2026-11-04

Message from VPRI, André McDonald, re. Research Week 2026

Please see the message below, forwarded on behalf of Dr. André McDonald, Vice-President (Research and Innovation).

Dear colleagues,

On a recent trip to The Rooms, close to downtown St. John’s, I found myself doing a double take … several times!

The sweeping views of the Narrows and the historic downtown are always magnificent.

Then there was the artwork: rugged landscapes, colourful abstracts, detailed faces and objects … there was so much that caught my eye.

I left with fresh perspectives and a reminder that inspiration is everywhere.

The art made me look twice. Turns out, great ideas can do the same.

I invite you to share your own ideas, while learning something new, during Memorial’s Research Week, which is taking place Nov. 23-27.

This is your chance to meet innovators, artists, collaborators and creative thinkers who encourage us to think differently and whose ideas help shape a better world.

There is so much inspiration happening at Memorial. Since officially starting in my new role, I have been fortunate enough to meet many of our students, postdoctoral researchers, faculty members, administrators, staff and community partners.

Like art, Memorial’s research and innovation activities – and those leading that work -- help spark new ideas. I bet we will all learn something new during Research Week.

Thank you to everyone for organizing, promoting and sharing events and details with colleagues. Research Week can’t happen without you.

Send us your details

If you’re planning to host or organize an event, please send along the details, including the title of the session, date, time, virtual log-in instructions or room/building location and a short description to vprfeedback@mun.ca no later than Monday, Nov. 9. We will add your event to an online events calendar. Further information about Research Week will be added; so, check back for updates!

Save the date!

Like many of you, our team is busy finalizing the details of events we are hosting. We’ll share more with you soon, but please save the date for a special session to kick-off Research Week.

If you find yourself on the St. John’s campus on Monday, Nov. 23, drop by our office between 10-11 a.m. for Brewing Relationships with the Research and Innovation Portfolio. We are in room IIC-3003 in the Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation. You will have a chance to grab a coffee, catch up with colleagues, build relationships and learn more about Memorial’s diverse research activities.

We hope you can join us.

And we hope to see you around during Research Week 2026.

As always, thank you for your continued support and fulsome engagement.

 Dr. André McDonald Vice-President (Research and Innovation)