Jonathan Newman re-appointed as vice-president: research

March 12, 2024

Wilfrid Laurier University has re-appointed Jonathan Newman as vice-president: research for a second five-year term. Newman’s second term will begin effective July 1, 2024.

In his first term as vice-president: research, Newman oversaw the development of the Laurier Strategic Research Plan (2020-2025), growth in externally-funded research partnerships, including with the Government of the Northwest Territories, and furthering of the university’s goals in community-engaged research and establishment of the Laurier Hub for Community Solutions.

His initiation of biennial research culture surveys (2020, 2022) has led to prioritization of researcher needs, such as improvements in research finance, development of a faculty mentorship program and a review of post-award support at Laurier. As part of its transition to a more research-intensive comprehensive university, external research funding at Laurier has increased 24.4 per cent since 2019.

Additionally, Newman has initiated several projects linked to Laurier’s innovation and entrepreneurship goals, including establishment of the Milton Innovation collective with community partners and a review of Laurier’s innovation and entrepreneurship activities.

“Jonathan’s efforts to nurture and grow Laurier’s research strengths and culture are hallmarks of his first term,” says Deborah MacLatchy, president and vice-chancellor. “I am confident that his ongoing leadership will further research excellence at Laurier across our campuses and disciplines.”

Newman holds a bachelor's degree in biology and a Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior from State University of New York at Albany. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology and of the Royal Entomological Society (London, UK). As a scholar, he has studied a wide range of interdisciplinary subjects, including interactions of herbivores with plant communities, endophytic fungi and the biological impacts of climate change, and environmental ethics.

“I am deeply honoured to be re-appointed as vice-president: research. Through research, innovation and entrepreneurship, Laurier researchers are addressing critical questions and tackling important challenges,” says Newman. “I am very excited to continue supporting this important work as Laurier transitions to a more research-intensive university."