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New Concordia Research Chairs celebrated 

Appointments will advance overall academic agenda

On March 3, the Office of Vice-President Research and Graduate Studies gathered in the president's conference room to celebrate the 11 recently-appointed Concordia University Research Chairs (CURC).

In a friendly, collegial ambiance, the new research chair holders were fêted by their peers and university administrators. The informal 5-à-7, a suggestion of the University Research Committee, provided a chance for the new chairs to introduce themselves, to network and converse about their respective areas of expertise. As well, it gave the opportunity for them to chat with President Judith Woodsworth, Provost David Graham and VP Research and Graduate Studies Louise Dandurand.

"Research is important, not only for Concordia’s overall development, but also in terms of our institution’s contribution to and responsibility for addressing societal problems or crisis areas and finding ways to deal with critical social, economic and scientific issues," said Woodsworth during her address at the event.

From the Faculty of Arts and Science, the new chairs are John Capobianco, chemistry and biochemistry; Nina Howe, education; Viviane Namaste, Simone de Beauvoir Institute; Vladimir Titorenko, biology; and Barbara Woodside, psychology. From the Faculty of Fine Arts; Martha Langford, art history; Erin Manning and Thomas Waugh, Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema. From the John Molson School of Business; Bianca Grohmann and Gad Saad, marketing; and Mick Carney, management.

Delivered in a casual manner, Graham expressed his admiration for all of the remarkable research being done here – not only acknowledging the new appointees in front of him, but all the many talented researchers at Concordia.

"Our only regret about the CURC program is that it can't be bigger and we can't have more research chairs," he said.

The appointments, explained Dandurand, are awarded to Concordia faculty who excel and demonstrate leadership in their respective areas of expertise.

“The CURC program is extremely important to retaining Concordia’s top researchers. It also enhances Concordia’s competitiveness and ability to attract elite graduate students from around the world, ”said VP Research and Graduate Studies Louise Dandurand. “The entire Concordia research community greatly benefits from the innovative leadership of these chair holders.

"These research chairs illustrate the richness, quality and breadth of research and creative activities being undertaken at Concordia,”