Research Chairs & Awards

Canada Research Chairs

Canada Research Chairs are prestigious national appointments that recognize scholars whose work is shaping the future of research in Canada and beyond.

These faculty members lead groundbreaking studies in areas such as Indigenous well-being, public banking, mental health, and applied econometrics – advancing knowledge and policy through excellence and innovation.

Irene Botosaru headshot

Irene Botosaru

Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Applied Econometrics | Associate Professor, Department of Economics

(905) 525-9140 x23818 botosari@mcmaster.ca
Chelsea Gabel headshot

Chelsea Gabel

Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Indigenous Well-Being, Community Engagement, and Innovation | Associate Professor, Departments of Health, Aging & Society and Indigenous Studies

(905) 525-9140 x23316 gabelc@mcmaster.ca
Thomas Marois headshot

Thomas Marois

Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Public Banking | Professor, Political Science | Director Public Banking Project

(905) 525-9140 x21912 maroist@mcmaster.ca
Vanessa Watts headshot

Vanessa Watts

Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Colonial Histories and Indigenous Futures | Associate Professor, Departments of Indigenous Studies and Sociology | Paul R. MacPherson Chair in Indigenous Studies

(905) 525-9140 x26119 wattsv@mcmaster.ca
Marisa Young headshot

Marisa Young

Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Mental Health and Work-Life Transitions | Associate Professor and Graduate Chair, Department of Sociology

(905) 525-9140 x23621 myoung@mcmaster.ca

Research Chairs & Professorships

Endowed and named chairs at McMaster’s Faculty of Social Sciences honour scholars whose research has made a lasting impact on society.

These appointments support leadership in fields like urban health equity, aging and mental health, global labour issues, and educational achievement – strengthening McMaster’s reputation as a hub for transformative research.

Michelle L. Dion headshot

Michelle L. Dion

Senator William McMaster Chair in Gender & Methodology | Professor, Department of Political Science

(905) 525-9140 x24029 dionm@mcmaster.ca
Jim Dunn headshot

Jim Dunn

PhD

Senator William McMaster Chair in Urban Health Equity | Professor, Health, Aging & Society | Associate Dean, Research - Office of the Associate Dean | Director, McMaster Institute for Health Equity | Director, Canadian Housing Evidence Collaborative

(905) 525-9140 x23832 jim.dunn@mcmaster.ca
Anthea Innes headshot

Anthea Innes

Gilbrea Chair in Aging & Mental Health | Professor, Department of Health, Aging & Society | Director of the Gilbrea Centre for Studies in Aging

(905) 525-9140 x26540 innesa2@mcmaster.ca
Ameil Joseph headshot

Ameil Joseph

Holder, Faculty of Social Sciences Professorship in Equity, Identity and Transformation | Associate Professor and Graduate Chair School of Social Work | Academic Director, Community Engaged Research and Relationships, Office of Community Engagement

(905) 525-9140 x23792 ameilj@mcmaster.ca
Jeffrey S. Racine headshot

Jeffrey S. Racine

Senator William McMaster Chair in Econometrics | Professor, Department of Economics | Professor, Graduate Program in Statistics, Department of Mathematics and Statistics | Fellow, Journal of Econometrics | Associate Editor, Econometric Reviews

(905) 525-9140 x23825 racinej@mcmaster.ca
Karen Robson headshot

Karen Robson

Ontario Research Chair in Educational Achievement and At-Risk Youth | Professor, Department of Sociology

(905) 525-9140 x23609 klrobson@mcmaster.ca
Stephanie Ross headshot

Stephanie Ross

LIUNA Enrico Henry Mancinelli Chair in Global Labour Issues | Associate Professor, School of Labour Studies | Associate Professor, Social Science, York University

stephross@mcmaster.ca
Arthur Sweetman headshot

Arthur Sweetman

Ontario Research Chair in Health Human Resources | Professor, Department of Economics | Co-Editor of Canadian Journal of Economics

(905) 525-9140 x23218 arthur.sweetman@mcmaster.ca
Liyakat Takim headshot

Liyakat Takim

Sharjah Chair in Global Islam | Professor, Department of Religious Studies

(905) 525-9140 x20521 ltakim@mcmaster.ca
Vanessa Watts headshot

Vanessa Watts

Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Colonial Histories and Indigenous Futures | Associate Professor, Departments of Indigenous Studies and Sociology | Paul R. MacPherson Chair in Indigenous Studies

(905) 525-9140 x26119 wattsv@mcmaster.ca

Faculty Research Awards

Faculty members are recognized for their outstanding contributions to scholarship, community engagement, and knowledge mobilization. These awards celebrate the diverse ways research creates impact – whether through mentorship, public discourse, or policy change.

Early Career Researcher Award Explore

Recognizes exceptional research contributions by early career faculty in the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Awardees demonstrate originality, scholarly excellence, and a commitment to mentoring students and engaging with broader audiences. This award celebrates emerging leaders whose work is already shaping their fields and communities.

Impact Award Learn More

Honours faculty whose research has led to significant and lasting change – whether through policy influence, public engagement, or shifts in societal thinking.

The award highlights knowledge mobilization and outreach efforts that extend academic research into real-world impact. It celebrates those who bridge research and practice, showing how scholarship can catalyze transformation across sectors and communities.

Scholar-In-Community Award View More

Supports collaborative research between faculty and community organizations, locally or internationally.

This award celebrates projects that are co-designed and co-governed, emphasizing mutual benefit, knowledge exchange, and the advancement of community-engaged scholarship.

Fulbright Scholars See More

Welcomes distinguished U.S. researchers to McMaster through the Fulbright Canada Visiting Research Chairs program.

These scholars contribute to key areas such as democracy, housing policy, and Indigenous scholarship, enriching the university’s research culture through international collaboration and public engagement.