Bridging Divides welcomes Martha Munezhi as Executive Director

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is leading an innovative new research program to explore the challenges and opportunities migrants face as they settle into their new communities. Migrant Integration in the Mid-21st Century: Bridging Divides will use analytics, artificial intelligence and data-driven research to build a modern understanding of migrant integration in urban centres, locally and around the world. Martha Munezhi will serve as Executive Director of the program, bringing research expertise in migration and sociology as well as extensive experience in leadership and research administration to the role.

Bridging Divides, in partnership with Concordia University, the University of Alberta and The University of British Columbia, was awarded $98.6 million from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) to identify research-informed solutions to mitigate challenges that immigrants face. The seven-year, interdisciplinary program will explore the areas of citizenship and civic participation, the future of work, healthcare, and the responsible and ethical use of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence.

As Executive Director, Munezhi will work closely with Scientific Director Anna Triandafyllidou and Bridging Divides partners to foster collaboration with the partner academic institutions, local, national and global organizations and across the TMU campus. She will help facilitate knowledge sharing with the broader community and take on the administrative management of the program.

“I am thrilled to be appointed as Executive Director, Bridging Divides, and I am excited to work with some of the greatest minds in their respective fields,” said Munezhi. “Canada has untapped potential and opportunities to better integrate immigrants. Our research will reveal areas of strength and make actionable recommendations to immigrant organizations, private sector organizations, public organizations and the government.”

Munezhi holds a PhD in sociology from the University of Utah, where she researched migration integration with a focus on population and health as a Fulbright Scholar. She has conducted research at numerous academic, government and not-for-profit organizations in Canada, the United States and Zimbabwe and believes in the importance of data-driven decisions and research that improves lives.

“I am an immigrant. I know the challenges that one faces when they come to a new country,” said Munezhi. “Living in different parts of the world has given me a unique international perspective.”

“I am thrilled to welcome Martha Munezhi to TMU and to the Bridging Divides research program,” said Steven N. Liss, TMU’s vice-president, research and innovation. “She is an accomplished researcher, administrator and champion of equitable and inclusive policies. Her extensive background in immigration, population and health research, as well as her professional and lived experience, are tremendous assets to TMU and the Bridging Divides program.”

Munezhi joins TMU from Queen’s University, where she served as Assistant Director, Research Promotion and Initiatives, Interim Associate Dean, Research at Smith School of Business and led the Black Community Representation and Inclusion Working Group implementing the Scarborough Charter.

Learn more about Migrant Integration in the Mid-21st Century: Bridging Divides.