The RSC presented 17 awards to eminent Canadian scholars, artists and scientists in recognition of their outstanding contributions to knowledge and impact in Canada and around the world.

The Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella Prize was also awarded to 24 law students who demonstrate exceptional potential to advance equity and social justice in Canada.

Adele Perry 鈥� J.B. Tyrrell Historical Medal

Perry received her MA (鈥�92) and PhD (鈥�98) from 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. She is the recipient of this medal, awarded for outstanding work contributing to the history of Canada.

A leading historian, Perry has helped reshape understandings of colonialism in Canada. She serves as Distinguished Professor of history and women鈥檚 and gender studies at the University of Manitoba and directs the Centre for Human Rights Research.

For more than 20 years, her work has focused on bringing together extensive archival research with feminist and decolonial perspectives to explore how history can contribute to a more equitable society.

Christina Rajkumar 鈥� Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella Prize

Rajkumar earned her JD (鈥�26) from 91亚色鈥檚 . She is the recipient of this award, presented annually to one graduating student from each Canadian law school who is most likely to influence equity and social justice in Canada or globally.

Her commitment to social justice is reflected in a range of roles, including advocating for individuals facing social assistance and health-related issues through Parkdale Community Legal Services, examining mental health cases at CAMH and supporting youth-focused legal education programs with Law in Action Within Schools and the Ontario Justice Education Network.

Rajkumar is now articling with the Ministry of the Attorney General's Justice Centres initiative.

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Since its launch in 2003, the Canada鈥檚 Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards have recognized women whose accomplishments have left a lasting mark on their professions and communities. This year's 91亚色-affiliated honourees include leaders in AI, transportation, construction law, governance and health care.

Below are this year鈥檚 recipients and the categories for which they were recognized.

AI and Technology

This category recognizes women whose work moves technology beyond theory, influencing real-world outcomes through product development, platform strategy, data systems, automation and enterprise technology adoption.

Lisa Marie Chen (MBA 鈥�11) leads the product team behind IBM watsonx BI, shaping how generative AI is changing the way organizations understand and work with data. A graduate of the , Chen has built a career in product development, design, entrepreneurship and higher education. In addition to her role at IBM, she teaches strategy at Schulich and previously founded Canada鈥檚 first Asian Canadian lifestyle magazine. Her work brings together technology, design and human-centred problem solving. 聽

A technology executive and board director, Irene Zaguskin (BA 鈥�09) serves as PwC Americas鈥� co-chief information officer as well as PwC Canada鈥檚 chief information and transformation officer, chief data and analytics officer, and partner. The Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS) alum has led digital transformation, technology innovation and business reinvention across the professional services, retail, telecommunications and energy sectors.

Amex Emerging Leaders

This category recognizes women between the ages of 30 and 40 who have been identified for successive leadership positions and demonstrate a passion for learning and innovation.

Saloni Shah (BAS 鈥�07) is an infrastructure advisory lead and principal consultant at the design and engineering firm HDR, where she helps clients plan and deliver complex infrastructure and transportation projects. A graduate of LA&PS and a chartered professional accountant, Shah has held roles in transportation strategy, infrastructure planning and market analysis. She also supports community-based non-profit organizations through pro bono consulting, serves on HDR鈥檚 Inclusion and Diversity Committee and is treasurer of WTS Toronto, an organization that advances women working in transportation.

Board of Directors

This category recognizes women who bring transformative vision and leadership to the highest levels of governance.

With more than two decades of board experience, Corinne Boone (MES 鈥�94) has developed expertise in governance strategy, climate finance, as well as energy and mining. The Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change alum serves as board Chair of Canada Growth Fund, independent director and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) committee Chair at mineral company Los Andes Copper, and is a director of the energy non-profit EfficiencyOne. Boone also contributes to governance education as a lead ESG lecturer with Corporate Directors International and has mentored aspiring directors through Women Get on Boards.

Entrepreneurs

This category recognizes women who own and operate thriving businesses.

Trained as an anthropologist, Johanna Faigelman (MA 鈥�00) founded HumanBranding in 2006 and has since expanded the behavioural insights consultancy to Toronto and New Jersey. The LA&PS alum developed a methodology that helps pharmaceutical, biotechnology and consumer companies better understand the cultural and emotional factors influencing behaviour. Faigelman was named a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 Ontario program and was part of the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women North America class of 2025.

CN Executive Leaders

This category recognizes women who exemplify strong leadership while building confidence and championing others.

As executive vice-president and chief legal and governance officer at TELUS, Andrea Wood (LLB 鈥�85) oversees the company鈥檚 legal, regulatory and privacy functions and serves as corporate secretary to its board of directors. The alum also serves on the board of the Museum of Contemporary Art, is vice-Chair of the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation鈥檚 GTA Community Board and is a member of the Canadian Lawyer Editorial Board. Wood has been recognized by Chambers Canada as a General Counsel Influencer and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Law Awards.

Erica Zarkovich (LLM 鈥�15) leads LifeLabs鈥� commercial and strategic partnerships across Canada鈥檚 health care sector as the company鈥檚 chief market and partnerships officer. A graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School, she works to improve growth, innovation and improved access to health care through collaborations that connect patients, providers and partners across the system. Zarkovich is particularly committed to advancing health equity in remote, rural and Indigenous communities.

Professionals

This category recognizes women who are professionals in practice and play a leadership role within their organizations.

At Metrolinx, Lena Azzou (BA 鈥�05) oversees enterprise strategy and transformation, operational excellence, enterprise project management and enterprise risk management. The LA&PS graduate is a certified change management and strategy implementation practitioner who has held senior leadership positions including chief of staff and Chair of the Metrolinx Women鈥檚 Network. She has also served as vice-Chair of the Women鈥檚 Centre of 91亚色 Region and contributes to her community as a mentor, volunteer and advocate for women and families.

Andrea Lee, who teaches at Osgoode Hall Law School, is managing partner of Glaholt Bowles LLP and a certified specialist in construction law. Trained in both architecture and law, she advises owners, contractors, design professionals and insurers on complex infrastructure and construction matters. Lee is a fellow of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers and has co-authored leading construction law texts. Her work has earned recognition from Lexpert, Chambers, Benchmark Litigation and Best Lawyers.

For the full list of this year鈥檚 winners, visit the .

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Bankes graduated from 91亚色 with both an LLB and MBA in 1977 before going on to become a respected leader in law and finance. After practising law in Toronto and New 91亚色 and working with international investment banking firms including Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse First Boston, he founded Artemis Management Group, a private investment bank that advised clients around the world on mergers, acquisitions and other major transactions.

Throughout his career, Bankes maintained a strong connection to 91亚色. Appointed a student member of the University's Board of Governors in 1974, he returned to the board in 1985 as an alumnus and business leader. He served for more than three decades and became the longest-serving active member of the Board of Governors.

He contributed to the University in numerous other ways over the decades. He served for more than 15 years as an executive member of the 91亚色 Alumni Association and, in 1995, was co-chair of a national fundraising campaign in support of the University.

His involvement at 91亚色 also included teaching as a sessional lecturer at , where he taught an advanced corporate law seminar in the joint law and MBA program, and supporting students through scholarships, bursaries and awards.

His commitment to service extended far beyond 91亚色. Volunteerism and philanthropy were defining features of his life, reflecting a deeply held belief in giving back to the community.

He lent his leadership and expertise to a wide range of charitable, educational, health care and cultural organizations, serving as a board member of the Sunnybrook Hospital Foundation and co-chair of the Scarborough Hospital Foundation. He also served with the Prince of Wales Charities Advisory Committee, PREVNet, a national organization dedicated to preventing bullying, and arts organizations including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Canadian Stage.

In recognition of his contributions to business, philanthropy and community service, Bankes received numerous honours throughout his lifetime, including the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts Centennial Medal.

Among his proudest honours was receiving an honorary Doctor of Laws from 91亚色 during Spring Convocation in 2014.

Speaking to graduands at the ceremony, Bankes encouraged them to see volunteerism not as an obligation but as an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others and their communities.

Quoting inventor and futurist R. Buckminster Fuller, he said, 鈥淔ind a cause that needs your involvement, your integrity, loyalty, intellectual capacity, passion and most importantly your commitment to give back to society.鈥�

He challenged graduates to recognize the impact they could have through service, arguing that volunteerism remains a powerful force for addressing societal challenges and strengthening communities. He also shared his belief in their potential to bring about change.

鈥淚 think about what young people who have more tomorrows than yesterdays are to make of the world they have inherited,鈥� he said.

Through a lifetime of leadership, philanthropy and service, Bankes now leaves a better inheritance for those who follow.

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Announced July 21, SSHRC will provide funding through three of its programs: Insight Development Grants: February 2026 Competition; Partnership Development Grants: 2025 Competition; and Connection Grants: May 2026 Competition.

More than $2.5 million will support 33 91亚色-led Insight Development Grants for early-stage projects and help researchers pursue innovative questions, methods and approaches that can lay the groundwork for larger research programs.

Close to $1 million will support five 91亚色-led Partnership Development Grants, helping researchers build new collaborations with universities, community organizations, governments and industry partners. Knowledge mobilization will also be supported through Connection Grants, with close to $50,000 for a 91亚色 initiative.

The projects cover a wide range of topics, including Indigenous health and decolonization, democratic discourse, climate adaptation, financial vulnerability, labour and social justice, migration, cultural identity and AI.

"These investments in research are investments in our collective future," says Amir Asif, vice-president research and innovation. "These projects empower researchers to test new ideas, forge meaningful partnerships and generate knowledge that addresses complex societal challenges. Together, they are laying the foundations for discoveries and innovations that will create meaningful benefits for communities in Canada and around the world."

The projects reflect 91亚色鈥檚 commitment to community-engaged research, interdisciplinary collaboration and generating knowledge that addresses real-world challenges.

Insight Development Grants

The 33 Insight Development Grants demonstrate the diversity and breadth of emerging research underway across the University. Among the funded projects are those that examine topics such as Indigenous knowledge systems, public health, democratic discourse, AI and financial vulnerability:

• Dayna Scott () 鈥� Visualizing Cumulative Effects: Anishinaabe Counter-Mapping on the Extractive Frontier
• Emily Kuang () 鈥� Multicultural and Multilingual Family Bonding and Knowledge Sharing Across Generations: A Culturally Responsive Approach to Generative AI Application
• R茅mi Viv猫s (Glendon College) 鈥� Measuring Populist Discourse: Canada in Comparative Perspective
• Ashley Day () 鈥� Wiisokotaatiwin 鈥� gathering to re-imagine decolonial health education
• Peiya Cao (Faculty of Health) 鈥� Intergenerational Minority Stress and Child Well-Being in LGBTQ+ Families: A National Census-Linked Study in Canada
• Zissis Paraskevas Poulos (Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies) 鈥� Risk-Sensitive Learning and Tacit Coordination in Algorithmic Financial Markets

Other initiatives examine corporate accountability, Black Canadian history, labour law, climate resilience in public infrastructure, machine ethics, innovation and entrepreneurship, disability rights, migration, Indigenous knowledge systems and social inclusion. View the of recipients and their projects.

Partnership Development Grants

The six 91亚色-led Partnership Development Grants will support collaborations focused on financial vulnerability, youth in care, planetary health, workers鈥� education and Canadian computing heritage and include:

• Ida Ferrara 鈥� (LA&PS) Addressing Financial Vulnerability Through Inclusive Insurance
• Jennine Rawana (Faculty of Health) 鈥� Exploring the Needs of Youth Transitioning Out of the Care of Child Welfare Agencies
• Kate Tilleczek (Faculty of Education) 鈥� Planetary Health Partnership: Mapuche-Williche Youth-Led Research as Practices of K眉me Mogen
• Katherine Nastovski (LA&PS) 鈥� Re-Imagining Workers鈥� Education in the 21st Century
• Mark Hayward (LA&PS) 鈥� Preserving, Promoting and Researching Canadian Computing Heritage
• Sarah Rotz (Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change) 鈥� Confronting Financialization, Consolidation, and Settler-colonial Agri-food Land Governance in Canada

91亚色 researchers are also directly involved as co-applicants for six other Partnership Development Grants totaling $1.19 million. See the of projects and recipients.

鈥淭he awards underscore 91亚色's leadership in advancing research that connects disciplines, sectors and communities in pursuit of positive social change. By fostering collaborations across local, national and international networks, our researchers are generating knowledge and solutions that help build a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable future for all,鈥� says Asif.

Connection Grants

SSHRC鈥檚 Connection Grants competition, which funds short-term knowledge mobilization initiatives, will provide $49,974 to Richard Saunders (LA&PS) to examine the social and environmental dimensions of critical mineral extraction through knowledge-sharing and public engagement activities through his project Image as Voice: Perspectives on Lithium Extraction in Argentina and Zimbabwe. 

Two other projects that focus on aging and Asian Canadian studies include co-applicants from 91亚色. View the  of recipients. 

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Awarded through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council's (SSHRC) Insight Grants program, the funding supports medium- and long-term research initiatives over four to six years.

The projects, led by 91亚色 researchers across multiple Faculties and research units, address issues affecting communities in Canada and around the world with research topics that explore a range of issues with local, national and global significance.

"SSHRC Insight Grants enable researchers to pursue ambitious, long-term programs of inquiry that deepen understanding of complex social issues and generate knowledge with real-world relevance," says Amir Asif, vice-president research and innovation. "This year's funded projects demonstrate the remarkable breadth of 91亚色's research strengths, spanning health and well-being, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, Indigenous knowledge and cultural resurgence, education, labour markets, environmental and climate challenges, social inclusion, governance and public policy. Together these projects will generate new insights that help inform policy, practice and public dialogue in Canada and around the world."

Among the largest grants is a six-year, $463,646 project led by Stephanie Ben-Ishai () examining the financial and psychological effects of insolvency. Ann Marie Murnaghan (Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies) received $459,784 for a six-year project focused on cultural resurgence in Witsuwit'en territories, while Michael Kalu () received $456,501 for research examining the needs of Black older adults and developing Afrocentric-informed strategies.

Other significant awards include Andrea Emberly's (LA&PS) six-year study exploring community connection and musical arts among young people, funded at $435,379, and Shital Desai's () six-year, $417,127 project investigating approaches to strengthening communication and relationships in dementia care. Enakshi Dua (LA&PS) received $411,890 for a five-year project that explores the changing landscape of diversity, equity, inclusion and decolonization initiatives.

Several funded projects examine the social implications of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. Christo El Morr (Faculty of Health) received $396,562 for Mapping Workplace Racism in Canada: A Community-Driven AI Platform Grounded in Ontario, while sava saheli singh's (Faculty of Education) Machine Learning or Learning Machines: Critical AI Futures in Education received $111,678. Isha Sharma (LA&PS) received $123,659 to study the adoption and impact of agentic AI in financial crime compliance.

Health and social well-being are also prominent themes. Mary Fox (Faculty of Health) received $400,708 to develop an e-learning intervention aimed at disrupting ageism in social work education, while Nazilla Khanlou's (Faculty of Health) $390,389 project will examine supports for racialized families of children and youth with developmental disabilities. Kerry Scott (Faculty of Health) received $286,282 to investigate public trust and engagement with Ontario's health system.

Other projects, listed below, explore immigrant inequality, labour market barriers, disability and education policy, climate and energy transitions, Indigenous resurgence, entrepreneurship in the age of AI, anti-human trafficking and cultural heritage, and more, reflecting the breadth of 91亚色's research strengths.

Russ Patrick P. Alcedo, AMPD
Project: From Field to Stage: Choreographing for Theatre Philippine Folk Dance Practices through Ethnographic Research
Funding: $163,951

Lalaie Ameeriar, LA&PS
Project: We Inherit Each Other: Racialized Care Work and Reproductive Labour during and after COVID-19
Funding: $109,580

Ilya Archakov, LA&PS
Project: Measuring and Modeling Economic Correlations: Robust, Valid, and Large-Scale
Funding: $59,770

Godfred O. Boateng, Faculty of Health
Project: A Cross-Cultural Validation of Housing Insecurity Scale in Slums and Informal Settlements
Funding: $362,992

Rebecca Caines, AMPD
Project: Interfacing, Playtesting, Resetting: Reframing Technology Use Through Improvised Creative Technologies
Funding: $118,750

Barnali Choudhury, Osgoode Hall Law School
Project: Improving Modern Slavery Reporting in Canada: Legal Ripple Effects and Insights from Australia
Funding: $185,789

Elicia A. Clements, LA&PS
Project: Interventions in Early Twentieth-Century Opera: Gender, Race, Coloniality
Funding: $104,553

Matias Cortes, LA&PS
Project: The Role of Firms in Lifecycle Earnings Growth and Inequality
Funding: $109,052

David B. Goldstein, LA&PS
Project: Imagined Tables: Eating and the Articulation of Community
Funding: $111,875

Luann M. Good Gingrich, LA&PS
Project: Places and Spaces of Social Inclusion: A Contextual Analysis of Immigrant Inequality in Canada
Funding: $254,831

Philip A. Harland, LA&PS
Project: Criminalization of Minorities and Subject Peoples in Antiquity
Funding: $116,231

Robert J. Heynen, LA&PS
Project: Mediations of Anti-Human Trafficking: Technology, Securitization, and Policing at the Border
Funding: $218,627

Alice J. Hovorka,
Project: Animal Performativity: 鈥楤ecoming Primate鈥� in Human Society
Funding: $207,650

Hong Kal, AMPD
Project: Grievable Images: Visualizing State Violence and Resistance in South Korea Since 1948
Funding: $115,556

Magdalena J. Kazubowski-Houston, AMPD
Project: Performing Eco-Grief: Youth, Theatre, and Climate Mourning in Canada and Poland
Funding: $217,657

脡tienne Lal茅, LA&PS
Project: Foot Traffic, Consumer Spending, and Employment: New Insights from Cell Phone Data
Funding: $105,346

Margaret E. MacDonald, LA&PS
Project: Governing Reproduction in Senegal: Discourses and Images in the Postcolonial Archive
Funding: $105,490

Raymond A. Mar, Faculty of Health
Project: Learning Social Content from Stories
Funding: $124,843

Yuka Nakamura, Faculty of Health
Project: Community and Connection: Understanding the Growth and Social Impact of Ethnic, Cultural and Religious Sport Organizations in Toronto
Funding: $172,229

Lilian K. Ng,
Project: Giving Where They Operate: Biodiversity Governance and Corporate Philanthropy
Funding: $161,035

Ken Ogata, LA&PS
Project: Legitimacy and the Hierarchy of Artefacts Along the Entrepreneurial Journey: Evidence from the Introduction of Third-Party Certification Agencies into the Collectible Comic Books Industry
Funding: $101,646

Nathanael Ojong, LA&PS
Project: Entrepreneurship and the Sustainable Development Goals in the Age of AI
Funding: $286,219

Salewa Olawoye, LA&PS
Project: Towards An Inclusive Monetary Theory: African Entrepreneurship and Money Creation
Funding: $124,927

Oyemolade Osibodu, Faculty of Education
Project: Navigating Blackness: Sub-Saharan African Immigrant Parents' and Youth's Perspectives on the Racialization of Mathematics Education
Funding: $106,237

Gillian Parekh, Faculty of Education
Project: Constructing Disability in Education: Disability Identity, Policy Enactment and Academic Outcomes
Funding: $342,757

Jennifer R. Pybus, LA&PS
Project: Extracting Intimacy: FemTech, Surveillance, and Sovereignty
Funding: $98,892

Amanda Ricci, Glendon College
Project: At the Heart of the City: A History of the Garment Industry in Montreal, 1930鈥�1990
Funding: $81,855

Perry Sadorsky, Schulich School of Business
Project: Energy Transition Systemic Risk in Times of Uncertainty
Funding: $109,082

Akolisa Ufodike, LA&PS
Project: Gatekeeping Growth: Immigration, Credentialing, and the Hidden Drivers of Canada's Productivity Decline
Funding: $375,300

Daniel J. Wigfield, LA&PS
Project: Systemic Integrity: Institutional Logics and Misconduct in Federated Sport Governance
Funding: $242,431

91亚色 researchers are also directly involved as co-applicants for 15 other projects awarded a total of $3.85 million. See the of projects and recipients.

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The Partnership Grants funding, announced by SSHRC on July 21, supports large-scale partnerships that bring together universities, governments, community organizations and international collaborators to address complex social, environmental and policy challenges.

The funded projects focus on issues ranging from refugee rights and climate resilience to healthy aging, youth well-being, homelessness and human-animal connections.

Leading 91亚色's participation is Sean Rehaag (), whose seven-year Algorithmic Justice for Refugees Research Network project received $2,499,995 to investigate the growing use of algorithms, AI and other digital technologies in refugee and migration systems.

The international partnership includes researchers and organizations across Canada, Europe, Africa, Australia and the Middle East and will examine how emerging technologies affect refugee rights, access to protection and government accountability.

91亚色 Interim President and Vice-Chancellor Lisa Philipps says the project shows the impact that long-term investment in interdisciplinary reseach can have. "The project grew from years of interdisciplinary research and the strong foundation provided by the Centre for Refugee Studies, one of 91亚色's Organized Research Units to make it possible. 91亚色 is proud to stand with Professor Rehaag and his partners on this meaningful project."

91亚色 researchers are also co-applicants on five additional partnership grants that received funding ranging from $2.4 million to $2.5 million each. Together, the projects position 91亚色 researchers within some of Canada's largest and most ambitious social sciences and humanities research collaborations.

"91亚色 researchers continue to demonstrate leadership in building research partnerships that聽bring together聽scholars,聽governments and organizations to address聽complex challenges facing communities in Canada and around the world,鈥� says聽Amir Asif, 91亚色鈥檚 vice-president research and innovation. 鈥淭hese聽projects聽reflect 91亚色's聽strengths in interdisciplinary, community-engaged research and聽demonstrate how collaboration can聽generate聽knowledge that informs policy, supports聽decision-making聽and聽contributes to聽positive social change."聽

The funded partnerships involving 91亚色 researchers include:

鈥� Aging in the Margins: Building Inclusivity and Goodwill (AIM BIG), funded at $2,500,000 over seven years, with Natalia Balyasnikova (Faculty of Education) serving as a co-applicant. The project will examine the experiences of aging among marginalized populations in Canada and internationally.

鈥� (Re)Thinking Sustainability: Research Network for Global Environmental Humanities, funded at $2,499,814 over seven years, with Andil Gosine () and Jean-Thomas Tremblay (Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies) as co-applicants. The network will explore environmental challenges through humanities-based research and public engagement.

鈥� Connecting to Place Through Disaster Response: New Opportunities for Community-Campus Partnerships, funded at $2,417,600 over five years, with Ali Asgary and Eva Bogdan (LA&PS) serving as co-applicants. The project focuses on strengthening community resilience and disaster response through collaborative research.

鈥� Establishing a Network for Human-Animal Connections Research and Collaboration, funded at $2,500,000 over five years, with Cheryl van Daalen-Smith (Faculty of Graduate Studies) serving as a co-applicant and Leesa Fawcett (EUC) as a collaborator. The partnership will examine the role of human-animal relationships in health and well-being across diverse settings.

鈥� Pathways from Child Welfare and Community Services to Stable or Precarious Living Conditions, funded at $2,500,000 over seven years, with Stephen Gaetz (Faculty of Education) serving as a co-applicant. The project will investigate the experiences of young people transitioning from child welfare systems and community services and identify pathways to long-term stability and well-being.

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In her current role, Jacko leads work focused on Indigenous justice and relationship-building with communities across Ontario. She previously served as Ontario鈥檚 children鈥檚 lawyer 鈥� the lead official responsible for representing the interests of children 鈥� becoming the first Indigenous woman to hold the role after a career in the Office of the Children鈥檚 Lawyer, where she helped shape programs and approaches serving children in Indigenous communities. She has also been a longtime advocate for Indigenous youth through her efforts with the Little Native Hockey League.

鈥淗er ability to lead with empathy and conviction is deeply rooted in her lived experience and her commitment to traditional teachings,鈥� said Joseph Silva, adjunct professor in the School of Public Policy and Administration, as he introduced her. 鈥淪he has carried those teachings with her through an outstanding legal career and inspiring record of community leadership and public service.鈥�

Jacko began her address by greeting graduands in Anishinaabemowin, introducing herself by her spirit name, Coming Down Woman, and noting she is a member of the Bear Clan. She then reflected on growing up in Wiikwemkoong First Nation.

She spoke about her parents, describing her father as a hunter, fisherman, trapper and farmer, as well as chief of police in their reserve, and her mother as a nurse at a local nursing home.

Growing up, she said, her family didn鈥檛 have much. 鈥淏ut what we did have, what my parents gave us, was something far greater,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey instilled in us a deep sense of responsibility to work hard, to care for one another and to be of service to community.鈥�

That sense of duty took root early, she said, although she could not yet fully articulate it. She described seeing a future shaped by a desire to serve her community, while remaining uncertain where that path might lead.

She began her academic journey by pursuing an undergraduate degree in social work with no expectation of continuing her studies. But a possibility to attend law school emerged and it set her on a path that would see her go on to earn a master of laws at 91亚色.

Jacko described how her eight-year academic journey was shaped by significant challenges and sacrifice. As a single parent with a young child, she moved more than 500 kilometres to Toronto without knowing anyone. Later, she was pregnant with her first daughter while working full-time as a lawyer and pursuing her master's degree. Two years later, she graduated while pregnant with her second.

During that time, she said, she struggled with feelings of guilt, having spent the first eight years of her child鈥檚 life in school and questioning whether she had given him a strong foundation. She also described feeling conflicted when she was called to the Ontario Bar and had to explain her path to her parents.

鈥淚magine trying to explain that you spent nearly a decade studying laws, policies and systems, many of which have harmed our people and continue to do so,鈥� she said. 鈥淣ow imagine having no words to explain why you're doing what you're doing, but you know deep in your core, in your soul, that this is exactly what you're supposed to do.鈥�

Her sense of purpose became more clear after joining the Office of the Children鈥檚 Lawyer, she said, where her efforts focused on advocating for children and responding to the needs of Indigenous communities. Over time, that work led her to take on increasingly senior roles within the justice system, including becoming the first Anishinaabe woman appointed Ontario鈥檚 children鈥檚 lawyer, before moving into her current role leading efforts focused on Indigenous justice and strengthening relationships with groups across the province.

She returned to the subject of her parents, who have passed away, telling graduands she wishes she could speak with them again 鈥� this time able to explain the purpose that drove her studies and career. 鈥淚 would tell them why I studied so hard, why I carried this quiet, relentless need inside me to learn, to understand, to make sense of it all,鈥� she said.

鈥淚 would want them to know that I was trying to understand the very systems that shaped their lives and ours, so that in some way I could help make things better.鈥�

She added that, above all, she would want them to understand how deeply her journey was rooted in what they had given her.

鈥淚 would want them to know that everything I was searching for, everything I was trying to understand was rooted in them, in the life they gave me, in the sacrifices they made, in the strength they carried so that we could survive, rooted in the lessons they taught us about hard work, about service, about dignity.鈥�

Jacko encouraged graduands to lead with courage 鈥� something she did by drawing on lessons learned from her parents.

鈥淲hen I think about courage, I don't see it as a single act,鈥� she said. She defined courage as grounded in duty 鈥� standing beside those whose voices are often unheard and choosing not to look away from injustice. It involves listening deeply, she said, and making space for others and the knowledge carried across generations.

She added that courage is also rooted in hope.

鈥淚t is continuing to advocate, to show up and believe that change is possible, even when it takes time,鈥� she said.

Jacko鈥檚 parting words for graduands drew on guidance she has received from elders. 鈥淥ur elders encourage us to think until we feel. They remind us to consider the impact of our decisions and any change in direction on the next seven generations,鈥� she said.

鈥淟et us walk with intention and be mindful of the path we leave behind, because if we move too quickly, we risk creating dust, and those who come after us 鈥� those future generations 鈥� may lose their way. Let us walk with purpose, and let us strive in all that we do to make our ancestors proud.鈥�

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The recognition are among 91亚色鈥檚 highest academic honours, recognizing achievement that strengthens teaching and advances research across the institution.

This year鈥檚 recipients represent a wide range of disciplines and approaches, demonstrating excellence through innovative pedagogy, mentorship, research impact and a dedication to inclusive, engaged learning.

Distinguished Research Professorship

This title is awarded to a faculty member whose research has made a significant and lasting impact at 91亚色 and beyond. It recognizes a sustained record of scholarly distinction and leadership that has shaped fields of study and strengthened the University鈥檚 academic reputation.

This year鈥檚 recipient is Professor Poonam Puri of , who holds the 91亚色 Research Chair in Corporate Governance, Investor Protection and Financial Markets.

Puri is an internationally recognized scholar of corporate law and governance, securities regulation and investor protection whose research has shaped law, policy and practice in Canada and across the world. Over three decades at 91亚色, she has produced more than 100 publications, advancing understanding of corporate accountability, financial markets and the role of law in society.

Puri is also the co-founder and director of the Osgoode Investor Protection Clinic, which provides free legal assistance to people who have suffered investment losses and cannot afford a lawyer. This model has secured millions in external funding, expanded access to justice and trained more than 100 students, while generating research that informs policy in real time.

Puri also founded and co-leads the Business Law LLM at Osgoode Professional Development, bringing academic, regulatory and practical expertise into a professional learning environment.

Beyond academia, Puri's expertise has been sought out by regulators, governments and international organizations, and continues to influence global conversations on corporate governance, investor protection and business responsibilities.

At 91亚色, Puri has made a significant institutional impact, having served as Osgoode鈥檚 associate dean and associate dean of research, graduate studies and institutional relations. She has also chaired Osgoode鈥檚 Faculty Council several times and served as Chair of 91亚色鈥檚 Senate.

鈥淚 am touched and honoured to be recognized as a Distinguished Research Professor,鈥� says Puri. 鈥淢y home faculty, Osgoode Hall Law School, and 91亚色 have been tremendous environments for pursuing meaningful work for close to 30 years.鈥�

President's University-Wide Teaching Awards

These awards, selected by the 91亚色 Senate, recognize faculty and teaching assistants who have made significant contributions to student learning through excellence in teaching. They span four categories: full-time senior faculty with 10 or more years of teaching experience; full-time faculty with less than 10 years of experience; contract and adjunct faculty; and teaching assistants.

Each recipient was honoured during a Spring Convocation ceremony and will have their name engraved on plaques in Vari Hall on the Keele Campus.

Full-time tenured faculty with 10 or more years full-time teaching experience

Nicole Nivillac, associate professor in the Faculty of Science, was honoured for her commitment to student learning, inclusivity and reflective teaching practice.

Nivillac, who primarily teaches first- and third-year courses in cell, molecular and microbiology, was praised by nominators for her evidence-based pedagogy, including interactive lectures, peer discussion and real-time feedback, alongside thoughtful curriculum design and mentorship that makes biology accessible, engaging and relevant.

Students, in particular, highlighted her ability to treat every question as a learning opportunity, working through areas of confusion to make complex ideas clear from multiple angles.

Professor Paula Wilson, who nominated Nivillac, stressed that this is all the more impressive given the scale of her classes. 鈥淪he has an ability to talk to 500 students as if she is talking to each person individually,鈥� says Wilson.

Nivillac was also singled out for her mentorship of teaching assistants. As undergraduate program director in the Department of Biology, she co-designed and co-hosts the department鈥檚 annual TA training to promote instructional consistency, equitable grading and student success across courses.

For Nivillac, the award represents a recognition of the teaching values she brings to the classroom. 鈥淚t reinforces my belief in the transformative potential of teaching and the privilege of supporting students in their intellectual and personal growth,鈥� she says.

Full-time faculty (tenured/tenure stream/CLA) with less than 10 years teaching experience

Andrew Skelton, associate professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics in the Faculty of Science, was recognized for his ability to engage students and create a welcoming learning environment.

Student nominators, in particular, praised Skelton for fostering a classroom environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, working through confusion and taking initiative in their learning.

They also described a teaching approach that emphasizes collaboration and discussion, with small-group work and multiple ways of approaching problems to enable different styles of learning.

He was further cited for teaching initiatives that support first-year students in their transition to university, including the integration of learning skills modules that address study habits, motivation and academic confidence.

He is particularly dedicated to mentoring undergraduate students, having supervised 72 in research and leadership roles.

Reflecting on the award, Skelton expresses gratitude for 91亚色, as well as the space and encouragement he has received to explore his teaching practice and grow as an educator.

He adds: 鈥淚鈥檓 thankful for the students I have had the pleasure of working with. I have taught, supervised, mentored and coached many students in and out of the classroom during my time at 91亚色, and I am consistently inspired and encouraged by their capacity.鈥�

Contract and adjunct faculty

Wahid Khan, a course director in the Faculty of Education and a doctoral student in Kinesiology and Health Sciences, was selected for his commitment to creating inclusive learning environments where every voice, identity and experience is valued.

Supporters of his nomination highlighted his ability to foster deep learning by challenging deficit-based narratives and empowering teacher candidates to develop confidence, critical thinking and a strong sense of ethical responsibility as they prepare to enter the profession.

Across courses in mathematics education, health and physical education and professional studies, he connects theory to classroom practice through experiential learning, reflective inquiry and community-based activities, including practicum advising and real classroom scenario analysis, helping students see teaching as both a pedagogical and social responsibility.

For Khan, the honour reflects his focus on teaching as a relational practice. 鈥淭his award affirms my belief that teaching is fundamentally relational. Some of the most meaningful moments in my career have come from students who have shared their stories, identities and experiences with courage and honesty,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 am grateful to work alongside remarkable students and colleagues whose curiosity, resilience and commitment to social justice inspire me every day.鈥�

Teaching assistants

Prilly Bicknell鈥慔ersco, a PhD candidate in the Faculty of Education, was selected for recognition for her work as a teaching assistant supporting courses in Black studies focused on the experiences of Black communities.

Students and colleagues noted her inclusive, discussion-based approach to teaching. In tutorials, she creates spaces where students feel comfortable engaging in complex discussions, often guiding conversations in large classes of 150 to 200 students, about power, race and identity, while prioritizing diverse learning needs and encouraging active participation.

She was also commended for contributing to course development, including advocating for the integration of disability-focused content and delivering guest lectures that connect theoretical frameworks to real-world issues.

She is especially valued for presenting complex material in ways that are accessible without sacrificing intellectual rigour.

鈥淭o be recognized for creating classrooms where students feel seen, supported and empowered is an honour I will carry with me always,鈥� she says.

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The recently announced funding supports journals that span Canadian Jewish studies, law, feminist scholarship, cross-cultural image studies and refugee research.

The SSHRC program supports Canadian scholarly dissemination by helping journals explore innovative activities and defray costs associated with publishing, digital distribution and open access. Each of the five 91亚色-affiliated journals will receive funding over a three-year period.

"At a time when open access is reshaping how knowledge serves the public good, I am proud to see 91亚色 journals recognized in the September 2025 SSHRC Aid to Scholarly Journals competition," says Amir Asif, vice-president research and innovation. "By expanding immediate open access, this support enhances the visibility, reach and public engagement of high-quality Canadian scholarship, connecting research more directly with scholars, policymakers and communities worldwide."

The following 91亚色-affiliated journals were awarded funding:

David S. Koffman, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
Journal: / 脡tudes juives canadienne
Funding: $119,686 over three years
An interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed journal devoted to original scholarship on the Canadian Jewish experience.

Jennifer Nadler,
Journal:
Funding: $111,000 over three years
A scholarly law journal that publishes interdisciplinary research on law, legal institutions and legal developments of social, political and economic importance.

Andrea O'Reilly, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
Journal:
Funding: $150,000 over three years
A feminist scholarly journal focused on mothering and motherhood, including scholarship that considers class, race, sexuality, age, ethnicity, ability, nationality and lived experience.

Markus Reisenleitner, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
Journal: / Imaginations : Revue d'茅tudesinterculturelles de l'image
Funding: $156,000 over three years
A multilingual, open-access, peer-reviewed journal focused on international visual culture, image studies, artistic practice and interdisciplinary scholarship.

Dagmar Soennecken, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
Journal: / Refuge : revue canadienne sur les r茅fugi茅s
Funding: $156,000 over three years
A bilingual, open-access, peer-reviewed journal publishing interdisciplinary research and analysis on forced migration from academic, policy and practitioner perspectives.

These awards are among the latest in a series of recent SSHRC funding successes for 91亚色, which has also received significant support through the council's Partnership Development Grants, Insight Development Grants and Insight Grants programs in recent cycles.

With files from Mzwandile Poncana

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The program highlights contributions that position 91亚色 as an instutition for research excellence and transformative innovations. 

Research contributed by more than 60 faculty members reflect the breadth of the University's research strengths, spanning sustainability, law, AI, chemistry and the social sciences.

"I am exceedingly proud to be part of an institution that contains the kind of excellence we are celebrating," says Lisa Philipps, interim president and vice-chancellor. "91亚色 is an institution that offers educational experiences to our students that are informed by this deep research, scholarly and creative excellence; and a place where we also make it part of our mission to reach outside the metaphorical walls of the University to share and collaborate with communities, industry, policy-makers, the media and the wider public."

The recipients demonstrate the purposeful research that is fundamental to real-world change, says Amir Asif, vice-president, research and innovation

The annual awards program serves as an opportunity to recognize the excellence, creativity and ingenuity of 91亚色' research community.

Awards

President鈥檚 Emerging Research Leadership Award (PERLA)
Christopher Caputo, associate professor in the Faculty of Science, received this award for his contributions to sustainable chemistry and materials science. His research advances the use of Earth鈥慳bundant elements as alternatives to rare and precious metals, addressing key environmental and sustainability challenges while influencing catalytic and materials science.

A Tier II Canada Research Chair and recipient of the John Charles Polanyi Prize in Chemistry, Caputo has secured more than $4 million in research funding. His work has resulted in 21 patents and strong industry engagement, demonstrating the translation of discovery into application.  

The President鈥檚 Emerging Research Leadership Award was also awarded to Emily Kidd White, associate professor at , for her pioneering scholarship at the intersection of law, emotion and constitutional theory. Her work applies the philosophy of emotion to legal analysis, examining the gap between formal legal reasoning and the lived realities of legal practice, particularly in international law. 

Her research has shaped scholarly conversations across disciplines and established her as a thinker of global influence, strengthening 91亚色鈥檚 research profile and academic mission. 

President鈥檚 Research Excellence Award
Presented to Jimmy Huang, professor in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, this award recognizes his contributions to information retrieval, data mining, AI and natural language processing. A Tier 1 91亚色 Research Chair and founding director of the Information Retrieval and Knowledge Management Research Lab, Huang has played a leading role in shaping the future of AI research, including some of the earliest systematic evaluations of large language models.

Huang has secured more than $7 million in external research funding and his work has influenced practice across industry and health care. His mentorship record includes supervising 16 postdoctoral fellows, 23 doctoral students and 32 master鈥檚 students, many of whom have gone on to academic careers.  

President鈥檚 Research Impact Award
Kerry Kawakami, professor in the , received this award聽for the influence and reach of her scholarship on unconscious bias. Her research has reshaped how systemic inequality is understood across academic,聽legal聽and institutional contexts, extending well beyond the聽post-secondary聽sector.

Kawakami鈥檚 work has informed legal practice and judicial decision鈥憁aking, including professional development programs for the Law Society of Ontario, expert testimony and keynote addresses. Her research has been cited in multiple U.S. Supreme Court decisions, demonstrating its impact on public understanding, policy and the pursuit of justice. 

The awards ceremony also highlighted faculty in other categories. 

Book Awards, Literary and Artistic Achievements
Six honourees received this award for their books, creative works and exhibitions that received national or international recognition from peers and leading cultural institutions. 

Major Grants
Recognition for researchers leading significant, externally funded research initiatives that advance knowledge and address complex societal challenges was awarded to seven honourees. 

Other Learned Societies, Fellowships and Awards
91亚色 awarded 12 honourees with this award for their leadership and contributions that have been recognized through election to learned societies, prestigious medals, professional fellowships and national or international honours. 

Outstanding Early Career Awards
Four honourees earned this award to recognize the notable achievements of 91亚色鈥檚 early-career researchers whose work shows strong promise and leadership within their fields. 

Significant Knowledge Mobilization &Impact Awards
For knowledge mobilization and impact outside of academia, 14 honourees were recognized with this award. 

91亚色 Research Chairs, Canada Research Chairs and Distinguished Research Professors
Fifteen honourees were celebrated for these appointments that support research excellence and scholarly leadership at the highest level in their respective fields. 

Royal Society of Canada & Governor General Awards
Two honourees earned this distinction, recognizing faculty who have made remarkable contributions in their research pursuits related to science, humanities and the arts. 

View the slide deck below to see a full list of recipients. 

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