OCAD University has received $668,695 from the Research Support Fund, announced on October 22 by the Government of Canada as part of its commitment to supporting Canadian research excellence and a diverse research ecosystem.
In making the announcement, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, said the federal government is investing more than $690 million in science and research funding. This includes over $198 million to support 259 new and renewed Canada Research Chairs and more than $482 million to be distributed through the Research Support Fund.
“Canada’s research community continues to push boundaries and deliver discoveries that strengthen our economy and improve lives across the country,” said Minister Joly. “By investing in outstanding talent and the infrastructure that fuels their work, our government is helping ensure that Canadian innovation remains a force on the world stage – now and for generations to come.”
Earlier this year, the federal government announced that OCAD U was awarded the Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Diasporic Digital Humanities, Tier 2, held by Associate Professor Dr. Immony Mèn. The University received $500,000 over the next five years for this CRC.
Dr. Mèn’s research program is addressing the underrepresentation of Asian diasporic narratives within the digital humanities in Canada while exploring innovative media approaches to diasporic digital storytelling through cross-disciplinary connections between media arts, interaction design and social art practices.
Through the establishment of the Diasporic Media Research Centre for Asian Diaspora, Dr. Mèn’s research will advance our understanding of the diverse relations, aesthetics, discourse, and practices that exist within Canadian media art and arts education. This will contribute to more inclusive, representative cultural frameworks.
Working collectively with artists, scholars, researchers and community members who identify as Indigenous, Black or People of Colour, at the emerging intersection between diaspora studies and digital humanities, Dr. Mèn is developing new ethical models for research-creation and humanities-related research scholarship around diasporic narratives, cultural expression, network formation, and knowledge-sharing.
His work in diasporic digital humanities offers innovative models for mentorship, knowledge production, multi-generational dialogue, dissemination and pedagogical strategies to ethically position diasporic cultural production and peer network formation for racialized and Indigenous scholars within art, culture and education.
Dr. Mèn joins two CRCs at OCAD U: Dr. Kate Sellen, CRC in Design for Health, Tier 2 and Dr. Andrea Fatona, CRC in Canadian Black Diasporic Cultural Production, Tier 2, both with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.
About the Canada Research Chairs (CRC) Program
The CRC program is a tri-agency initiative of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research aimed at enhancing research excellence in Canada in the humanities, social sciences, health sciences, natural sciences and engineering. Tier 1 Chairs are recognized as world leaders in their fields and receive $1.4 million over seven years, while Tier 2 Chairs are emerging leaders who receive $500,000 over five years.
About the Research Support Fund
As part of the October 22 announcement, more than $482 million will be distributed through the Research Support Fund, administered by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council on behalf of the three federal research granting agencies, to ensure researchers and institutions across Canada are equipped to address new demands in the current research environment and to compete on a global scale.
