The year 2025–2026 was rich in initiatives aimed at improving the student experience and strengthening Faculty practices. Professor David K. Wright’s becoming vice-dean, student affairs, July 1, 2025, was a key moment during the year. His appointment for a three-year term ensures leadership continuity and renewed engagement regarding student matters. 

The Faculty also continued efforts at student dialogue, with two online meetings with student associations. These meetings allowed for discussion of practical issues, including access to spaces, use of AI tools and management of deferred exams (DFR), while encouraging open, constructive communication.

As well, a deferred exam pilot project was implemented to better regulate DFR use, including mandatory meetings for recurrent requests and improved processing of supporting documentation. 

Finally, integrating undergraduate research projects in the SSP 3900 self-directed course allowed us to offer units (credits) for research experience, as well as encouraging student autonomy and academic engagement.

Over the year, our office led several key initiatives to strengthen faculty governance, support academic leadership and improve institutional processes. 

One major stage was completed with the update of Faculty bylaws and development of a procedural guide covering elections, appointments and management of vacant positions. These fundamental documents, approved by the Executive Committee of the Senate in November 2025, make governance clearer, more transparent and more consistent. 

The office also offered strategic support in the recruitment of the vice dean, academic, and extension of the term of the vice-dean, research. As well, to meet the schools’ governance and procedural needs, informal meetings were organized with school leadership, which fostered discussion on shared concerns and strengthened connections between the academic units. 

Ongoing labour relations support for the dean and the schools regarding interpreting the collective agreements, developing procedures and facilitating issue resolution helped maintain a collaborative, productive workplace. 

Support for professors remains a priority. It is evidenced both by the welcome of newcomers as part of a full orientation and by support for retiring professors, including providing a retirement guide. The office continues to manage the Faculty awards process, reinforcing a culture of recognition. 

Finally, equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives played a central role, including the Allies for Change series, which highlighted student achievements, truth and reconciliation, cultural diversity and Black change agents in health sciences. 

Thanks to these changes, the office has helped strengthen the foundations of an inclusive, well-governed faculty, focused on the future.

In three years, we have secured five new Canada Research Chairs and three professors have received new University Research Chairs. The Faculty was recognized by the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, for continued success in securing external research funding, notably among early career researchers. 

With the updated FHS Strategic Plan (2024–2029), we introduced research-focused priorities and began tracking progress using key performance indicators. Research is now a standing agenda item for all relevant Faculty committees, creating regular opportunities to seek input on research-related issues and advocate for meaningful improvements. We also developed a research offboarding checklist to support retiring professors and established policies regarding workload for external research contracts and volunteer research activities.

At the University level, we facilitated a more inclusive uOttawa CV template, advocated for more efficient ethics review processes and acquired the REDCap application for secure data collection and storage. 

Finally, our first Research Day in Health Sciences in April, bringing together the Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, the School of Human Kinetics and the School of Nursing, drew more than 180 participants. With eight oral presentations and more than 90 student posters, the event highlighted the significance and interdisciplinary nature of the research conducted by postdoctoral researchers, undergraduate students and graduate students. The outstanding quality of the presentations, combined with strong participation from members of the Faculty and of individual schools, made this event a highlight of the year.