TORONTO, Oct. 15, 2021 — Following an extensive search, York University is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Gordon Binsted to the position of Deputy Provost Markham, with a five-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2022.
“This is an exciting time in York’s evolution as we continue to advance plans for our new Markham Campus, where students will have access to innovative academic and research programs supported by local partners in an iconic and smart learning space,” said Rhonda Lenton, President and Vice-Chancellor. “We are delighted to be welcoming Dr. Binsted to York as our new Deputy Provost, Markham, and we look forward to working closely with him as we prepare to welcome our first cohort of students in September 2023.”
Binsted joins York from University of British Columbia, where he has most recently served as Dean, Faculty of Health and Social Development at the Okanagan Campus. During his time as Dean, which began in 2011, he has additionally served as Associate Provost, Strategic Health Initiatives; interim Dean, Faculty of Education; interim Vice-Principal Research for UBC Okanagan Campus, and interim Vice-Principal Academic and Provost for UBC Okanagan Campus. His extensive academic leadership experience at UBC has included a role as Founding Director of that university’s School of Health and Exercise Sciences, the development of new degree programs and the re-design of curricula, all while working to focus faculty time and resources on research intensification.
Binsted’s efforts at UBC have included developing a campus-wide co-op program and a campus-industry incubator, as well as advancing supportive admissions for Indigenous learners. Prior to these leadership roles, Binsted taught at the Universities of British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Illinois, Urbana-Champagne, and held roles as Research Fellow at University of Aberdeen and the Beckman Institute in Illinois. With extensive experience in collegial governance across the university system, Binsted is strongly committed to offering opportunities to students to expand their world view and see themselves as responsible to become leaders in their communities. An advocate for diversity and inclusion in the widest sense, he supports York taking on a national leadership role on reconciliation and the decolonization of the institution.
“It is privilege to be joining one of the best universities in the country at such a pivotal time in its history,” said Binsted. “Situated in the fastest growing region in Ontario, York University’s Markham Campus will offer students innovative, relevant, job-ready academic programming and research opportunities focused on creative technologies, entrepreneurship and innovation management, digital technologies, new media and communications, financial technologies, and computer science and software development. The new campus is also an opportunity to further strengthen the University’s contributions to the social and economic well-being of communities in surrounding York Region and beyond. I look forward to seeing this vision through to reality.”
Binsted holds degrees from University of British Columbia, McMaster University and University of Alberta, where he completed his PhD in Experimental Psychology. His research explores ways in which the human brain controls movement by detecting and using sensory information. He has published dozens of articles in the top journals in his field and has contributed book chapters and conference proceedings to significant publications and societies. He has received numerous research grants, including several from the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation. He has given more than 200 presentations at conferences and as a keynote speaker.
York University is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change and prepare our students for success. York's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. York’s campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.
Media contact: Kayla Lewis, lewiskay@yorku.ca, 416-455-4710
