Strengthening the research culture

Strengthening the research culture

July 17, 2015

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[Research Mentors Yolande Chan]
Yolande Chan, Associate Vice-Principal (Research), the Queen鈥檚 Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) leader, says she has seen increased engagement for faculty through the Research Mentors program. (University Communications)

The Vice-Principal (Research) portfolio is aiming to increase research engagement, collaboration and funding for faculty conducting their research in the social sciences, humanities and the creative arts through a research mentorship pilot initiative.

While the newly created Research Mentors program definitely has a mentoring aspect, it actually provides much more. The 16 Research Mentors act as leaders in peer review processes for grant applications to improve funding success. They also help to identify potential nominees for awards and research celebrations, like the recent PechaKucha Research Showcase.

The Research Mentors are mid-career to senior faculty in the social sciences, humanities and the creative arts with a high level of experience and knowledge of the grant application processes. The role is voluntary, and each Research Mentor has the freedom to approach the position differently 鈥 but they are all encouraged to start peer review processes in their cognate groups, and to develop awards committees.

鈥淭he early results have been positive,鈥 says Yolande Chan, Associate Vice-Principal (Research), the Queen鈥檚 Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) leader, and an E. Marie Shantz Professor of Management Information Systems in the Queen鈥檚 School of Business. 鈥淪ome mentors are very much on fire and they themselves have been renewed as a result of being part of this program and are now acting in catalytic ways, assisting others.鈥

The effects of the Research Mentors can also be seen in the turnout for events such as a recent information session on SSHRC Insight Grant applications where many more people registered than in the recent past. 鈥淲e are already seeing greater SSHRC engagement,鈥 she says. 鈥淭he program is designed to strengthen the research culture by creating excitement and a buzz. The Research Mentors are actively promoting, giving visibility to, and celebrating their colleagues鈥 success.鈥

Further information can be found at the . Questions about the program may be directed to Dr. Yolande Chan, Associate Vice-Principal (Research).

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