On Apr. 17, Senate will vote to approve a new Strategic Research Plan (SRP) put forward by the University on Mar. 26. 

Not only does the report focus on outlining areas of strength for the University, but it also identifies priorities going forward. The SRP is part of a “broader integrated institutional planning that includes the Academic Plan, the Strategic Framework, as well as a variety of strategic documents that emerge from individual faculties and elsewhere,” according to the report. 

Its release follows a year-long consultation period with Queen’s community members and was reviewed by the Senate Advisory Research Committee. 

According to the report, it indicates that among Queen’s greatest strengths is the staff, students, faculty and contributors to “innovation and scholarship” at the University. 

The six primary research themes the report puts forward include: Securing Successful and Just Societies through Scholarship, Governance and Policy, Fundamental Principles of Nature: from Discovery to Application and Innovation, Mobilizing Creativity and Enabling Cultures, Health, Wellness and the Determinants of Human Health, Sustainability, Environment and Resources and Interdisciplinary research in materials, computational analytics and human-machine interactions.

The report also acknowledges the presence of Canada Research Chairs (CRC) at the University and hopes to increase diversity among chair holders through a Dec. 2017 Queen’s CRC Equity Action Plan. 

It further hopes to expand the presence of Queen’s on the national stage by continuing engagement with national organizations and research groups, inclusive of the Canadian Cancer Trials Group, Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health and the Canadian Biomarker Integrated Network in Depression.  

In acknowledging the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report and the Principles Implementation Committee on Racism, Diversity and Inclusion Report — both released in April of 2017 — the report “embraces and advances the recommendations” put forth. 

“Equity, diversity and inclusion are foundational in achieving excellence of ideas, scholarship and innovation within the university research environment,” it reads. “[A]nd in the creation of opportunities for students and with our international research peers.”