Limits on research chair terms aim to promote diversity

Many universities across Canada are introducing term limits for their Canada Research Chairs to get new academics into the jobs as the prestigious programme struggles to meet diversity targets set by a court settlement, writes Chris Hannay for The Globe and Mail.

The Canada Research Chairs gives annual funding of CA$100,000 (US$80,000) or CA$200,000 (US$160,000) to successful academics for research projects. The programme is divided into Tier 1 chairs, who have seven-year terms that can be renewed indefinitely, and Tier 2 chairs, who have five-year terms that can be renewed once. Federal granting councils allocate the 1,600 chairs among universities, and the universities nominate academics to fill those positions.

The University of Ottawa, which has frequently fallen short of its diversity targets, says it is now limiting Tier 1 chairs to two terms as a way to get new academics into the programme. Other institutions that are beginning to voluntarily limit the terms of their chairs include York University, Queen's University and the University of Montreal.
Full report on The Globe and Mail site