In 2024 the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) marked its 60th Anniversary with both celebration and reflection. Over the decades, FGS has become a cornerstone of research and academic excellence, fostering scholarship, diversity, and innovation. As FGS marked 60 years, there was renewed commitment not just to celebrate past achievements, but also to lay the foundation for a future that would be more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable than ever before.
The FGS leadership understood that this milestone was an opportunity to further advance its dedication to Decolonization, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (DEDI). This vision led to the creation of the FGS 60th Anniversary Award, an initiative designed to support part-time Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) scholars who were balancing academic progress with other commitments and responsibilities. With six awards given over multiple years, this scholarship will help bridge the gap for students who faced financial hardship and additional barriers, offering them the chance to thrive academically while pursuing their graduate studies.
In addition to the financial support, FGS also recognized the need for a broader conversation around the experiences of graduate supervisors and students. That’s why, in partnership with Memorial University (MUN) and the Canadian Association for Graduate Studies (CAGS), FGS organized a national conference on best practices for Graduate Supervision in Canada. This event attracted hundreds of graduate supervisors and administrators from across the country, making it a pivotal moment for sharing knowledge, resources, and strategies to improve graduate education and mentorship.
FGS has also taken bold steps to integrate the values of DEDI into academic practice and policy. The FGS Faculty Council, alongside various standing committees, has begun implementing decolonizing frameworks and promoting inclusive academic resources for both students and staff. This work was essential in confronting the systemic inequities embedded in graduate education.
As part of their ongoing efforts to attract exceptional scholars and researchers from underrepresented groups, FGS proudly announced the recipients of the 2024 Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowships for Black and Indigenous Scholars. This prestigious fellowship program, offering a $70,000 salary for two years, gives talented Black and Indigenous scholars the opportunity to delve into groundbreaking research projects while receiving mentorship and support from leading academic figures. These fellows were at the forefront of pushing the boundaries of knowledge, tackling crucial problems from Indigenous sociocultural resurgence to sustainable solutions for drinking water management.
Meanwhile, FGS had also made important strides in sustainability. As part of York University's broader Sustainability Strategy, the Faculty of Graduate Studies revised its thesis and dissertation defence practices. By reducing the need for long-distance travel, FGS contributed significantly to the university’s goal of reducing its carbon footprint.
Another significant milestone in FGS’ 60th year was the overhaul of Intellectual Property Policy for Graduate Programs. This update emphasizes clear and transparent guidelines for intellectual property rights, while also addressing the unique considerations of Indigenous knowledge, knowledge keepers and communities. The Faculty of Graduate Studies took an active role in decolonizing approaches to intellectual property, recognizing the importance of protecting Indigenous intellectual contributions and ensuring that those contributions were respected within academic and research contexts.
FGS is making strides in outreach and recruitment. In response to the growing global demand for graduate education, FGS ramped up its efforts to attract students from diverse backgrounds. Our recruitment team hosted over 40 information sessions, nearly 100 office hour drop-ins, and numerous other events designed to engage prospective students. From Experience Grad York (our institutional open house) to virtual sessions for Markham-bound students, FGS committed to helping students navigate the application process, with special attention to those who needed additional support. By partnering with internal groups like York International, ACMAPS, and the Career Centre, FGS ensured that prospective students had the resources they needed to succeed.
As part of its commitment to continuous service improvement, embarked on a comprehensive project to transform five pan-university graduate processes: 1) Graduate Petition Portal 2.0, 2) Proposal Milestone, 3) Supervisor & Supervisory Committee, 4) Oral Exam, and 5) Progress Report. This initiative, powered by Flowable technology, sought to move graduate processes online, making them more transparent and streamlined. Processes were digitized, allowing for easier access and improved service delivery for students and faculty alike.
FGS is equally proud of new and exciting development from the graduate programs themselves – including, this year, the announcement of a new PhD program in Disaster and Emergency Management (DEM), slated for commence in Fall 2025. York University is extremely proud to be able to offer Canada’s first-ever doctoral program in DEM. Disaster studies has become an expanding academic and professional field that is sure to experience increased relevancy for the foreseeable future.
Our Faculty’s legacy of excellence has only just begun. With its unwavering commitment to research excellence and knowledge creation, DEDI, sustainability, and transformative graduate education, FGS is setting the stage for a future where exceptional academic opportunities are accessible to all, and where diverse scholars can thrive and contribute to socially engaged research and problem-solving. The next 60 years promise even greater possibilities, as we continue to push the boundaries of what higher education could be, for everyone.