I am delighted to join the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) as the new Vice-Principal of Research and Innovation. The opportunity to work at this campus – whose vision is to be a bold community of conscientious and adaptable global leaders who advance transformative change for the good of all – is truly exciting.
Empowering our research and creative endeavours – by working through the lens of inclusive excellence – will be essential in achieving the important priorities set in U of T Scarborough’s Strategic Plan. As we embark on the implementation of this plan, we will be intentionally inclusive of: the diverse origins of our campus community, the diverse pathways for creating knowledge (including diverse knowledges, approaches, and communities), and the diverse pathways for mobilizing knowledge for transformative impact.
Over the next few years, I commit to lead the UTSC community in implementing our strategic research priorities, which include: developing the convergent research approaches necessary to tackle global challenges; enhancing institutional resources to support faculty in pursuing large-scale partnerships and projects; engaging a greater number and diversity of external partners to strengthen our local and global impacts; creating “flagship” research initiatives that increase the position of the campus as a major player in transformative impact; and enriching the research culture to support a vibrant intellectual community that is a destination of choice for disruptive thought leaders and innovative thinkers.
I look forward to working with you.
Irena F. Creed, PhD, FRSC, Hon. D. Agr. Sci.,
Professor and Vice-Principal Research & Innovation