Dr. Kelly Vodden, AVP Research & Graduation Studies

Though the province of Newfoundland and Labrador experienced a year like no other in 2020, Grenfell's Office of Research and Graduate Studies continued to support our faculty and student researchers and artists, as is evidenced by this robust report. While adhering to health guidelines and university protocols, we were able to continue our scholarly work using a variety of adaptations and innovations. This ongoing excellence in research and creative activities included many engaged research relationships with governments, community and industry despite our new virtual world.

Our committed team at the Office of Research and Graduate Studies is excited to be able to share news about 2020 projects and accomplishments throughout our campus with you. This annual report presents examples of the excellent work of our researchers from all Grenfell campus schools, with special recognition that these outstanding efforts occurring throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and the unique challenges that our researchers and partners faced during this time. We are proud of the resiliency demonstrated by our dedicated researchers.

There is no doubt that the pandemic took a toll on research on campus. Yet over 100 funding applications were submitted in 2020 and our success rate remained strong, with more than $1.7M in funding awarded. While down from a five-year peak in 2018-19, this was a significant accomplishment given that just a few short years ago, without the challenges of a pandemic, research funding levels sat well below $1 million annually. In addition, Grenfell faculty and staff have also collaborated on a number of large applications that will lead to continued research growth in the future. In addition, 2020 saw the proportion of research funding coming from external versus internal sources continue to grow as well as the presence of a growing number of post-doctoral fellows working as part of our research team and contributing their invaluable skills, knowledge and expertise.

Researchers also persisted in finding ways to share their knowledge and research findings in numerous and creative ways. This included the release of five books by Grenfell authors in 2020, along with 84 journal articles, and a wide range of artistic works, from theatre productions and costume and lighting design to poetry and exhibitions.

There were also exciting advances in graduate studies, with the introduction of the campus’ first PhD programs, including a PhD in Transdisciplinary Sustainability and a PhD in Boreal Ecosystems and Agricultural Sciences, together with a new Master of Applied Geomatics. Master’s programs in applied literary studies (MA) and management (MM) are also under development.

The growing research and graduate studies portfolio at Grenfell is supported by Grenfell's Research Committee, the Graduate Studies Working Group and the Research Ethics Board – I thank faculty for their valuable work on these committees.  As well, the Office of Research and Graduate Studies team has worked tirelessly over the past year to support faculty and graduate students through the pandemic, and I thank them for their efforts.

I hope as you read the stories and information contained in this report, you will gain a sense of the strides we were able to make, even in the face of the pandemic. Whether virtually or in-person at a distance, we have continued to strengthen our record of research excellence.

Please do not hesitate to contact the office with your ideas or feedback. And congratulations and thanks to all of our faculty, staff and students who have enabled us to share their, and in turn our collective successes.

Dr. Kelly Vodden
AVP (Grenfell Campus) Research and Graduate Studies