York recently hosted an external review of the Organized Research Unit (ORU) landscape. The purpose of the review was to seek feedback on how to best position York’s research centres and institutes for success, as they continue to strengthen and enhance their research profiles.
“Building on the foundation of the University’s new ORU policy approved this spring in Senate, this external review will help provide guidance on how to best move forward and strategically position the University’s Organized Research Units for long-range success,” said Robert Haché, vice-president research and innovation. “Our goal is to build on national and international best practices to provide the best environment and 
supports possible to our research centres and institutes, as we work towards the continued growth and development of the University’s vibrant interdisciplinary research culture.”
Robert Haché
Recognizing the contribution that ORUs make towards building the University’s national and international reputation for leadership in research, reviewers were asked to address high level questions and provide recommendations for enhancements that would optimally position them for success.
External reviewers on this initiative included: Yvonne Lefebvre, vice-president research at Providence Healthcare and associate dean research in Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia, Wayne McCready, director of the Calgary Institute for the Humanities at the University of Calgary, and George Pavlich, professor of law and sociology and associate vice-president research at the University of Alberta.
They conducted a site visit at York on June 19 and 20 and met with members of the York research community, including directors, faculty members, students and staff from the ORUs to solicit feedback and discuss the structure of the ORUs, the mechanisms that make them effective and identify areas for continuous improvement.
The external review committee is expected to provide comprehensive high-level recommendations in a report to be submitted by the end of the summer, which will be made available to the York community.
To view bios of the members of the external review committee, click here.