CITY draws researchers from the majority of York University’s faculties and from the larger community in Toronto, the GTA, across Canada and globally.
Located on the seventh floor of the Kaneff Tower, the CITY Institute houses the Director and staff along with post-doctoral, graduate and undergraduate students, as well as visiting researches, while other York faculty members maintain offices across the campus. The CITY also hosts a Student Caucus, and provides a limited number of paid opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students to become Research Assistants. The CITY Institute also provides space for resident Partners.
Membership in CITY is determined by the Director and the Executive Committee, which approve applications for membership. Membership of applicants based at York will be reviewed and approved by the Director. Applicants external to York will require the approval of the Executive Committee. Decisions are guided by criteria determined by the Executive, including the promotion of equity and of diversity of membership according to discipline and stage of career. Members will be known as Affiliates and their names and information on their research interests and expertise will appear on the CITY website.
Please fill out the attached form if you wish to become a member of the CITY.
Responsibilities of members
Building a collaborative and multidisciplinary community of urban-based scholars at York University is central to the Institute’s mandate. As a result, members are expected to maintain a substantial relationship with the Institute. This may take numerous forms, including active involvement in CITY projects or programs, participation in CITY governance, attendance at CITY events such as conferences and seminar series, submission of research funding applications through CITY, and participation in CITY-administered research projects. In addition to having an active research agenda, they should also be willing to allow the Institute, through its website, to publicize their research achievements and successful grant applications. All affiliations must comply with York University’s policies and procedures, particularly around grant applications.
Privileges of members
Alongside the intangible advantages of involvement in a community of urban researchers, membership can provide members with various privileges including administrative support (with the Director’s approval), access to shared office space and meeting rooms, use of the CITY website to disseminate information, the opportunity to apply for funding in association with the Institute, and the right to associate themselves publicly with the Institute.
Membership review
The Executive Committee monitors the CITY membership annually to ensure that relevant constituencies are represented and members are fulfilling their responsibilities. If not, the Director takes appropriate action, which may range from friendly reminders to revocation of privileges and termination of membership. The Executive also identify gaps in the current membership that could be filled by recruiting new members.
(1) CITY Faculty Affiliates are part-time, full-time or emeritus faculty members at York University. They are engaged in research in the field and are
expected to participate in the intellectual life of the Institute. For York faculty members (tenured, emeritus, tenure-track, or contractual), membership is by invitation or application for a five-year term, which will align with the ORUs chartering process. There is no limit to the number of core Faculty or the number of times their membership may be renewed. Five years after last indicating a desire to be affiliated with the Institute, members in all categories will be asked if they wish to remain affiliated with the Institute. If there is no reply, their information will be taken off the Institute’s website.
(2) CITY External Affiliates comprise two groups:
(i) Community members, activists, public officials, researchers or policy analysts not affiliated with a university whose activities (work or non-work) relate substantively to the research concerns of CITY. This membership category recognizes the important contributions public intellectuals make to the on-going scholarly life of the Institute. Members are expected to participate in the research and intellectual life of the Institute. Membership is by invitation or application for a temporary and limited time period, renewable if appropriate., using criteria approved by the Executive Committee.
(ii) Faculty members at other universities, for whom membership is either through invitation, or by application, and requires substantive and continuing participation in the intellectual life of the Institute. Appointments of faculty external to York are made for up to three years, renewable.
(3) CITY Post-doctoral Fellows
Post‐doctoral fellows are researchers who work on projects based at CITY and are usually supervised by a CITY Faculty Associate. They have either been awarded external post‐doctoral funding (e.g. SSHRC, Banting) or are directly employed by the university on a CITY based research project. Their membership is determined by the duration of their funding, upon completion of which, they can apply for CITY Associate status, which will need to be approved by the CITY Executive Committee.
(4) CITY Graduate Affiliates (masters and doctoral) form two groups:
(i) Graduate students at York University whose program of learning and research intersects with urban-based research and who wish to participate in the activities of CITY. Following application, membership status is subject to the approval of the Executive Committee. Upon receiving membership, this status is valid while the student is formally enrolled at York University. As members, they have the ability to propose initiatives and to benefit from administrative assistance in organizing events, subject to the approval of the Director;
(ii) Graduate / Research assistants employed either directly by CITY or working on CITY projects are given automatic membership for the period of their employment.
(5) CITY Undergraduate Affiliates are York University students who are:
(i) employed in CITY projects;
(ii) volunteering in CITY activities;
(iii) involved in York University’s international programs;
(iv) are members of the Federation of Urban Studies Students Executive; or
(v) interns from the SOSC 4710 Urban Studies Field Experience course.
In each case, membership status is automatic and for a temporary and limited time period, subject to verification by the Executive Committee.
(6) CITY Visiting Scholars:
(i) The City Institute is able to accommodate a limited number of visiting scholars each year, each with varying lengths of appointments. There are three types of visiting scholar:
a. Emeritus Visiting Scholar (emeritus faculty members);
b. Senior Visiting Scholar (full-time or part-time faculty members as well as active senior researchers not affiliated with a university);
c. Junior Visiting Scholar (post-doctoral fellows and graduate students from other institutions who are visiting York University through an international exchange as well as active junior researchers not affiliated with a university).
Normally, we can provide visitors with a shared workspace, Internet access, and library privileges. There is no monetary funding available for visiting scholar appointments. These researchers are engaged in urban-based research and are expected to participate in the intellectual life of the Institute. If possible, they will give a presentation during their stay. Applications are posted on the Institute’s website. Appointments are for a temporary and limited time period, subject to verification by the Executive Committee and space being available for their accommodation.
(ii) Visiting Scholar in Critical Urban Studies (Post-doctoral or Professor level). This visiting position is in partnership with the Urban Studies Program at York University. Applicants must have a Ph.D in any discipline with a focus on critical urban studies. The position is available for a one year period or for one or two semesters. The Urban Studies program will offer the opportunity to teach a (remunerated) upper level undergraduate course. The City Institute will offer an office space, library privileges, and limited administrative support. Visiting scholars will be expected to present their research at a seminar or public lecture organized by the Urban Studies Program and the City Institute. Appointments are subject to approval by a joint committee of two members of the Urban Studies program and the CITY Director.
Please see Visiting Scholars webpage for further details on how to apply.
(6) CITY Staff Members are non-student, staff employed, including contractually, by CITY to perform functions other than to conduct research. Appointments are made by the University in conjunction with the Director. The membership status is automatic, subject to verification by the Director.