Taylor named to second term as VP research

Dr. Martin Taylor is being re-appointed to the position of UVic’s vice president research. As such, he’ll oversee all aspects of research conducted at the university for another five years, effective July 1. He has held the position since July, 1998.

“Martin has made an outstanding contribution to the development of research activities at UVic,” says UVic President Dr. David Turpin. “I’m looking forward to working with him in the years ahead and celebrating many more outstanding accomplishments.”

Thanks in part to Taylor’s efforts, UVic is B.C.’s second-largest research university based on outside research grants and contract funds received — $33.4 million in 2001/02. As well, UVic has more than doubled its research funding over the past 10 years, from $15 million in 1990–91 to $33.4 million in 2001–02.

Taylor came to UVic from McMaster University, where he was professor and chair of the department of geography and director of the Institute of Environment and Health. He’s the university’s first and only vice president research because, until 1998, research administration at UVic had been the responsibility of an associate vice president research.

“It’s been a real privilege to serve the UVic research community over my first term,” says Taylor, “and I’m very grateful for the vote of confidence associated with my re-appointment.”

The decision to re-appoint Taylor was a unanimous one by the selection committee. In its final report, the committee said it was impressed with the way Taylor has shaped the portfolio, the positive feedback from both the internal and external communities, and the considerable research success UVic has enjoyed in recent years.

“Dr. Taylor’s administrative experience, insight and leadership have helped UVic revamp its research policy and its external research grants and contracts policy, and develop an intellectual property policy,” the committee wrote. “He’s been a strong external advocate for UVic both provincially and federally.”