research and innovation

Dr. Langis Roy Joins Lakehead as Vice-President Research and Innovation

Thunder Bay and Orillia, Ont. – Internationally recognized scholar Dr. Langis Roy has been named Lakehead University’s next Vice-President, Research and Innovation.

Dr. Roy brings more than 20 years of academic and leadership experience to the position, having held academic appointments at the University of Ottawa, Carleton University, and most recently at Ontario Tech University, where he served terms as Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (2015–2021) and Deputy Provost (2020–2023).

“Dr. Roy’s leadership comes at a pivotal time,” expressed President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Gillian Siddall. “As a vital economic anchor in the regions we serve, Lakehead is poised to expand our impact through expanding partnerships and innovative collaborations. I am confident that with Dr. Roy’s vision and experience, Lakehead will continue to drive a culture of research excellence across our campuses, create new opportunities for students to be at the forefront of real-world cutting-edge research, and drive progress that matters–for people and the betterment of society.”

As Vice-President, Research and Innovation, Dr. Roy will lead the university’s extensive research and economic development portfolio, championing industry and expert engagement, working closely with faculty to secure research funding, creating the new strategic research plan, and advancing the national and global reputation of Lakehead research and scholarship.

“Lakehead is clearly ahead of the curve in terms of sustainability mindset and community engagement, and has unique synergies in its STEM Hub and interdisciplinary programming across central and northwestern Ontario,” said Dr. Roy, who has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Waterloo and a Master of Engineering and PhD in Electrical Engineering from Carleton University. “I look forward to joining this dynamic institution and contributing to Lakehead’s upward trajectory.”

With more than 150 peer-reviewed publications and three patents in radio-frequency system-on-package designs, Dr. Roy’s interdisciplinary research spans microwave components, wireless sensor and power harvesting technologies, and next-generation system integration with applications in 5G/6G, autonomous vehicles, biomedical monitoring, and more. His recent work focuses on AI-assisted design and control, and he co-leads the France-Canada GRACE (Generative Reconfigurable Adaptive Communications Electronics) consortium.

“With the rise of AI not only accelerating the pace of discovery but also democratizing business entrepreneurship, the possibilities for growing Lakehead’s research and innovation enterprise are limitless,” Dr. Roy added.

A globally engaged researcher, Dr. Roy has held visiting appointments at institutions in Finland and France, including the XLIM Institute at Université de Limoges in 2024. He was also involved in the Oshawa/Durham node of the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), playing a vital role in research and innovation initiatives in Ontario.

As a leader, Dr. Roy is known for his collaborative spirit, approachability, and deep commitment to supporting students, faculty, and industry partners. During his time at Ontario Tech, he led the transformation of the Office of Graduate Studies into the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and contributed to expanding experiential and work-integrated learning opportunities across the institution.

“There is a strong history of research and innovation at Lakehead,” said Dr. Siddall. “Although Lakehead is a primarily undergraduate university, the impact and importance of research happening across the university places us among the top research-intensive universities in the country. I look forward to supporting Dr. Roy as we continue to build on this incredible momentum.”

Dr. Roy will begin his five-year appointment on August 24, 2025.

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Langis Roy

research and innovation

Research

Orillia Campus hosts Research & Innovation Week from March 5 to 7

February 22, 2024 – Orillia, Ont.

The spotlight will be on research, innovation and collaboration during Lakehead University’s 19^th annual Research and Innovation Week, March 5 to 7, at the Orillia campus.

A venue for researchers to showcase their activity and expertise, Research & Innovation Week highlights the profound impact Lakehead faculty, graduate and undergraduate students have on our community and beyond through advancement of new perspectives and innovations.

“Research and Innovation Week is designed to elevate awareness of the university’s world-class research activity and expertise, create opportunities for collaboration, and recognize exceptional achievements,” explained Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Vice-President, Research and Innovation. “Through research and scholarly activity, we can improve every aspect of society.”

Various events are happening throughout the week including guest speakers, interactive exhibits and display, and research showcases.

On Tuesday, March 5 from 7 to 9 p.m. (as part of SDG Week Canada), Lakehead will host The Climate Baby Dilemma, a film screening and research panel hosted by Dr. Ellen Field, Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education, Dr. Helle Møller, Associate Professor in the Department of Health Sciences, and Sidney Howlett, Master of Education student, that will discuss the emotional dimensions of climate change and climate justice. Register at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/815837581167.

On Wednesday, March 6 at 1 p.m. in OA 2019, undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Sustainability Sciences will host It’s a Mossy World, a practical workshop and research showcase on bryophytes – true mosses, liverworts, and hornworts.

That afternoon from 4 to 6 p.m., join us for an industry panel to discuss leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to support your business and drive success. This session is presented in partnership with the County of Simcoe, City of Barrie, City of Orillia, and Georgian College. Register at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/811687177197.

And, on Thursday, March 7, students from the Media, Film and Communications program will present their annual showcase, Sandbox. From posters and multimedia to big-screen films, join us from 4 to 7 p.m. in Simcoe Hall.

Other highlights include faculty and student research poster presentations. The full schedule can be found at www.lakeheadu.ca/ri.

Events are free and open to the public. Registration is not required unless mentioned above. All events take place at the Lakehead Orillia campus at 500 University Ave. in Orillia.

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Media: For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact Jaclyn Bucik, Media, Communications and Marketing Associate, at 705-330-4010 ext. 2014 or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university with approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and over 2,000 faculty and staff at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead has nine faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Law, Natural Resources Management, Science & Environmental Studies, and Social Sciences & Humanities. Lakehead University’s achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally, including being ranked in the top half of Times Higher Education's 2023 World Universities Rankings for the fourth consecutive year, and the number one university in the world with fewer than 9,000 students in THE’s 2023 Impact Rankings (which assesses institutions against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals). Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

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research and innovation

Research

Innovation

Economic Development

Research in Action: Uncovering the importance of human capital

Before he became a university professor and author, Dr. Kunle Akingbola had a successful career as a Human Resources (HR) professional. He was the HR manager for the Canadian Red Cross in Toronto while working on the second of his three Master’s degrees. As he grappled with choosing a thesis topic, his research advisor made a suggestion that would change the course of Akingbola’s work and his life.

At the time, the Red Cross had just taken over managing a homeless shelter over the winter for the City of Toronto, which was downsizing services to the non-profit sector. On top of their regular programs, Red Cross employees had to create and staff a completely new program that they would give up in six months time, only to bring back another six months after that.

Akingbola took his advisor’s advice and used the Red Cross case study as the basis for his Master’s thesis on non-profit HR management. That line of study eventually led to his Ph.D. dissertation, which examined the entire strategy of non-profit organizations across Canada and the impact of government funding and the environment.

Akingbola’s growing expertise led to part-time university teaching. He eventually left his HR career to become a full-time professor. Today he is Associate Professor of Human Resource Management and Organizational Behaviour in the Faculty of Business Administration at Lakehead University’s Orillia campus.

With numerous publications including books, chapters in edited books, and articles in leading journals, research continues to be a large part of Akingbola’s work, which looks at ways to optimize the effectiveness of non-profit organizations while increasing employee satisfaction and improving outcomes for the communities they serve. He encourages his students to get research experience by helping him do surveys and data sorting.

“Prior to my study, no one had ever looked at HR management in non-profit organizations, says Akingbola. “There had been research on volunteers, but not employees of non-profit organizations that make up a major part of the Canadian social sector and account for about nine per cent of Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).”

His vast personal experience in HR in non-profit and healthcare sectors combined with his extensive ground-breaking research give Akingbola rare insight and expertise into social purpose enterprises. He understands the fine line organizations are forced to walk to secure the funding that is essential to support their services. It’s especially frustrating in the face of what Akingbola calls “mission drift.”

“How do you manage people who joined your organization because they believe in your mission, but now you have to go in a different direction because that’s where the funding is dictating you go?” says Akingbola.

One thing he is certain of is the importance of the human component in non-profit activities.

“The nature of service is emotional and it is human based,” says Akingbola. “You can install an ATM on Jarvis Street in Toronto that gives out blankets and coffee to the homeless on a cold winter’s night. But it can’t dispense compassion. In that regard you can’t replace human capital.”

Dr. Kunle Akingbola is the lead author of the book "Change Management in Nonprofit Organizations: Theory and Practice" (Palgrave Macmillan, 2019) and the author of "Managing Human Resources for Nonprofits" (Routledge, 2015).

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Lakehead Orillia

Research

research and innovation

Innovation

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