My predecessor, Heather Munroe-Blum, told me at the time of my appointment that the position of Vice-President, Research was one of the most exciting roles at the University of Toronto. She was right. I have been amazed at the research talent throughout U of T, and I hope I can help our faculty cross boundaries and reach new frontiers.

I must acknowledge the extraordinary contributions of Professor Munroe-Blum and Interim Vice-President Carolyn Tuohy. Thanks in large part to their efforts, we are well positioned to maximize opportunities created by new investment programs and research partnerships.

My job is to build on their work. In that regard, we have changed the name of the portfolio from Vice-President, Research and International Relations to Vice-President, Research and Associate Provost. This new title does not diminish the importance we place on international collaborations and partnerships. In fact, it signals the fact that "internationalization" permeates all of our vice-presidential portfolios and the full range of our scholarship. The Associate Provost component highlights the vital relationship between teaching and research, a relationship we will strengthen further.

We are now developing a new strategic plan for research that will follow three themes: differentiation, facilitation and leadership.

Through differentiation, we must showcase the broad impact that can be realized through strategic investments in research. To further this goal, we will facilitate multidisciplinary collaborations across our three campuses, building on opportunities to create diversely-talented research teams that will advance our research agenda.

Finally, we will provide leadership in advising government on the most effective ways of funding the research enterprise. To do that, we must tell the world about the work of our scholars, in all disciplines. That is why Edge is such an important tool. The stories in our prize-winning publication demonstrate clearly that the University of Toronto - and universities everywhere - make a vibrant and essential impact on global society.