UBCBulletin Updates for leadership

Launching the search for a new Vice-President, Research and Innovation

This message was sent to executive, deans and other senior academic leaders, academic heads, directors and managers, and senior professional leaders in Vancouver and the Okanagan.

November 12, 2025

I am pleased to announce that UBC has embarked on a search for a new Vice-President, Research and Innovation (VPRI) as Dr. Gail C. Murphy let us know she will be stepping down from her role, effective May 31, 2026. 

The VPRI reports to the President and is responsible for providing leadership in the development and administration of research at UBC, and being a strong advocate for the full range of the university’s research. A key aspect of the role is establishing and maintaining effective liaison with external funding agencies, business, industry, non-profit, government, and the broader community. More details about the units in the VPRI portfolio are available online. 

In accordance with Board Policy AP12, I have established an advisory committee to support the search process. The advisory committee consists of:

  • Benoit-Antoine Bacon, President (Chair)
  • Natalie Chan, Board of Governors
  • Dallas Leung, Board of Governors
  • Sandy Hilton, Board of Governors
  • Mark MacLachlan, UBC Vancouver Senate
  • Wendy Norman, UBC Vancouver Senate
  • Julien Picault, UBC Okanagan Senate
  • Suzie Currie, UBC Okanagan Senate
  • Jalen Bachra, UBC Vancouver Graduate Student
  • Lindsay Burton, UBC Okanagan Graduate Student
  • Chen Greif, UBC Vancouver Faculty Member
  • Lesley Lutes, UBC Okanagan Faculty Member
  • Heather Frost, Assistant Vice-President, Research
  • Lisa Sundstrom, Associate Vice-President, Research and Innovation
  • Adam Charania, Vice-President, Human Resources (Secretary)

We are also supported in this search by Boyden Executive Search. If you have any comments or feedback for this search, please send your comments to the confidential email ubc@boyden.com
 

Benoit-Antoine Bacon
President and Vice-Chancellor

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