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York University announces Black Research Seed Grant winners

Colored confetti flying on blue background

Six York researchers in five Faculties are the latest recipients of York University’s Black Research Seed Grants, totalling more than $150,000 in combined funding.  

Created by the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation and the Office of the Vice-President Equity, People & Culture in 2022, the grants support Black scholars at York, particularly emerging and early-career researchers, including postdoctoral fellows.

The newly funded projects range from an investigation into the accessibility and inclusiveness of ride-hailing services for visually impaired, Black passengers to studying a mining conflict in Jamaica to examining the biopsychosocial differences of back pain in low-, middle- and high-income countries, among others.

“Knowledge generated by Black scholars is integral to York University’s research excellence and continuing to grow our inclusive and equitable research environments,” said Amir Asif, vice-president research and innovation. “These seed grants support Black researchers as they pursue innovative work in a variety of fields, strengthening their capacity to create positive change and thrive within York’s research community.”

The funding is part of York’s Action Plan on Black Inclusion and Framework on Black Inclusion, which are intended to help address systemic anti-Black racism and white supremacy within academia.

“York University is committed to taking concrete action on dismantling systemic barriers for Black scholars, allocating funds and resources to support their success,” said Laina Bay-Cheng, interim vice-president equity, people and culture. “This seed grant is just one of many important initiatives that allow York to demonstrate our commitments to equity, to an inclusive and diverse intellectual community, and to recognizing the expertise and contributions of Black scholars at York.”

The six recipients are:

Alvine Boaye Belle, assistant professor, Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Lassonde School of Engineering
Building human trust in ML-enabled autonomous driving systems
$25,000

Stephanie Fearon, assistant professor, Faculty of Education
My Sister’s Keeper: Black Girls as Resistance Leaders
$25,000

Mahtot Gebresselassie, assistant professor, Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change
Race, Disability, and Uber and Lyft Usage
$24,625

Michael Kalu, assistant professor, School of Kinesiology & Health Science, Faculty of Health
Exploring Challenges in Identifying Homebound Black Older Adults and Understanding What Strategies Work: A Comprehensive Scoping Review and Descriptive Qualitative Study in the Greater Toronto Area
$25,000

Aliyu Lawan, postdoctoral fellow, School of Kinesiology & Health Science, Faculty of Health
Biopsychosocial Identity and Back Pain Disability, Access to Care and Return to Work: A longitudinal Analysis of Low-,Middle-, and High-Income Countries
$25,000

Tameka Samuels-Jones, assistant professor, School of Administrative Studies, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
Raising Afro-Voices: Black Indigeneity, Bauxite Mining and Community Empowerment in Jamaica
$25,000

Find out more about the Black Research Seed Grants and their creation.

York University prof appointed to senior role in health organization

Globe with first aid health on it

Professor and Dahdaleh Distinguished Chair Steven Hoffman will join Wellcome Trust, the world’s third-largest foundation supporting global health research, for an 18-month secondment as an interim chief of staff.

One of the world’s leading global health law scholars, Hoffman’s new role will see him support the day-to-day management of Wellcome Trust, advance the strategic priorities of the organization and serve as a member of its executive leadership team. Over the course of his tenure, he will also continue to dedicate time to his research at York.

Steven Hoffman
Steven Hoffman

“I am very excited about this new role with Wellcome, and I’m also grateful for the opportunity to remain connected with York during this period,” says Hoffman. “The University’s incredible support for this secondment signals its commitment to achieving global social impact and supporting many different ways of advancing knowledge and the public good.”

The new role is a significant opportunity, as the U.K.-based Wellcome Trust – with its approximately $63-billion endowment and $2.7 billion in research grants funded each year – is a leader in solving urgent health challenges across the world. It has looked to advance biomedical research, open access and data initiatives, and more.

“Steven’s appointment to such a senior leadership role in a prominent organization advancing health research is an example of York expertise creating positive change toward our goal of building a healthy world for all,” says Faculty of Health Dean David Peters.

Hoffman was selected for the role based on an already lengthy and accomplished career – frequently combining law and epidemiology ­– focused on the global governance of health threats.

An elected member of the Royal Society of Canada, he has previously worked with the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, and the Executive Office of the United Nations Secretary-General in New York City. Between 2016 and 2022, he served as scientific director of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Institute of Population & Public Health. Recently, he also served as the vice-president for data, surveillance and foresight at the Public Health Agency of Canada, where he led the branch’s 400 employees in implementing the Government of Canada’s $436-million transformation of the agency’s core capabilities following the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At York, Hoffman has built and led the Global Strategy Lab – one of Canada’s largest social science research institutes – which is a WHO Collaborating Centre on Global Governance of Antimicrobial Resistance.

Earlier this year, he also received $200,000 in funding from the government of Ontario to advance a groundbreaking new field of research, global legal epidemiology, to improve the equity and effectiveness of international law and to better prepare Ontario for global health threats.

The selection of Hoffman for this pivotal role with a leading global health research funder highlights the talent the York University’s Faculty of Health has been able to attract and retain, notes Peters. “This is an excellent opportunity for Steven and, by extension, York’s Faculty of Health and York University as a whole, to make an impactful contribution towards advancing health research,” he says.

York U a Canadian leader in autism support

York University’s Strengthening Transitions for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) program has emerged as a leader within Canada for providing comprehensive support to students, faculty and staff.

Autism prevalence in Canada has surged in recent years, with approximately one in every 50 individuals aged one to 17 receiving a diagnosis, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. This increase has led to a growing need for universities to adequately support students with autism as they pursue higher education.

In response, York has emerged as a leader in offering solutions with its ASD program, one of the most comprehensive initiatives in Canada.

Raymond Peart
Raymond Peart

Led by Raymond Peart, the co-ordinator of York’s ASD program, with support from intake manager Angela Lecompte, the initiative provides a wide array of services aimed at helping students with autism succeed academically and socially. Starting with early engagement opportunities such as ASD Transition Days and workshops for high-school educators, the program aims to equip incoming students with essential skills for university life, while also fostering a sense of belonging and confidence. 

Other key features include personalized sessions addressing individual needs and fostering crucial social connections. Driven by an adaptive, feedback-driven approach, the program aims to ensure responsiveness and anticipate challenges, enhancing both academic and social skills development.

“By focusing on individual strengths,” Peart says, “the program counters societal misconceptions, advocating for a future where neurodiversity is acknowledged and supported.”

Angela Lecompte
Angela Lecompte

In their evolving approach to supporting students, families, faculty and staff, Peart and Lecompte acknowledge the contributions of the Autism Mental Health Literacy Project and the Autism Mentorship Program (AMP), which have helped shape their services, while the dedicated mentors of the AMP have provided invaluable support to students with autism, fostering a sense of belonging and recognition.

While York’s program is an example of comprehensive support, reports by organizations such as the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) and the Canadian cross-disability charity National Educational Association of Disabled Students (NEADS) highlight the broader challenges faced by students with autism in Canadian universities. 

According to CAHS, there is a notable lack of autism-specific assistance at post-secondary schools across the country. Similarly, a 2021 study in the United States revealed that only 2.2 per cent of public and not-for-profit universities and colleges have autism-specific college support programs. 

This scarcity of dedicated support programs is further highlighted by NEADS’ findings of frequent ineffective accommodations for students with disabilities at universities, along with an over-reliance on teaching those students to self-advocate, creating additional challenges for them.

In its efforts to provide comprehensive support and proactive engagement, York’s ASD program collaborates with institutions nationwide to foster a stronger support network for students with autism. Looking ahead, it plans to further refine its support services and strengthen ties with career counselling to prepare students for life after graduation. 

Initiatives such as the Conversations Create Change podcast series, designed by adults with autism at York, foster understanding and connection within the neurodivergent community on campus. 

“Through our program, we’re striving to help autistic students establish a sense of belonging and work towards self-actualization,” Peart says. “Our goal is to give them the confidence to move forward and succeed in both academic and social aspects of university life.”

Robarts Centre celebrates 40 years of Canadian Studies

Many books standing upright, pictured from above.

Established in 1984, the Robarts Centre for Canadian Studies is a long-standing Organized Research Unit of York University that supports specialized research on key dimensions of a critical, collaborative and interdisciplinary study of Canada. As evidence of its far-reaching impact, it has a membership of over 300 faculty and research associates from all of York’s 11 Faculties.

Lorna Marsden
Lorna Marsden

In celebration of its 40th anniversary, the Robarts Centre has released a special issue of its flagship publication, Canada Watch, edited by York University President Emerita Lorna Marsden, a Distinguished Fellow at the Robarts Centre. In it, a carefully selected group of thought leaders recount the history of the centre and its key evolutions in the study of Canada, as well as the establishment of the York’s research infrastructure over the past four decades.

“In this issue, you will find first-hand accounts of key milestones in the history of the Robarts Centre and of research at York University, including from President Emeritus Ian Macdonald and first Vice-President Research and Innovation Stan Shapson,” said Marsden. “It also shows how the study of Canada has evolved since 1984, and the central role the Robarts Centre has played in creating relationships among disciplines, students and faculty to make this possible.”

This special issue is the first of the centre’s many celebratory activities for this milestone year. To help make its important work available to all, the Robarts Centre is working with the York University Libraries (YUL) to release the online archives of Canada Watch, which has been regularly published since 1992. These public archives, hosted through YUL’s York Digital Journals (YDJ) program, will make accessible many issues that were previously only available in print.

“YDJ’s mission is to facilitate free and open access to the work of members of the York University community,” said Tomasz Mrozewski, YUL digital publishing librarian “The release of the Canada Watch archives on this platform gives our community access to significant contributions in the study of Canada over the past 30 years, with new features, including the ability to search back issues by author and theme.”

Other anniversary celebrations include hosting the 2024 International Canadian Studies Summit, being held online from June 10 to 14, in collaboration with the International Council for Canadian Studies and the Avie Bennett Historica Canada Chair in Canadian History.

Jean Michel Montsion

“In recent years, the Robarts Centre has paid particular attention to the lack of support to our colleagues who study Canada from outside of the country,” explained Jean Michel Montsion, director of the Robarts Centre, “and we see it as our responsibility to connect them to some of our experts and specialists.”

With that mission in mind, the free summit, which is open for registration now, will be an opportunity for emerging and established scholars to learn about, discuss and help draft recommendations for better support of the study of Canada abroad. The event will include a Summer School component, which will be attended by 17 graduate students selected from 13 different countries, with many sessions led by York faculty members.

For more information about 40th anniversary celebrations and how to take part, visit the Robarts Centre for Canadian Studies website.

Rachel McAdams

rachel mcadams

Academy Award nominee and York theatre alumna Rachel McAdams (BFA ’01) has received a Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play for her work in Mary Jane

York U in the news: treadmill desks, bare bump trend and more

The treadmill desk might really be worth it
York University doctoral candidate Akinkunle Oye-Somefun was quoted in the New York Times May 1.

Pregnant bellies are moving into the spotlight
York University Professor Andrea O’Reilly was quoted in Elle Canada April 29.

Filmmaker Roger McTair focused his lens on the lives of Black Canadians
York University Professor Carl James was quoted in the Globe and Mail April 25.

‘The Idea of You’ lets moms have hot sex and get away with it…almost
York University Professor Andrea O’Reilly was quoted in InStyle May 2.

This is how much sex you should be having to be happy
York University Professor Amy Muise was quoted on shared.com May 3.

A social media break could be good for a woman’s body image, study says
York University was mentioned in CBS News May 2.

COVID border closure study focusing on Niagara Falls
York University was mentioned in the St. Catharines Standard May 1.

May Day 2024: Workers on a warming planet deserve stronger labour protections
York University was mentioned in the Conversation May 1.

See more ways York University is making headlines at News @ York.

Announcement of new dean of York University Libraries

Scott Library

Voir la version francaise

Dear colleagues,

I am pleased to inform the York community that, following a national and international search and consultation process with staff, faculty and students from across the University,Joseph Hafnerhas accepted our invitation to become dean, York University Libraries, commencing July 1, 2024. On April 30, the Board of Governors concurred with this recommendation and approved his appointment for a five-year term.

Joseph Hafner
Joseph Hafner (photo credit: Owen Egan and Joni Dufour).

Mr. Hafner comes to York University from McGill University Library, where he has served since 2007 as associate director and then associate dean, collection services.

He joined McGill in 2004 and was awarded full librarian status in 2020. Prior to his tenure at McGill, Mr. Hafner began his career in public librarianship in Indiana, in the United States, where he worked in cataloguing, liaison, partnership development, leadership training and database management.

Holding an master of library and information science from Indiana University, Mr. Hafner is extremely active in his profession. An engaged participant in library associations, he is currently a member of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), where he is Chair of the Linked Data Technical Review Group and a member of the Advisory Committee on Standards, and has previously served as member and Chair of other committees, including the Linked Data Technical Sub-Committee, the Acquisition & Collection Development Committee and the LGBTQ Special Interest Group.

He served as the vice-president of the International Association of Music Libraries and is a member of the Canadian Association of Music Libraries, the American Library Association, Canadian Shared Print, HathiTrust and other professional associations. As an active scholar, Mr. Hafner has also served as editor of numerous publications, including series, journal issues and newsletters, as well as an editorial board member and author of conference proceedings and scholarly articles in important print and electronic journals and publications in academic librarianship.

At McGill, Mr. Hafner has been central to multiple transformational projects, including the construction of a new $33-million, off-site robotic storage facility, involving the absorption of 2.5 million books and journals – a process highlighted in a short video. He brings to York extensive experience in budget management and process improvement, along with knowledge of frontline library services and current issues facing libraries, including open access and the use of artificial intelligence.

To complete research commitments, Mr. Hafner will take a leave of absence for the first six weeks of his term, during which time Andrea Kosavic will continue in the position of interim dean. I am deeply grateful to Ms. Kosavic, who has ably served the role of interim dean for the Libraries since July 2023 and made very important contributions during a time of substantial change.

I look forward to working with Mr. Hafner as he brings his insight and expertise to this important role. I hope that all members of the York University community will join me in congratulating and welcoming him as a core member of the University’s academic leadership team.

I would like to thank the members of the search committee for their contributions to this important process.

Sincerely,

Rhonda Lenton
President & Vice-Chancellor

Joseph Hafner est nommé doyen des bibliothèques de l’Université York

Scott Library

Joseph Hafner est nommé doyen des bibliothèques de l’Université York

Chers collègues, chères collègues,

Joseph Hafner
Joseph Hafner (photo credit: Owen Egan and Joni Dufour).

J’ai le plaisir d’informer la communauté de York qu’à l’issue d’un processus national et international de recherche et de consultation auprès des membres du personnel, du corps professoral et de la communauté étudiante de l’Université, Joseph Hafner a accepté de devenir le doyen des bibliothèques de l’Université York, à compter du 1er juillet 2024. Le 30 avril, le conseil d’administration a entériné cette recommandation et a approuvé sa nomination pour un mandat de cinq ans.

M. Hafner vient de la bibliothèque de l’Université McGill où il a occupé successivement les postes de directeur associé (2007) et de vice-doyen des services des collections. Il y officiait depuis 2004 et a obtenu sa titularisation en 2020. Avant son mandat à McGill, il a travaillé à la Bibliothèque publique de l’Indiana dans les domaines du catalogage, de la liaison, du développement de partenariats, de la formation au leadership et de la gestion des bases de données.

Titulaire d’une maîtrise en bibliothéconomie et en science de l’information de l’Université de l’Indiana, M. Hafner joue un rôle très actif dans sa profession. Participant assidu des associations de bibliothécaires, il fait actuellement partie de la Fédération internationale des Associations de bibliothécaires et des Bibliothèques (IFLA) en tant que président du groupe de révision technique sur les données liées et membre du comité consultatif sur les normes. Il a été membre et a présidé d’autres comités, notamment le sous-comité technique dédié aux données liées, le comité d’acquisition et de développement des collections et le groupe d’intérêt spécial LGBTQ de l’IFLA.

M. Hafner a été vice-président de l’Association internationale des bibliothèques musicales et est membre de l’Association canadienne des bibliothèques musicales, de l’American Library Association, de Canadian Shared Print, de HathiTrust et d’autres associations professionnelles. Universitaire actif, il a également été rédacteur en chef de nombreuses publications, y compris des séries, des numéros de revues et des bulletins d’information, membre du comité de rédaction et auteur de comptes-rendus de conférences et d’articles scientifiques dans d’importantes revues et publications imprimées et électroniques dans le domaine de la bibliothéconomie universitaire.

M. Hafner a joué un rôle de premier plan dans de nombreux projets de transformation de McGill, notamment la construction d’un nouveau site d’entreposage robotisé hors campus de 33 M$, qui a permis de stocker 2,5 millions de livres et de revues. Vous pouvez visionner ici une brève vidéo sur ce projet. M. Hafner apporte à York une vaste expérience en matière de gestion budgétaire et d’amélioration des processus, ainsi qu’une connaissance des services de bibliothèque de première ligne et des défis auxquels les bibliothèques sont confrontées de nos jours, notamment le libre accès et l’utilisation de l’intelligence artificielle.

Afin de s’acquitter de ses engagements en matière de recherche, M. Hafner prendra un congé autorisé durant les six premières semaines de son mandat et Andrea Kosavic continuera d’occuper le poste de doyenne par intérim. Je tiens à exprimer ma profonde gratitude à Mme Kosavic qui assume brillamment le rôle de doyenne intérimaire des bibliothèques depuis juillet 2023 et a apporté des contributions majeures durant cette période de changements.

Je me réjouis de travailler avec M. Hafner qui mettra ses connaissances et son expertise au service de ce rôle important. J’espère que tous les membres de la communauté de York se joindront à moi pour le féliciter et lui souhaiter la bienvenue au sein de l’équipe de leadership pédagogique de l’Université.

Je remercie les membres du comité de recrutement pour leur contribution à ce processus important.

Sincères salutations,

Rhonda Lenton
Présidente et vice-chancelière   

Provost receives national leadership award

Success female entrepreneur, woman leadership or challenge and a

This month, Provost and Vice-President Academic Lisa Philipps was recognized by the Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada as the recipient of the Angela Hildyard Leadership Recognition Award in the Influential Leader category.

Lisa Philipps

Each year, this award is given to an emerging or influential leader who has continued to demonstrate innovative and impactful leadership in advancing the mission of, and achieving outstanding contributions to, their institution or to higher education.

Influential leaders are recognized for their ability to make rich and meaningful contributions at an institutional or community level, improve the educational experiences of post-secondary students at all levels and coaching or mentoring the next generation of Canadian educators, among other important qualities.

As provost and vice-president academic at York University, Philipps played a critical role in leading development of the University Academic Plan 2020-2025, charting a bold path to creating positive change for York’s students, its campuses, and its communities near and far. With a bold commitment to elevate the University’s collective contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, York has been recognized repeatedly among the top 40 institutions worldwide in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.

As provost, Philipps continues to demonstrate her interest in empowering emerging leaders to make meaningful contributions to University communities and to strengthening the post-secondary sector’s impact in Canada and around the world. In 2021, she created the Provostial Fellows Program, an initiative aimed at creating pathways for diverse future academic leaders through mentorship and skill building. Fellows have gone on to assume associate dean positions, oversee undergraduate programming and take on senior Chair positions at other top post-secondary institutions.

Throughout her two terms serving as provost and vice-president academic, Philipps has overseen expanded experiential learning opportunities at York and the continued growth of the Academic Innovation Fund, which supports Faculty and campus partners in their efforts to develop new and exciting ways to educate students. She has also been an instrumental leader in expanding the University’s footprint, with a new Markham Campus set to serve one of the most diverse and dynamic urban communities in the province and country.

Beyond York, Philipps began her academic career in the Faculty of Law at the University of Victoria. She later served as associate dean for research, graduate studies and institutional relations at Osgoode Hall Law School; associate vice-president of research at York University; and interim dean of the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law at Lakehead University. At Lakehead, Philipps helped support a new law school to realize its mandate of strengthening the Indigenous bar and preparing lawyers to practise in northern and rural communities.

Each year, a donation is made on an award recipient’s behalf to an institution of their choosing, in the form of a contribution to an endowment or fund that supports students, or to a registered charitable organization supporting educational initiatives. Philipps has chosen to direct these funds to York University’s Student Financial Aid fund to support future student success.