Office of the VP Research & Innovation
The Office of the Vice-President Research and Innovation (VPRI) provides guidance for UVic’s research agenda at the institutional level. This includes setting strategic research priorities and developing initiatives to support research.
Our mission
We’re working to benefit society in a multitude of ways. Through the advancement and application of knowledge. Through creative and artistic expression. Through the creation of research-inspired educational programs. Our researchers and artists make a vital impact on people, places and the planet.
Our vision
Creating a better world through curiosity, engagement & innovation.
Our vision is guided by the following principles:
- Academic freedom: We value freedom of inquiry, study and engagement
- Ambition: We value the desire and determination to achieve success
- Collaboration: We value working collectively with diverse partners
- Courage: We value boldness and action in the face of uncertainty
- Excellence: We value outstanding skills, efforts and achievements
- Inclusion and respect: We value a culture of equitable access to opportunities and recognize strength in diversity
- Transparency: We value communication and clear and open processes
- Truth and reconciliation: We value confronting the truth of our history and walking the path of reconciliation together
Our commitment to fundamental research, inquiry and theoretical perspectives remains unflagging. We will continue to support and nurture excellence in these areas because we know that curiosity-driven research and creativity are the essential building blocks for tomorrow’s life-changing applications.
Lisa Kalynchuk, Vice-President Research and Innovation
Research leadership
Vice-President Research & Innovation
Promotes and facilitates research and creative activities at the University of Victoria.
Associate Vice-President Research
Facilitates and builds UVic’s activities in research services, internal grants, human research ethics, knowledge mobilization, and research impact. General oversight of SSHRC and related programs. Liaison to Faculties of Business, Education, Fine Arts, Graduate Studies, Humanities, Law, and Social Sciences.
Associate Vice-President Research
Facilitates and builds UVic's activities in shared platforms, postdoctoral fellows and grant-funded employees, research data and computing, animal research ethics, and Research Centres.
General oversight of NSERC, CIHR, and related programs.
Liaison to Faculties of Engineering & Computer Science, Health, Human & Social Development, and Science.
Special Advisor Climate
Facilitates major climate action strategies, including the development and implementation of climate-related research initiatives outlined in Aspiration 2030 and the Climate and Sustainability Action Plan (CSAP).
Special Advisor Health Research
Builds partnerships and integrates health research within the larger institutional effort to enhance health activities at UVic through the Faculty of Health and other collaborative health initiatives.
VPRI engagement requests
If you would like to request Vice-President Research & Innovation, Lisa Kalynchuk, to participate in an upcoming engagement or event please complete the VPRI engagement request form. Although we try to accommodate all requests, we cannot guarantee that the VPRI or designated AVP will be available. Requests should be submitted a minimum of 3 weeks prior to the engagement date.
Organization structure
Vice-President Research & Innovation - Lisa Kalynchuk
- Director, Strategy and Operations - Kaitlyn Roland
- Executive Director Strategic Research Initiatives - Joaquin Trapero
- Institutional Programs
- Director Research Analytics and Impact - Dane Berry
- Research intelligence
- Research profile
- Executive Director Innovation and Partnerships - Brent Sternig
- Associate Vice-Presidents Research
Research community news
Aspiration PDF update
May 8, 2025
As of April 1, 156 post-doctoral fellows work across all faculties at UVic. For the most part, they’re funded by NSERC, MITACS, CIHR, MSHRBC and SSHRC. Nine, however are UVic Aspiration...
Science Meets Parliament BC 2025
May 8, 2025
“As an organizer [of Science Meets Parliament BC] this year, I got a bigger, broader perspective on the benefits of the program,” says UVic post-doctoral fellow Andrea Mellor,...
Canada Research Chair aims to unravel prostate cancer’s defence
April 10, 2025
Fonseca and the Cytokines sounds like 1960s band, but what Nicolette Fonseca is orchestrating is a far cry from a pop song. Rather, the Canada Research Chair in Systems Approaches to Cancer Biology...
Not playing around: UVic engineers take on hostile drones with $4.2 million investment
April 10, 2025
Engineering professor Homayoun Najjaran has been working with flying robots — drones — since 2007. But he’d seen at least some of their potential more than 10 years...
SSHRC Connection Grants - spring announcements
April 10, 2025
Connection Grants from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council support events and outreach activities geared toward short-term, targeted knowledge...
Internal funding programs
Funding opportunities and support from the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation.
- Emergency equipment repair fund
- Internal research/creative project grant
- Matching funds for major projects
Competitive match-funding for faculty to recruit new post-doctoral fellows.
Internal funding to enable the growth and impact of established and emerging research clusters.
Committees & boards
The Research Advisory Committee provides advice to the VPRI regarding the research enterprise at UVic. The primary role of the committee is consultative and its membership broadly reflects the key facets of research at UVic.
The Human Research Ethics Board and Animal Care Committee are administered by the Office of Research Services administers this board and committee. They focus on regulatory activities and compliance.
Learn more about our committees and boards.
UVic also has two corporate entities related to research. Each has a board of directors with representation from government, industry and other institutions:
Research contacts
Office of the Vice-President Research and Innovation directory listing
250-472-5416
Office of Research Services directory listing
250-472-4362
Research Partnerships and Innovation directory listing
250-721-6500
Mailing address:
Vice-President Research University of Victoria
PO Box 1700 STN CSC
Victoria BC V8W 2Y2
Canada
Courier or in-person address:
Vice-President Research
University of Victoria
Room A110, Michael Williams Building
3800 Finnerty Rd. (Ring Road)
Victoria BC V8P 5C2