As part of our ongoing efforts to provide timely information to the research community on the impact to research in response to public health case updates, the VPR provides frequent email communications and website updates for reassurance and guidance.
At this time, we ask researchers to continue to follow protocols and public health guidance in conducting research activity, in self-monitoring and monitoring research personnel, and in responding to potential or confirmed cases of COVID-19. Vigilance is particularly important for any approved research involving in-person human participation with vulnerable populations.
Newly posted on the VPR website are the structure and response protocols to guide the controlled slowing of the research enterprise in response to COVID-19 incidents. Central to the planning, with due consideration to risk and public health guidance, is supporting the continuity of research.
The website will also continue to provide updates on the Canada Research Continuity Emergency Fund (CRCEF). The temporary program was established by the Government of Canada to help sustain the research enterprise at Canadian universities and health research institutions that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Stage 3 of the program supports direct costs of research, and the details of eligible expenses are provided on the website.
Research News
The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) announced a contribution of $6.5 million to Toronto Innovation Acceleration Partners (TIAP). The funding will be matched by TIAP and program collaborators, including Queen’s University, to leverage TIAP’s decade-long expertise in scouting and incubating health science technologies, enable access to management talent for health science ventures, and support the growth of health science companies into domestic anchor companies.
The VPR is gearing up to launch the next Wicked Ideas competition in November. A key strategic goal of this competition is to support and strengthen opportunities for teams of researchers at Queen’s to successfully compete in the New Frontiers in Research suite of programs. Wicked Ideas proceeds in two phases, the first of which awards $75,000 to winning teams, and the second of which awards $150,000 to select teams from phase one. Details regarding the next competition are forthcoming on the VPR website.
For a third year in a row Queen’s is ranked fifth out of the 15 medical-doctoral universities across the country, according to the 2021 Maclean’s university rankings. Within the various adjudication categories, Queen’s ranked second for prizes/awards for faculty members, and sixth for medical/science grants.
The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) has awarded its Prix d'Excellence 2020 to Kenneth Frank, Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biology.
Heather Castleden, Canada Research Chair in Reconciling Relationships for Health, Environments, and Communities, was awarded a Fulbright Visiting Research Chair at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa to engage with Native Hawaiians about their leadership in renewable energy projects.
Three Queen’s University researchers have been inducted into the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS), one of Canada’s premier academic honours:
- Janet Dancey (Oncology)
- Marcia Finlayson (School of Rehabilitation Therapy)
- Graeme Smith Obstetrics and Gynaecology)
Seven members of the Faculty of Health Sciences have been awarded a total of $5.76M in funding from the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR), Canada’s federal agency for funding health research.