Naomi Adelson reappointed associate vice-president, research and innovation

I am pleased to announce the reappointment of Naomi Adelson as associate vice-president, research and innovation (AVPRI) at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) for a five-year term from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2028.

The AVPRI role was introduced in 2018 reflecting the growth and increasing complexity of the SRC enterprise, and to particularly support the increase of the faculty complement and their respective SRC programs.

Naomi has been an instrumental leader in advancing scholarly, research and creative (SRC) activities at TMU and has made numerous and important contributions to the university community. During her first term, Naomi focused on enhancing processes, policies, and collegial governance and engagement with key stakeholders resulting in all SRC-related policies being reviewed and updated through a streamlined policy review cycle. Significantly, Naomi also spearheaded the creation of TMU’s first intellectual property policy. In addition, she played a key role in community engagement initiatives, including leading the collaborative development of the university strategic research plan, the SRC Health Strategy and the work of the Public Policy Task Force.

As the Office of the Vice-President Research and Innovation continues to strengthen support for TMU’s SRC activities and advance our strategic priorities, Naomi’s unwavering commitment to excellence, inclusivity, and engagement have been essential.  She has provided oversight on matters pertaining to the Responsible Conduct of Research, enhanced student pathways including the promotion of undergraduate student summer research opportunities, served as the university’s Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Leader and undertaken a review of internal funding programs. Other important initiatives that benefited from Naomi’s leadership and strategic guidance include support of the Dimensions Pilot Program, the creation of a new Indigenous SRC funding program, the SRC awards portfolio and planning for the School of Medicine.

Before joining TMU, Naomi served at York University as associate dean, research to the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, and prior to that, she was chair of the Department of Anthropology. As a medical anthropologist, Naomi’s theoretical interest is founded on the critical study of the body and health in relation to the naturalization and medicalization of social and historical inequities, and she has conducted research in collaboration with the Whapmagoostui Iiyiyu of Iiyiyu Istchee (traditional territory of the James Bay Cree) and in association with the Cree Board of Health since the late 1980s.

Naomi’s accomplishments as a researcher and seasoned academic administrator are testament to her knowledge and expertise in advancing SRC excellence and innovation in a respectful, inclusive and empowering manner. 

Please join with me in congratulating Naomi on her reappointment as associate vice-president for research and innovation at Toronto Metropolitan University.

I thank the members of the review committee, whose names are listed below, for their work and willingness to serve.

Steven N. Liss
Vice-President, Research and Innovation
Chair, Review Committee

Sanaa Ali-Mohammed
PhD Candidate, Policy Studies

Habiba Bougherara
Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science

Heather Driscoll
Chief Enterprise Risk Management Officer

John Enright
Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science

Nora Mulvaney
Library

Dana Osborne
Faculty of Arts

Osmud Rahman
School of Fashion

Pamela Sugiman
Dean, Faculty of Arts

Cheryl Thompson
The Creative School