TORONTO, October 31, 2003 -- York University researchers are climbing the list of Canada’s top innovators, according to the latest rankings released today by one of Canada’s leading research analysis firms.
In a year when both of Toronto’s other universities experienced an overall drop in sponsored research funding, York saw a dramatic 51.5-per cent increase to lead all medical/doctoral and comprehensive institutions in funding growth.
The average increase in sponsored funding across Canada was 12.1%, down by about half over previous years. The rankings, published annually by Research Infosource Inc., are currently available online and will be included in a special supplement to the National Post on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
"These results are particularly gratifying for the recognition they provide to all of our exceptional and hard-working researchers and reflect York’s leadership in groundbreaking interdisciplinary and collaborative research," said Stan Shapson, vice-president of research & innovation. " Clearly, York’s focused, strategic approach to advancing our position as a dynamic research institution is working and achieving measurable results."
York’s improved standing in the survey is also a reflection of changes in the indicators used to gauge research excellence. In addition to gross research income, which Research Infosource acknowledges is a "crude measure", the rankings also take into account research intensity – the amount of research income per faculty and graduate student. The study now also measures research output by tracking articles published in 5,000 of the world’s leading scientific journals. York and others have been voicing their support for the inclusion of criteria that better reflect the qualitative value of research and the impact it has on everyday life.
"This improved scoring method helps bring York’s approach to research and innovation into sharper focus by recognizing the quality of the work, not just the dollars it attracts," said Shapson. In previous studies large universities with medical faculties dominated the rankings by the sheer size of projects. While universities with medical faculties still attracted the largest proportion of funding, other universities’ share grew by 2 per cent. That growth is due in part to the success York and other universities have had in increasing their emphasis on research, said the study’s authors.
York University pursues research in a wide range of areas, such as air quality, infectious disease, urban sprawl, sustainability, the culture of cities, international security, and schoolyard bullying. "York University and it’s many dedicated faculty members and graduate students are pursuing new discoveries, addressing real-world challenges and redefining university research in Canada," Shapson said.
York University offers a world-class, modern academic experience in Toronto, Canada's most international city. York is at the centre of innovation, with a thriving community of faculty, students, staff and alumni who challenge the ordinary and deliver the unexpected. York faculty members are internationally recognized for their pioneering research and leadership in teaching. York is the third largest university in Canada with over 47,000 students in 10 faculties, 21 research centres, and more than 170,000 alumni.
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For more information, contact:
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Nancy White |
David Fuller |
YU/125/03
