The Canada Research Chair program helps the University of Victoria attract and retain the best global scholars. These chairholders are creating a better world through research and community engagement that will advance language education, how society implements laws, and energy production."
Lisa Kalynchuk, UVic vice-president research and innovation
Karim Bardeesy, parliamentary secretary to the minister of industry, announced the recipients as part of the Canada Research Chairs program, which is administered by the federal government's Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat.
Heidi Kiiwetinepinesiik Stark has been awarded a Tier I CRC in The Embodied Politics of Indigenous Law. Her research program aims to revitalize Anishinaabe legal traditions, emphasizing generative, community-based governance and relational accountability. The project integrates embodied practices such as storytelling, beadwork, quilting and land-based teachings for a more holistic understanding of Indigenous governance.
Bryson Robertson has been awarded a Tier I CRC in Marine Renewable Energy. His research will drive the innovation needed for communities and technology developers to integrate culturally relevant and economically tailored energy solutions, and to catalyze global energy system change in a shifting world dynamic.
chuutsqa Layla Rorick is named a Tier II CRC in Indigenous Language Revitalization, Reclamation and Maintenance. A Hesquiaht researcher and educator, she will support new language teachers through immersive land-based mentorship; co-develop digital tools to help speakers create tailored language resources; and mobilize ancestral knowledge through First Nation-governed digital archives.
Aloysius Kahindi's Tier II CRC in International Sustainable Development, Inequality and Social Innovation has been renewed for a second five-year term. He will continue to address the social and economic impacts in Africa of multinational enterprises, multilateral organizations such as NGOs as well as micro-foundations and grassroots digital entrepreneurship.
These research projects advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 4 (quality education); 7 (affordable and clean energy); 13 (climate action); 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions); and 17 (partnerships for the goals).
Learn more about the three new Canada Research Chairs:
The embodied politics of Indigenous Law
Clean energy future: a new era of systems thinking
Reclaiming Hesquiaht, word by word
Read more about the Canada Research Chair program and the Government of Canada news release.
