University of Toronto - Ghent University Partnership

About

The preferential partnership between Ghent University and the University of Toronto converges the research capacity and expertise at both institutions. to explore and test interdisciplinary responses to global challenges. This partnership builds on the research excellence of both partners as well as technical cooperation with the public and private sectors, and international organisations, including the World Health Organization Collaborating Centres housed at both institutions. This partnership leverages the complementary research strengths in the two academic communities to deliver a high-quality programme of research and to offer sustained and high-impact scientific and real-world outcomes.

The preferential partnership originally conceptualised its work in three thematic areas Health equity & impact, Citizenship & societies, and Sustainable systems. In order to further align the strategic research interests of both partners, the scope of themes has been widened. Currently, University-wide themes are accepted for funding.

The Preferential Partnership between Ghent University and the University of Toronto funds research, educational, and infrastructural exchanges between both institutions.

Call for funding applications

With support from the Special Research Fund at Ghent University, the preferential partnership between the University of Toronto and Ghent University welcomes applications for funding from staff in all faculties and departments, working in all disciplines, at both universities.

Purpose

These grants serve to broaden and deepen research and educational collaboration between faculty and staff at the University of Toronto and Ghent University through 2025.

Examples of eligible activities include but are not limited to:

  • Initiating a jointly organised seminar, webinar, workshop, conference, or other academic event
  • Fostering research collaboration between a Ghent University Masters or PhD student or post-doctoral researcher with peers at the University of Toronto
  • Supporting the mobility of a Ghent University Masters or PhD student, post-doctoral researcher, or professor to the University of Toronto
  • Supporting the mobility of a University of Toronto Masters or PhD student, post-doctoral researcher, or professor to Ghent University

Eligibility criteria

Professors and post-doctoral researchers at Ghent University may apply for a grant; Masters and PhD may also apply for a grant but must be sponsored by a professor or post-doctoral researcher at Ghent University. All proposals must also be sponsored by a University of Toronto supervisor who holds a PhD and a professorial function at the University of Toronto.

Practicalities

What do we do?

The activities include but are not limited to:

  • Joint research collaborations or the joint publication of scientific papers and educational materials
  • Joint courses or graduate and post-doctoral mobility
  • Exchange of faculty, trainees and staff
  • Participation in and the co-hosting of lectures, meetings, seminars, symposia and conferences
  • Exchanges of knowledge
  • Joint applications for funding for future or ongoing collaborative projects
  • Collaboration in other areas that foster research and educational cooperation
  • Joint education programmes, e.g. MOOCs

Members

The preferential partnership is a living partnership. Therefore, its membership may change and those changes may not immediately be reflected below. The steering group members are indicated in bold

From Ghent University:

  • Faculty of Arts & Philosophy: Prof. Andrew Bricker, Prof. Marco Caracciolo, Prof. Roald Docter, Prof. Jurgen Pieters, Prof. Pierre Schoentjes, Prof. Frank Vermeulen, Dr. Geertje Bol, Dr. Hannah Cornelus, Dr. Zoë Ghyselinck, Dr. Beatrijs Wille
  • Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences: Prof. Pauline Boeckxstaens, Prof. Sara Willems, Dagje Boeykens, Reini Haverals
  • Faculty of Engineering & Architecture: Prof. Roel Baets, Prof. Lieven Eeckhout, Prof. Mark Saeys, Prof. Patrick Segers 
  • Faculty of Psychology & Educational Sciences: Prof. Bram De Wever, Prof. Daniele Marinazzo, Prof. Rudi Roose, Prof. Ruben Vanderlinde, Nele Feryn
  • Faculty of Law & Criminology: Prof. Georges Martyn


From the University of Toronto:

  • Dalla Lana School of Public Health: Prof. Lisa Forman, Prof. Erica Di Ruggiero, Prof. Andrew Pinto, Dr. Katrina Perehudoff, Dr. Carolyn Steele Gray,
  • Faculty of Medicine: Prof. Tara Kieran, Prof. Nav Persaud
  • Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy: Prof. Jillian Kohler
  • Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering: Prof. Andreas Moshovos, Prof. Natalie Enright Jerger, Prof. David Steinman, Prof. Amr Helmy
  • Faculty of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry: Prof. Cathy Chin
  • Ontario Institute for Studies in Education: Prof. Jim Slotta
  • Faculty of Arts & Science: Prof. Barbara Havercroft, Prof. Pascal Riendeau and Prof. Pascal Michelucci
  • Faculty of Law: Prof. Simon Stern

For further information concerning the preferential partnership between Ghent University and the University of Toronto, please contact either the chairman of the partnership, Professor Andrew Bricker, or the coordinator of the partnership, Elise Meerburg.

Activities

Title Department Type of activity UG Supervisor UoT Supervisor
Launching a pediatric precision oncology platform in Belgium Biomolecular Medicine Seminars Kaat Durinck Madeline Hayes
Bridging borders for diagnostic safety: exploring patient perceptions on the value of virtual assistants
for self-management
Public Health and Primary Care Short research stay Ann Van Hecke Kelly Smith

Workshop “Women in the History of Political Thought: Labor, Property and the Family”

History Short research stay Geertje Bol Torrey Shanks
Multilingualism and literacy in deaf children Faculty of Arts and Philosophy Short research stay Beatrijs Wille Jeff Bale
Literature and Arts in Narrative-based Medicine Literary studies Short research stay by a team Jurgen Pieters Karen Gold
Connecting Land- and Seascapes in the Greek world: Ghent
Toronto Young Researchers meeting Athens, Summer 2022
Archaeology young researchers meeting Roald Docter Carl Knappett
Archaeological field training and concerted research at the site of Falerii Novi (Italy) Archaeology Workshop Frank Vermeulen Seth Bernard
Africa and the Hogarth Press, 1917-53 Literary Studies archival research Cedric Van Dijck Adam Hammond
Goal-oriented care: exploring the mechanisms of sustainable implementation in primary care sites in Flanders and Ontario Department of Public Health and Primary Care long research stay Pauline Boeckxstaens Carolyn Steele Gray
Goal-oriented care as a catalyst for integrated care Department of Public Health and Primary Care seed funding to explore the role of a Toronto supervisor in a phd that has not yet started Pauline Boeckxstaens Carolyn Steele Gray
Social work in primary health care Department of Social Work and Social Pedagogy Short research stay Rudi Roose Rachelle Ashcroft
Science and Narrative Form: Opening a Dialogue Literary Studies Short research stay Marco Caracciolo Daniel Aureliano Newman