David Gauntlett and Sharareh Taghipour named new Canada Research Chairs

Ryerson University is pleased to announce the endowment of two new Canada Research Chairs (CRCs) and the renewal of a second term CRC.

David Gauntlett, a professor in the School of Creative Industries, was named a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Creative Innovation and Learning. His research will explore platforms for creativity, creative identities, leadership and public understanding of creative practice – which are essential to the development and design of content and technologies in business, media, educational organizations and cultural institutions.

Sharareh Taghipour was named a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Physical Asset Management. A researcher in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, professor Taghipour’s work will address reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in industries such as transportation, commercial building and heavy manufacturing, through the development of state-of-the-art methodologies to enhance energy efficiency. Her approach includes the optimization of physical assets such as turbines, transformers and dams, and carbon-intensive industries such as mining, iron and steel.

As a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Digital Media and Innovation, professor Ali Mazalek (RTA School of Media) will continue her foundation of research into new modalities that integrate the digital and physical to interface between humans and computers. Her work in tangible design and embodied cognition, which includes utilizing interactive tables and multi-touch walls, is leading to process innovation in areas such as scientific modeling, computer engineering and inclusive technologies for children with special needs.

The Canada Research Chair program (external link)  enables post-secondary institutions to retain or attract thought-leaders in social sciences, humanities, health sciences, engineering and natural sciences. “By providing researchers the opportunity to advance their fields of inquiry, we are leveraging Canada’s innovation agenda,” said professor Steven N. Liss, Ryerson’s vice-president, research and innovation. “Novel thinking and pioneering methods to address societal need go beyond academic borders, translating theory to practice, and positively benefiting the social fabric of our country and the health of our planet.”

The Government of Canada announced (external link)  more than $156 million for new and renewed Canada Research Chairs at postsecondary institutions across Canada from the most recent competition under the CRC program. As well as, $6.8 million in funding for research infrastructure, from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (external link)  to support CRCs.

View the full list of Ryerson’s Canada Research Chairs.