Supporting Early-Career Researchers (Faculty)

VPRI portfolio co-leads
Shelley Gair
Executive Director, Office of the Vice President Research & Innovation

Trevor Davis
Executive Director, Research Operations

On this Page:

  1. Challenge
  2. Action
  3. Project Goals

Challenge

New faculty members at the university face a number of challenges in starting their SFU research careers. These challenges may include obtaining research grants, recruiting students and research personnel, modifying research space, and purchasing and installing research equipment at the same time they are teaching new (to them) courses and settling into a new community.
 

Action

Working closely with the vice-president, people, equity and inclusion, SFU Faculty Relations, deans, associate deans research (ADR) and early career researchers, we will examine mentorship programs, internal peer-review platforms for grants, educational materials and other resources for new faculty, and streamlining of processes for support including for research space and equipment.
 

Project Goals

To improve the faculty orientation and onboarding experience so that new research faculty can be better supported in their transition to SFU and have a clear understanding of the research resources and supports that are available.

  • November  2024
    Thirteen different Research Support Sessions were organized in Fall 2024 by VPRI office and the various research support units to provide information on the research priorities at SFU and the different supports available for faculty Several Research Support Sessions have been organized to provide information on the research priorities at SFU and the different supports available for faculty. These sessions will be offered through Fall 2024 and Spring 2025.

    Some of the sessions offered include Awards Readiness by Institutional Strategic Awards (ISA), International Collaborations by SFU International (SFUI), Library support, Research & Impact in Community by Knowledge Mobilization Hub and Community- Engaged Research Initiative (CERi), Research Grants & Contracts by Research Services (ORS). For details - Research Support Sessions for Early Career Researchers
  • August 2024
    A faculty orientation session was held in August 2024 by Faculty Relations for new faculty members joining SFU that also included a session on research supports at SFU.

To build on the current level of administrative support & resources (including online information) available to new and continuing faculty members in carrying out their research.

  • December 2024 
    The Research website is also being restructured and updated to improve. 
  • October 2024
    The Faculty Relations website has been updated to provide more detailed New Faculty Information about different units within SFU, and other materials to new faculty as an introduction to the administrative and s service departments at the university.


To explore options for a robust mentorship program for new faculty to navigate complexities as they transition into the university research careers.