USask Research, Scholarly and Artistic Work gears up for 2025

To learn more about the year that was in research, scholarly and artistic work (RSAW) at USask, we sat down with Dr. Baljit Singh (PhD), the vice-president of research (VPR) at USask. In this Q&A, Singh shares his perspectives on USask’s milestones, the impact of recent initiatives, and his vision for the future.

Q: How has USask’s RSAW enterprise grown over the past few years?

A: I believe the ongoing growth and maturing of USask’s RSAW culture is driven by a unique culture of discovery and creativity that exists at USask. The cadre of new and established outstanding scholars is attracting high-quality talent to USask who are then able to use some of the most advanced RSAW infrastructure in the country to make discoveries that we all need. This infrastructure includes the Canadian Light Source (CLS), our Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), Canadian Hub for Applied Social Research (CHASR), the Sylvia Fedoruk Canadian Centre for Nuclear Innovation, Canadian Centre for Rural and Agricultural Health (CCRAH), our art galleries, and many other state-of-the-art centres and institutes known for making discoveries and sparking innovation. We are also focused in identifying international opportunities in select countries to share and enhance our RSAW enterprise.

It takes a while to firm up a culture of collaboration but once it happens, the system starts to fire on all cylinders. I believe we are starting to see that at USask. I see this happening not only among scholars but also among large portfolios like facilities, fundraising, resource allocation and teaching. These are all important pieces that drive the success of RSAW and indicated by our record number of research grants awarded in 2023/24, which was $417 million, and our record high research revenue, which was $323.9 million. 

The growth of RSAW across USask has also been reflected in our ranking efforts. We achieved our highest-ever performance in the QS World University Rankings (QS WUR) this past year and we also won the most improved university in Canada.

Q: What role does interdisciplinary research play at USask?

A: We are truly a university that drives innovation through interdisciplinarity. We are also becoming more intentional about fostering interdisciplinarity to achieve solutions to some of the most complex problems that humanity faces. This intentional approach started with the development of our Signature Areas of Research, which were renewed in 2022 with the addition of three new Signature Areas. The Signature Areas are interdisciplinary thinking platforms where scholars from across disciplines congregate to identify complex questions and develop plans to seek answers to those questions. We at the Office of the Vice President of Research (OVPR) are in the process of integrating Signature Areas into the way we plan our faculty complement and graduate student programming and also integrating them with the outstanding RSAW infrastructure on campus.

One of the most exciting developments this year that showcased the benefits of interdisciplinarity is the creation of the School for the Arts in the College of Arts and Science. This school, created through merger of three departments, could well become the leader in how to understand and enhance the process of creativity, not only in the arts but in natural and health sciences.

Q: What is USask doing to ensure research benefits the local community and beyond?

A: USask was established in 1907 to support education and research in the service of a new and growing province of Saskatchewan. Throughout our history, we have shown that we provide solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems. For example, the work done by USask’s agricultural scientists in collaboration with farmers and producers has placed Saskatchewan at the forefront of food production and innovation in sustainable agri-food systems. This work continues to this day with new developments in crop and soil science and precision agriculture.  

We continue to develop new ways to strength the potential of USask researchers to collaborate with local communities and mobilize their discoveries for the benefit of Saskatchewanians. Two years ago, we established our Opus incubator for this purpose. In its first two years, Opus supported 24 startups and engaged with over 130 stakeholders. This is remarkable growth and proof that USask researchers are doing the work that is truly needed in the community.

One more example of USask research reaching the community is our partnership with Station 20 West. Leaders from Station 20 West, Quint Developments Inc., CHEP Foods, and the Saskatoon Poverty Reduction Partnership have collaborated with USask’s Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy and others to host workshops for the local community focused on increasing knowledge and civic engagement in municipal, provincial and federal elections.   

Q: What are USask’s key research priorities for the next five to 10 years?

A: Under President Stoicheff’s leadership, USask is coursing through a period of stability in many aspects. With strong campus-wide leadership over the last decade, we are in good place to build a stronger strategy to achieve larger goals in RSAW, student experience and community engagement. Over the next decade, we would like to strengthen the role thought leaders play in shaping RSAW. I am grateful to our deans, directors and associate/vice-deans and department heads in the colleges and schools for the role they play in identifying and supporting our RSAW priorities. Within this connection exists a stellar opportunity to deepen and further enrich the experience of undergraduate students by building on OVPR initiatives like our First Year Research Experience (FYRE).

A continuing priority in the OVPR is to strengthen RSAW in Health Sciences. While we have seen growth, we also know there are more opportunities. For example, USask’s success rate in the last three CIHR competitions have been above the national average. I think to really grow the enterprise and to deliver innovation in health care to the people of Saskatchewan, we need more collaboration between the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and USask. We are in a unique position to leverage our existing entities like VIDO, CLS and the Fedoruk Centre, and increase connections with the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital. If we take the right steps, I’m confident USask will be able to elevate its health science research to even greater heights.

We will continue to advance our work in Indigenous Peoples Signature Area of Research. There is ongoing work to establish the Wanuskewin Institute in partnership with the Wanuskewin Heritage Park. We also recently signed an agreement with Métis Nation-Saskatchewan to establish a Métis Institute for Research and Governance.

Q: What advice would you give students and researchers who are just starting their journey at USask?  

In the last few decades, I have found there has been a shift in perception about the roles universities play in creating a more sustainable way of life. There are so many pressing issues in this world that RSAW can help support, answer and solve. When we talk about things like food security, water security, social security, these are all things our USask researchers are looking into.

With this in mind, I would tell any student who is interested in pursuing a career in academia or RSAW to embrace your curiosity. Always stay curious and open-minded. Ask questions, explore new ideas, and don't be afraid to venture into unfamiliar areas.

Q: What does the OVPR have up its sleeve for 2025?  

Like I’ve said before, I feel we’re firing on all cylinders. We’re committed to supporting the RSAW community on this campus and making sure we deliver on our promise to be what the world needs. 2025 is looking to be no exception! We will continue to find ways to bring USask innovation to the world through our growing Opus incubator. We are excited for new developments in our research ethics unit which will help streamline research requests. And we’re excited to get out and be in the community. We just had our TEDxUniversityofSaskatchewan event which showcased the amazing talents of our researchers, students and faculty. We’re also looking forward to hosting the seventh annual PAW congress in October. We are working with the USSU and GSA leadership to figure out additional RSAW opportunities here and abroad to enrich student experience.

Our best ideas come from our community and that is why OVPR initiated new events like our Campus Conversations, Research Chairs Forum and RSAW Intersections to bring our community together to hear their advice and to celebrate our achievements in RSAW.

There are many other things on the horizon and we’re most definitely excited for what 2025 holds!  

Let us be proud of being at USask, one of the most distinguished universities not only in Canada but globally, located right here in Saskatchewan.