York University conducts purposeful research that advances knowledge and creates positive change. York has experienced significant growth in areas that are having a transformative and positive impact on our communities, such as those identified by the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Our success can be credited to our interdisciplinary and integrated approach to research, innovation, and creation.

One of the most pressing challenges we continue to face is COVID-19. Our researchers have been instrumental in the fight against COVID-19. York is the top ranked university in Canada for publications on COVID-19 and mathematical modeling. Researchers, such as Jianhong Wu, have been working with national and international bodies, using mathematical modeling to project COVID-19 cases and their burden on health care.

One of the most meaningful lessons we’ve learned from the pandemic is that such global events have the potential to disrupt every aspect of our lives, and often pose the highest risks to our most vulnerable communities. Our best bet is a 360°approach to transdisciplinary research and innovation that enables multi-pronged solutions to complex challenges. It not only enhances our ability to respond to global hazards such as climate change-induced extreme weather events, but it enables us to coordinate and collaborate in ways that can mitigate or prevent significant events that could have a dire impact on lives and livelihood, including our most vulnerable populations.

York’s community of researchers are forging new areas that will help us to respond to global events, particularly through our leadership in Disaster Risk Management (DRM). Ali Asgary leads York’s Advanced Disaster, Emergency and Rapid Response Simulation (ADERSIM) which brings together researchers from health, engineering, science and social sciences to conduct disaster research training, and to provide support to government, non-governmental and private sector partners. In collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), York University is hosting Canada’s first Centre International de Formation des Acteurs Locaux (CIFAL), focused on training new generations of global leaders to support a more sustainable world – socially, economically and environmentally.

In addition to DRM, our researchers in the social sciences and humanities are undertaking groundbreaking research around some of the most relevant issues facing humanity today, including COVID-19, anti-Black racism and Indigenous research, topics that underpin the fabric of an inclusive, diverse, and just society. Christina Sharpe, a Canada Research Chair in Black Studies in the Humanities, is leading a vibrant research hub rich with innovation research practices and projects that will advance knowledge of Black Studies.

Our researchers are game-changers in global health. Ranking number one in citation impact for health and nursing publications, they are identifying and treating diseases and developing novel solutions for complex communities, including children, aging populations and Indigenous Peoples. Our researchers are thinking outside the proverbial box to ensure global health is inclusive. Sean Hillier is researching the social, cultural and justice aspects of how First Nations people access health care services. Our researchers are collaborating with hospitals and mental health organizations to diagnose and treat diseases and develop tailored health care. They are examining the efficiency of vaccines, (Catriona Buick); investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying ovarian cancer (Chun Peng); and identifying biomolecular patterns and signatures of disease for use in diagnosis and prognostics (Sergey Krylov). Over the longer-term, York aspires for a new kind of School of Medicine to focus on integrated interdisciplinary care, family medicine, community health and wellness through the lifespan. York’s community of gamechangers are committed to right the future.

York University is poised to experience exponential growth with the launch of the new Markham Campus, opening in 2023. Located in the heart of one of Canada’s fastest growing tech hubs, the Markham Campus will catalyze opportunities for interdisciplinary researchers and industries to collaborate and translate innovative research across four areas experiencing technological disruption: Fintech, AI & Society, Digital Cultures and Public Policy research.