New ideas and innovations were on full display as Lakehead University celebrated its 20th annual Research & Innovation Week, February 24-28, 2025  in Thunder Bay.  R&I Week continues to be possible in large part through support from the Research Support Fund (RSF) which plays a fundamental role at Lakehead University in promoting the dissemination of research and innovation to the public.  The RSF is a federal funding program for post-secondary institutions in Canada that greatly assists with the indirect costs of managing their research support enterprise, helping to maintain a world-class research environment.

     During our special 20th anniversary Research and Innovation Week, researchers, students and community members engaged in discussion, shared knowledge and expertise, resulting in new research collaborations to support economic and social development in the north and beyond.

     “Research & Innovation Week is a platform for knowledge exchange and innovation, an opportunity to advance our understanding of how the work of people in our community adds to our understanding of individuals, groups, and societies and leads to advancements that not only improve, but enhance lives,” explained Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Vice-President of Research and Innovation.

     Our 20th anniversary year kicked off in Thunder Bay with "Science Carnival", a free public event held in collaboration with Science North at the Intercity Shopping Centre. As well, during the week, over 32 events including public lectures, interactive exhibits, research workshops, undergraduate and graduate student conferences and poster competitions engaged community members on the Thunder Bay campus. Topics included an arts integrated research gallery tour, health promotion research, dementia and aging in place, artificial intelligence, community-engaged research and knowledge mobilization, and more.

     One of the standout moments was the celebration of distinguished faculty and students during the Research and Innovation Awards of Excellence event. Dr. Christopher Mushquash (Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Mental Health and Addiction, Professor in the Department of Psychology) and Dr. Sandra Jeppesen (Professor in Media, Film, and Communications in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies at the Orillia Campus), were recognized with the 2025 Distinguished Researcher Award. Dr. Mushquash has devoted his career to addressing mental health- and addiction-related issues in rural and Indigenous communities. Dr. Jeppesen has transformed how scholars and practitioners conceptualize the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, and power within alternative media studies.

      In supporting R&I Week, the RSF helped our institution promote our research and innovation achievements with funding for event planning, advertising, and speaker fees and travel.