Message from the Vice-President, Research and Innovation
I am delighted to present the 2024–2025 annual report celebrating the scholarly, research and creative (SRC) achievements of our faculty and students.
This was a historic year for Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). TMU secured $131.4 million in externally funded research — the highest level in the university’s history. This milestone reflects not only growth in funding, but growth in research intensity, scale and institutional ambition. Our faculty continued to publish at a strong pace, produce award-winning creative works and build partnerships that extended reach and impact. Their SRC endeavours shape public policy, advance technology, strengthen professional practices and contribute solutions to complex societal challenges.
This progress did not happen by accident. It is the result of sustained focus, disciplined investment and a clear strategic vision for SRC at TMU.
Over the past several years, we have strengthened the institutional infrastructure required to support an SRC enterprise operating at greater scale and complexity. The Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation (OVPRI) has expanded supports, modernized policies and processes, and built critical linkages with advancement, legal and other central partners to ensure that researchers have the frameworks necessary to pursue ambitious opportunities. Scaling research requires more than individual excellence; it requires systems, governance and coordination. The advances we have made are a testament to the strength of the OVPRI team. We are proud of the progress, mindful of the gaps and committed to the work still ahead.
“Scaling research requires more than individual excellence; it requires systems, governance and coordination.”
This year marked the launch of our (PDF file) 2025–2030 Strategic Research Plan. Developed through broad consultation, the Plan articulates clear priorities aligned with societal needs and institutional strengths. It positions TMU to accelerate growth in areas where we have established critical mass and competitive advantage. The Plan reflects our belief that SRC activity is not peripheral to the university’s mission — it is central to it. It provides the framework to guide institutional investment, focus our efforts and sustain momentum.
Collaboration remains at the core of our approach. The most complex challenges — in health, cybersecurity, AI, migration, sustainability — cannot be addressed within silos. We continue to foster cross-disciplinary initiatives that bring together diverse expertise and perspectives. Events such as our Aging Symposium and the iBEST Symposium are catalysts that connect researchers with varied interests and backgrounds to look at difficult challenges in new ways.
In an era of geopolitical uncertainty, universities must also recognize their role in what is often described as science diplomacy. Research transcends borders. International collaboration is essential not only for advancing knowledge but for strengthening economic resilience, national security and global stability. TMU is committed to building strategic partnerships that elevate Canada’s competitiveness while protecting academic integrity and research security. We see our SRC enterprise as both a national asset and a global contributor.
Sustained SRC excellence requires a breadth of talent and perspective. TMU continues to attract and retain exceptional scholars, including prestigious research chairs and emerging leaders, while cultivating a research environment where equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility enrich intellectual rigour and innovation. A diversity of perspectives strengthens discovery, broadens methodological approaches and enhances impact. Our success is grounded in the collective talent of our faculty, staff, students and partners.
Today’s challenges create tomorrow’s leaders. Through undergraduate research opportunities, enhanced graduate training and expanded support for postdoctoral fellows, we are integrating students meaningfully into the SRC enterprise. Students involved directly in SRC activities become alumni who flourish as scholars, entrepreneurs, innovators and creators.
The milestone we achieved this year is significant, but it is not the destination. With scale comes responsibility: to invest wisely, to strengthen our support systems, to protect research integrity and to remain disciplined in our strategic choices. The foundation we have built positions TMU to continue expanding its impact while navigating an increasingly complex funding and policy environment.
The work ahead is demanding, and we are prepared for it. More importantly, I am confident in our ability to sustain this trajectory — with focus, ambition and a shared commitment to excellence.
Steven N. Liss, PhD
Vice-President, Research and Innovation
