Dr. W.F. James Chair of Studies in the Pure and Applied Sciences

The purpose of the Dr. W.F. James Chair of Studies in the Pure and Applied Sciences is to promote scholarly activity in the pure and applied sciences through four initiatives: the James Research Chairs, the James Visiting Chairs, Student Research Conference Travel Support Program, and the James Research Equipment and Support Program. Applications for any of these initiatives are made using the StFX ROMEO Researcher Portal.

James Research Chairs

The purpose of the Dr. W.F. James Research Chair is to recognize and support tenured and tenure-track faculty at StFX doing cutting edge scholarship in the hosting departments by providing teaching release of up to 9 credit hours over the term of the appointment. To be eligible, the appointee must be a regular, full-time, tenured or tenure-track member of StFX faculty in one of the hosting departments, be a pre-eminent scholar and recognized internationally as an established or emerging leader in their field, and illustrate how the partial release from teaching duties is expected to have a demonstrable positive impact on their research and scholarly productivity.

CURRENT JAMES CHAIRHOLDERS:

• Dr. David Risk, Department of Earth Sciences - W. F. James Research Chair in the Pure and Applied Sciences (2021-2023)
• Dr. Robert van den Hoogen, Department of Mathematics and Statistics - W. F. James Research Chair in the Pure and Applied Sciences (2022-2024)
• Dr. Melanie Lam, Department of Human Kinetics- W. F. James Research Scholar in the Pure and Applied Sciences (2022-23)
• Dr. Daniel Kane, Department of Human Kinetics - W. F. James Research Chair in the Pure and Applied Sciences (2023-25)
• Dr. Ornella Nzindukiyimana, Department of Human Kinetics, W.F. James Research Chair in the Pure and Applied Sciences (2023-25)
• Dr. Jantina Toxopeus, Department of Biology - W. F. James Research Scholar in the Pure and Applied Sciences (2023-24)

Visiting Chairs Program 

The appointee to the Dr. W.F. James Visiting Chair may be a generalist of stature in society at large and of mature reputation who would be looked upon primarily as a teacher and public lecturer; or a noted scholar who would be looked upon primarily as a public lecture and researcher; or a very promising scholar who would be considered primarily as a researcher. The appointment of individuals to the James Visiting Chair may be for any length of time to a maximum of one year. Letters of invitation and appointment shall be sent by the Academic Vice-President and Provost. A statement describing the financial support paid to the James Chair professor shall accompany the letter of appointment.

Student Research Conference Travel Support Program

The purpose of the Dr. W.F. James Student Research Conference Travel Support Program is to provide students undertaking research in the pure and applied sciences to travel outside of the university and present their research findings at national or international conferences. Such activity increases the profile of StFX through these student ambassadors and provides students with an exceptional experience to develop research presentation skills.

The Selection Committee will accept and evaluate proposals for the funding of travel, accommodation, subsistence and registration expenses for national or international conferences at which students will present their research work or results.

Proposals should include a description of the event, the number/names of StFX students participating, and a budget detailing the funds requested. Applications to this program must be submitted while the students are registered at StFX and the conference must occur within 12 months of the student’s last day as a registered

student. A maximum of $7500/year from the James Chair funding will be allocated to this program. Individual students will be funded up to a maximum of $1500.

Research Equipment and Support Program

Any remaining funds up to twenty-five percent of the income each year for the Dr. W.F. James Chair may be available for support of research that is intended to achieve the objective of the endowment. These expenditures have to be approved by the Selection Committee. Proposals for Research Equipment and Support can be submitted by any team of two or more faculty members who are appointed to at least two Programs, or by the Dean of Science to the selection committee by October 1.