Kingston - Six Queen’s University researchers have received $3.9 million under the Canada Research Chairs program. The funding will bring a new Chair in Surveillance Studies to Queen’s and renew the appointments of five current chairs.

The university’s newest appointment, sociologist David Murakami Wood, is an international expert on surveillance who comes to Queen’s from Newcastle University, UK.

“Canada values researchers and Queen’s has globally recognized expertise in surveillance,” says Professor Wood. “The majority of my work has been as an individual researcher and I’m very excited to be part of the world-renowned team here at Queen’s.”

Professor Wood studies how surveillance is practiced in different countries around the world. The Canada Research Chair funding, and his new position at Queen’s, will allow him to focus his research on the culture of surveillance in urban centres of the global south.

“Canada Research Chairs recognize the academic strength and leadership of their recipients, along with their creativity, international reputation, and commitment to excellence in both research and training,” says Kerry Rowe, V.P. Office – Research at Queen’s University. “I am extremely proud that so many of our faculty members, across a broad spectrum of disciplines, hold CRCs. To our newest chair holder, and to those recently renewed, I offer my congratulations on their outstanding success.”

Along with the new addition to Queen’s, five Queen’s Chairs have received funding renewals:

John McGarry (Political Studies) receives $1.4 million for his research that will ultimately contribute to the achievement of stable democracies in the challenging context of nationally divided societies.

Mark Daymond (Mechanical and Materials Engineering) receives $500,000 for research that helps understand how materials used in a range of engineering and manufacturing processes deform under stress and temperature fluctuations.

Ingrid Johnsrude (Psychology) receives $500,000 for her research to help in diagnosing and treating health problems such as hearing impairment and brain disease in the aging and elderly.

Patti Groome (Community Health and Epidemiology) receives $500,000 for her in-depth analysis of various medical practices throughout Ontario which can hinder or improve access to high quality care and disease outcome among cancer patients.

Stephen Waldman (Mechanical and Materials Engineering) receives $500,000 for his research in developing functional joint tissues as an alternative treatment option for patients suffering from degenerative arthritic disorders.

The Canada Research Chairs program was developed in 2000 to make Canada one of the world's top countries in research and development. In today’s announcement, $159.1 million has been awarded to 181 Canada Research Chairs in 45 Canadian universities. The funding includes $7.4 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) for research infrastructure.

For a complete list of all new Canada Research Chairs announced today, visit www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca/