award recognizes the passion, dedication and campus engagement by a team or individual staff member to decolonization, equity, diversity and inclusion at York. The award acknowledges ongoing work or outstanding accomplishments in practice, events, policy, programs, or other activities that foster equitable, sustainable and measurable change on campus, with an intersectional social justice lens, especially for equity-deserving groups (e.g. women, visible/racialized minorities, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities and 2SLGBTQIA+).
Centre for Human Rights, Equity & Inclusion (CHREI) Education Team: Christine Sinclair (top row, far left), Carolina Ruiz (top row, centre), Lisa Brown (absent, on leave); nominators/colleagues; and Priyanka Debnath, chief of staff, Office of the President
Winner: Centre for Human Rights, Equity & Inclusion (CHREI) Education Team
Lisa Brown, strategy and engagement specialist – Black Inclusion (on leave)
Carolina Ruiz, senior advisor, DEDI, Education and Communications
Christine Sinclair, senior advisor, DEDI, Education and Communications
The other staff members and teams nominated for this award are:
Diane Hector, director, Finance and Budgets Partnerships
Michelle Hughes, recruitment and communications coordinator (deceased)
Orlene Ellis, graduate program assistant
Library Accessibility Services
Gary Brewer Award
This award is presented annually to a non-academic employee of York University who has shown tremendous promise for assuming a leadership role at the University, is known for their innovative and meaningful contributions to the effectiveness of their unit and has significantly contributed to the University’s commitment to excellence. The award recognizes and encourages early-career professionals who have demonstrated significant promise of leadership in their career.
Tom Osborne (top row, centre); nominators/colleagues; and Priyanka Debnath, chief of staff, Office of the President
Winner: Tom Osborne, assistant director, Academic Scheduling
The other staff members nominated for this award are:
René Saint-André, senior security official, Campus Relations
Nicholas Punsammy, training coordinator and administrative floater
Phyllis Clark Campus Service Award
This award is presented annually to a non-academic employee of York University who has made exemplary contributions to the operations of either of York’s campuses in terms of efficiency, cleanliness, safety, security and/or other campus or plant services.
Violet Cosby (front row, right); nominators/colleagues; and Priyanka Debnath, chief of staff, Office of the President
Winner: Violet Cosby, custodian
The other staff members nominated for this award are:
Diane O’Grady, security official
The President’s Leadership Award
The President’s Leadership Award recognizes contributions that go beyond the published requirements of a position and performance levels that foster a high level of professionalism and usually extend beyond an individual department into the University community at large.
Jodi Tavares (top row, centre); nominators/colleagues; and Priyanka Debnath, chief of staff, Office of the President
Winner: Jodi Tavares, executive director, Strategy and Administration
The other staff members nominated for this award are:
Prashanna Kantharasa, security supervisor
Debbi Collett, academic resource coordinator
Amy Gaukel, senior executive officer, Vice-President Equity, People and Culture
The other staff members nominated for this award are:
Diana Caradonna, corporate relations specialist
Khanh Le, administrative coordinator
Harriet Lewis Team Award for Service Excellence
This award recognizes a team’s excellence in service and support to students, faculty, course directors, staff, and/or other service users and its promotion of the York spirit in terms of imagination, creativity, innovation and redefining the possible in service to York’s community (internal or external).
Knowledge Mobilization Unit: Michael Johnny (top row, far left), David Phipps (top row, left), Connie Tang (absent), Krista Jensen (absent); nominators/colleagues; and Priyanka Debnath, chief of staff, Office of the President
Winner: The Knowledge Mobilization Unit
David Phipps, assistant vice-president, Research Strategy and Impact
Michael Johnny, manager, Knowledge Mobilization
Krista Jensen, senior knowledge mobilization specialist
Connie Tang, director, strategy and business development, Research Impact Canada
The other teams nominated for this award are:
Administrative team for the Department of Languages, Literatures & Linguistics
University Information Technology eReports Replacement Implementation team
The University Information Technology (UIT) administration team
Economics Student Support and Success team
The Office of Research Ethics (ORE)
President’s Voice of York Award
The Voice of York Award is given to an individual who is a first line-of-contact person at York University. The most important voice of York is the one who makes the first contact with a visitor or a community member. Compassion and professionalism, particularly in handling difficult or sensitive situations, is essential to our work at York University.
Jlenya Sarra-De Meo (top row, left, centre); nominators/colleagues; and Priyanka Debnath, chief of staff, Office of the President
Winner: Jlenya Sarra-DeMeo, graduate program administrator
The other staff members nominated for this award are:
Irina Mikhailyuk, graduate funding and finance analyst
Annonce des lauréats et lauréates des Prix de reconnaissance du personnel de soutien 2022 de la présidente
Rhonda Lenton
Chaque année, les prix annuels de reconnaissance du personnel de l’Université York sont l’occasion de nous joindre à la présidente et vice-chancelière Rhonda Lenton pour honorer les membres de la communauté qui ont fait preuve d’un engagement exceptionnel en faveur de la réussite de l’Université et qui ont activement fait progresser notre vision, notre mission et nos valeurs fondamentales.
« La communauté de l’Université York est son plus grand atout, a déclaré Mme Lenton. Ces prix récompensent le personnel, dont plusieurs travaillent dans l’ombre pour faire progresser notre vision, qui est d’offrir à un large éventail d’étudiantes et étudiants l’accès à un enseignement de haute qualité axé sur la recherche, d’élever nos performances et d’améliorer notre réputation. Qu’il s’agisse de soutenir le développement de nouveaux programmes, notre communauté étudiante et son expérience d’apprentissage, nos activités de recherche ou les opérations du campus pour créer un environnement sécuritaire, inclusif, connecté et accueillant, chacun et chacune d’entre vous illustre l’esprit d’excellence et d’engagement qui définit notre institution.
Je tiens à féliciter chaleureusement toutes les personnes et équipes exceptionnelles qui ont remporté ou ont été nommées pour ces prix prestigieux, qui comprennent cette année le premier Prix d’excellence en matière de décolonisation, d’équité, de diversité et d’inclusion (DEDI).
Votre professionnalisme, votre sens de l’innovation et votre dévouement ont laissé une marque tangible sur l’Université York et continueront à façonner un avenir meilleur pour nous tous. Je suis ravie d’avoir l’occasion de souligner vos remarquables contributions. »
Les lauréats et lauréates des prix de reconnaissance du personnel de cette année seront honorés lors d’un événement qui aura lieu à une date ultérieure.
Lauréats et lauréates et personnes mises en nomination pour les Prix de reconnaissance du personnel de cette année :
Prix Deborah Hobson du civisme de York
Ce prix honore les employés qui ont fourni à la population étudiante un service d’excellence, qui promeuvent l’esprit de York sur le plan de la créativité, de l’innovation et qui redéfinissent ce qui est possible en ce qui a trait au service à la communauté universitaire.
Lauréate : Rosanna Chowdhury, coordonnatrice du programme d’éducation expérientielle
Autres membres du personnel mis en nomination pour ce prix :
Jillian Oinonen, coordonnatrice du développement des systèmes
Kayla Lascasas, responsable de l’engagement et du recrutement des étudiants
Prix d’excellence en matière de décolonisation, d’équité, de diversité et d’inclusion (DEDI)
Ce prix annuel récompense la passion, le dévouement et l’engagement sur le campus d’une équipe ou d’un membre du personnel en faveur de la décolonisation, de l’équité, de la diversité et de l’inclusion à York. Ce prix récompense les réalisations exceptionnelles dans le cadre de pratiques, d’événements, de politiques, de programmes ou d’autres activités qui favorisent un changement équitable, durable et mesurable sur le campus, dans une optique de justice sociale intersectionnelle, en particulier pour les groupes en quête d’équité tels que les femmes, les minorités visibles/racialisées, les peuples autochtones, les personnes en situation de handicap et les personnes 2ELGBTQIA+.
Lauréate : L’équipe éducative du CHREI
Lisa Brown, spécialiste de la stratégie et de l’engagement, inclusion des personnes noires (en congé)
Carolina Ruiz, conseillère principale, DEDI, éducation et communication
Christine Sinclair, conseillère principale, DEDI, éducation et communication
Autres membres du personnel mis en nomination pour ce prix :
Diane Hector, directrice des partenariats financiers et budgétaires
Michelle Hughes, coordonnatrice du recrutement et de la communication (décédée)
Orlene Ellis, assistante du programme d’études supérieures
Services en accessibilité des bibliothèques
Prix Gary Brewer
Ce prix est décerné chaque année à un employé ou une employée non académique de l’Université York qui a fait preuve d’un grand potentiel de leadership à l’Université, qui a contribué de façon innovante et positive à l’efficacité de son unité et qui a collaboré de manière importante à l’engagement de l’Université en matière d’excellence. Le prix honore et encourage des professionnels aux débuts de carrière prometteurs sur le plan du leadership.
Lauréat : Tom Osborne,directeur adjoint, planification académique
Autres membres du personnel mis en nomination pour ce prix :
René Saint-André, responsable principal de la sécurité, relations avec les campus
Nicholas Punsammy, coordonnateur de la formation et agent administratif suppléant
Prix Phyllis Clark du service sur les campus
Ce prix est décerné chaque année à un(e) employé(e) non académique de l’Université York qui a contribué de façon exemplaire au fonctionnement de l’un ou l’autre des campus de York sur le plan de l’efficience, de la propreté, de la sécurité, ou d’autres services relatifs aux campus ou aux installations.
Lauréate : Violet Cosby, concierge
Autres membres du personnel mis en nomination pour ce prix :
Diane O’Grady, responsable de la sécurité
Le prix du leadership de la Présidente
Le Prix du leadership de la Présidente récompense les contributions excédant les exigences officielles d’un poste et les niveaux de performance favorisant un niveau élevé de professionnalisme et rayonnant en général, au-delà d’un département donné, sur l’ensemble de la communauté universitaire.
Lauréate : Jodi Tavares, directrice générale, stratégie et administration
Autres membres du personnel mis en nomination pour ce prix :
Prashanna Kantharasa, superviseur de la sécurité
Debbi Collett, coordonnatrice des ressources académiques
Amy Gaukel, directrice générale, VP-EPC
Liz McMahan, directrice, Congrès 2023
Paul A. Elo, directeur, technologie de l’information
Catherine Salole, directrice générale, services aux étudiants de Markham
Janet Newton, gestionnaire des accords de recherche
Médaille Ronald Kent
Cette médaille récompense les contributions des employés qui promeuvent et renforcent la collégialité, les valeurs et les objectifs de l’Université York.
Autres membres du personnel mis en nomination pour ce prix :
Diana Caradonna, spécialiste des relations avec les entreprises
Khanh Le, coordinateur administratif
Prix de l’équipe Harriet Lewis pour l’excellence du service
Ce prix honore l’excellence d’une équipe en matière de service et de soutien à la communauté étudiante, au corps enseignant, aux directeurs de cours, au personnel et à tous les utilisateurs de services, et la promotion de l’esprit de York sur le plan de l’imagination, de la créativité, de l’innovation et d’une redéfinition des possibles sur le plan des services déployés pour la communauté de York (internes ou externes).
Lauréate : L’unité de mobilisation des connaissances
David Phipps, VPA, Stratégie et impact de la recherche
Michael Johnny, gestionnaire, KM
Krista Jensen, spécialiste principale de la mobilisation des connaissances
Connie Tang, directrice de la stratégie et du développement commercial, Réseau Impact Recherche Canada
Autres équipes mises en nomination pour ce prix :
Équipe administrative du département des langues, des littératures et de la linguistique
Équipe de mise en œuvre du remplacement des rapports électroniques, technologies de l’information de l’Université
L’équipe d’administration, technologies de l’information de l’université (TIU)
Équipe chargée du soutien et de la réussite des étudiants en économie
Bureau d’éthique de la recherche (ORE)
Prix Voix de York de la Présidente
Le Prix Voix de York est attribué à une personne-ressource de première ligne à l’Université York. La voix la plus importante à York est en effet celle qui établit le premier contact avec un visiteur ou un membre de la communauté. La compassion et le professionnalisme, particulièrement dans la gestion de situations difficiles ou délicates, sont essentiels pour notre travail.
Lauréate : Jlenya Sarra-DeMeo, administratrice du programme d’études supérieures
Autres membres du personnel mis en nomination pour ce prix :
Irina Mikhailyuk, analyste, financement des études supérieures et finances
Real estate and infrastructure scholarships honour three Schulich students
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York University’s Schulich School of Business recently announced the winners of three prestigious scholarships in the Master of Real Estate & Infrastructure (MREI) program.
Jesica Anane (MREI candidate ‘24), who joins Schulich from Ghana and has extensive experience in project management, is the recipient of the Gary Whitelaw Strength in Diversity Award. Established in 2021 by global real estate investment firm BentallGreenOak (BGO), this $25,000 award draws on former chief executive officer and current Schulich Executive-in-Residence Gary Whitelaw’s continuing commitment to improve diversity and representation in Canada’s commercial real estate industry by investing in future leaders. “I plan to make the most of this opportunity to excel academically and contribute positively to society,” said Anane. “I am determined to give back to the community and make a difference in the lives of others, just as BGO has done for me.”
Pictured, from left to right: MREI ’24 candidates and scholarship recipients Bianca Gornik, Jesica Anane and Sonal Bagga
The Edward Sonshine Scholarship, established by RioCan, is offered to students entering the 12-month MREI program who have demonstrated the highest academic standing, leadership ability and commitment to the real estate sector. The $25,000 scholarship has been awarded to Bianca Gornik (MREI candidate ‘24). Gornik has an undergraduate degree in urban studies and art history from the University of Toronto and two years of experience in the real estate private equity industry. “This scholarship will immensely impact my academic journey and professional trajectory,” said Gornik. “I am extremely honoured to have the opportunity to be mentored by RioCan’s top talent, with the potential for a future internship with the company.”
With a background in architecture and urban planning, Sonal Bagga (MREI candidate ‘24) is the winner of the inaugural Graywood Developments Master of Real Estate & Infrastructure Award, which aims to foster the growth of talented young leaders in the field of real estate and construction. “Your belief in my potential empowers me to strive and reach new heights in my career,” said Bagga. “From a young age, I have immersed myself in the world of design and construction, learning invaluable lessons from my father’s wealth of experience. Your investment in me will guarantee a bright future for me, as well as the communities that will benefit from my contributions.”
Jim Clayton, the Timothy R. Price Chair in Real Estate and Infrastructure at Schulich, expressed his gratitude for the generosity of the program’s corporate partners: “We are grateful for the continued support of our corporate partners in helping us attract top talent and develop future leaders in the industry. It is an honour for us to be associated with these great companies focused on equitable access to opportunity in the real estate and infrastructure sectors.”
Senate Awards Committee announces 2023-24 award deadlines
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The Senate Awards Committee has announced upcoming deadlines for the five prizes it will award throughout the 2023-24 academic year, including the President’s Research Awards, the President’s University-Wide Teaching Awards, as well as Honorific Professorships.
Nominations for the five awards are driven by nominations from the York community, and previous nominators should note that this academic year’s deadlines have been scheduled earlier than previous years.
Separate calls for nomination for each individual award, including links to the criteria and nomination forms, will be issued throughout the year.
The awards and deadlines are:
President’s Research Awards
Deadline: Wednesday, Nov. 15
The awards in question include the President’s Emerging Research Award, the President’s Research Excellence Award and the President’s Research Impact Award.
President’s University-Wide Teaching Awards
Deadline: Friday, Jan. 19, 2024
Four awards are offered and are given to one of the following: full-time tenured faculty with 10 or more years of full-time teaching experience; full-time faculty (tenured/tenure-stream/CLA) with less than 10 years of teaching experience; contract and adjunct faculty; and teaching assistants.
Honorific Professorships
Deadline: Friday, March 1, 2024
Nominations go towards recognizing a Distinguished Research Professor, a member of the faculty who has made outstanding contributions to the University through research; as well as University Professor, a member of the faculty whom the University recognizes for their participation in University life and/or contribution to the University as a community, as well as appropriate levels of scholarship and teaching success.
Questions about any aspect of the nomination process may be addressed to Amanda Wassermuhl, secretary of the Senate Awards Committee, by email at awasser@yorku.ca.
Sustainable transportation earns York new designation
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Bike share station on York University’s Keele campus.
York University is the first Canadian institution to earn the designation of a “Best University for Commuters” for its many sustainable travel options available to the community.
The designation was awarded on Sept. 13 by Best Workplaces for Commuters, the North American authority for recognizing and assisting workplaces that provide exceptional commuter benefits to employees.
With this designation, York joins institutions such as Harvard University, Princeton, Stanford and Yale, which have also been commended for options available to travellers.
“York has spent many years building a strong transportation network, working with city partners to ensure our campuses are well-connected and accessible, and considering the ways we can lower our carbon footprint with sustainable travel options,” said Carol McAulay, vice-president finance and administration. “This new designation is a celebration of that work and a reflection of what’s to come. We’re continuing to invest in sustainable travel options and are committed to working with municipal and provincial partners to advocate for more affordable transit options, including fare integration, to improve benefits for our community.”
To earn this designation, York was recognized for the variety of benefits and options it provides to students, faculty, instructors and staff who travel to and from campus. These are:
Bike share – York was the first university in the Greater Toronto Area to partner with Bike Share Toronto and offer three bike share stations on the Keele and Glendon campuses.
Secure bike parking and repair stations – two secured bike enclosures on the Keele Campus offer peace of mind to cyclists and four do-it-yourself repair stations on the Keele and Glendon campuses provide tools for quick fixes.
Carpool incentives – a partnership with Zipcar enables easy car sharing, and preferred parking at a lower rate is available for those who regularly carpool to campus through the Diamond Pool Parking program.
Electric vehicle charging stations – there are currently more than 30 charging stations available at the Keele and Glendon campuses.
Glendon-Keele Shuttle – the shuttle offers service from 7:10 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. to all community members with a valid YU-card.
These benefits are made available through Transportation Services, which has a mission to support the University community through smart transportation options that are consistently evolving.
“The transit options to York have improved enormously since I was a student, with two subway stations to get you to class easier and faster,” said Mike Layton, chief sustainability officer. “Choosing sustainable travel is a great way for community members to contribute to York’s net-zero commitment and reduce their personal carbon footprint.”
To learn more about transportation options at York, visit the Transportation Services department’s website.
Watch a video about the award and York’s sustainability efforts here:
Lassonde prof becomes member of International Academy of Astronautics
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George Zhu, a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering, has been inducted as a full member of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) following his appointment as a corresponding member in 2020.
George Zhu
The IAA is an independent organization of distinguished individuals elected by their peers for their outstanding contributions to astronautics and the exploration of space. With 1,200 active members worldwide, it is the only international academy of elected members in the broad area of astronautics and space.
Zhu’s contributions to these areas include work in spacecraft dynamics and control, and space debris mitigation. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed journal articles and 163 conference papers, and has supervised more than 100 highly qualified personnel. He led the development and launch of two CubeSats funded by the Canadian Space Agency. The first was launched in November 2020 and showcased pioneering technology for space debris removal; the second was launched in July 2023 and is dedicated to observing ice in the Arctic, as well as monitoring thawing permafrost in Northern Canada for climate change research.
Through $3.6 million in funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation, Zhu is currently developing transformative additive manufacturing and 3D bioprinting technologies for human space exploration. This work aims to revolutionize spacecraft manufacturing and provide self-sustaining medical support for space missions.
Zhu is also a college member of the Royal Society of Canada and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, the Engineering Institute of Canada, the Canadian Society of Mechanical Engineering and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and an associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
LA&PS professor wins best paper at international politics conference
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During the 2023 American Political Science Association (APSA) Annual Meeting in Los Angeles earlier this month, Basileus Zeno, a sessional assistant professor in the Department of Politics in York University’s Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS), received the Best 2022 APSA Paper award from the association’s Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Politics Section. Zeno presented his paper, “The Shifting Rhetorics of the Syrian Uprising: Politics of Sectarianization,” at APSA’s annual event in Montreal last fall.
Basileus Zeno
A peer-reviewed version of Zeno’s winning paper, which addresses the puzzle of how narratives articulated during the Syrian uprising shifted from calls for political reform to sectarian and militarized discourses, was published in the Nations and Nationalism journal last March, and it was also recognized by the Syrian Studies Association with the 2022 Most Outstanding Article Prize at the 2022 Middle East Studies Association Annual Meeting.
“Seeing your work acknowledged by scholars who have always inspired you is truly an honour,” says Zeno, who joined York in July of last year from Amherst College in Massachusetts, where he held the Karl Loewenstein Fellowship in Political Science. “The paper deals with a sensitive and thorny topic, and it benefited from several rounds of feedback and critiques, so I owe my Syrian interlocutors and friends, as well as many scholars, my deepest gratitude. In fact, I almost gave up on completing this research project, but now I’m glad I didn’t.”
APSA’s MENA Politics Section is an academic society established to support, develop and publish research on the politics of the MENA region using interdisciplinary methodological, theoretical and empirical tools. The APSA selection committee praised Zeno’s paper for its unique contribution to the wider scholarship of agency, identity, violence and international relations.
“The seed of this article was sown following the Syria uprising, in the context of the ‘Arab Spring,’ ” Zeno explains. “It’s based on my first-hand observations and weekly meetings with activists in Damascus between March 2011 and July 2012, before being forced to leave the country. The article uses an interpretivist approach and thick description to trace meaning-making processes and the gradual evolution of sectarian framing in the context of the Syrian uprising and the subsequent civil war.”
While Zeno hopes his winning paper will contribute to important academic literature on violence and identity, authoritarianism and social movements, he also has a very personal attachment to this project and its impact. “Like all Syrians, I’ve been grappling with existential questions about home, identity and belonging since 2011,” he says. “Hopefully my paper will be seen as a modest contribution to this ongoing debate among Syrians about the future of their destroyed country and fragmented society.”
Applications open for Commercialization Fellowship
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The Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation (VPRI) will open the call for applications for the Commercialization Fellowship program that supports projects with commercial potential from across York University on Sept. 7.
The fellowship, organized by Innovation York, is open to postgraduate students and postdoctoral Fellows with approval from their academic supervisor. It provides $7,500 in funding to support commercialization of research. Applications close on Oct. 31.
The fellowships aim to support the research commercialization process by providing strategic, short-term funding to assist in the development of commercially viable projects. The goal is to prepare projects for commercial engagement with industry and/or community partners, with a view to licensing and/or co-development of the project intellectual property.
