UVic Strengthens Global Research Reputation With New Canada Research Chairs
The University of Victoria has earned national recognition after receiving three new Canada Research Chairs along with one renewed appointment, reinforcing its growing influence in social justice, Indigenous resurgence and renewable energy innovation.
The announcement was made Wednesday as part of a federal initiative celebrating research excellence across Canada. The appointments are expected to deepen UVic’s impact in community-driven scholarship, public policy and sustainable development.
According to Lisa Kalynchuk, the Canada Research Chairs program enables the university to attract leading scholars from around the world while promoting transformative research that improves society through innovation and community engagement.
The recipients were officially introduced by Karim Bardeesy under the federally administered Canada Research Chairs program, managed through the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat.
Among the most notable appointments, Heidi Kiiwetinepinesiik Stark received a prestigious Tier I Canada Research Chair in The Embodied Politics of Indigenous Law. Her groundbreaking work focuses on revitalizing Anishinaabe legal traditions through community-centred governance, cultural knowledge and relational accountability.
Stark’s research uniquely combines storytelling, beadwork, quilting and land-based teachings to explore Indigenous governance through lived cultural practices. The initiative aims to create a deeper and more holistic understanding of Indigenous legal systems while strengthening cultural resurgence within communities.
The latest appointments further solidify UVic’s position as a leading Canadian institution committed to advancing impactful research that addresses global challenges and supports inclusive social transformation.
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