Katherine Schultz, Ph.D., joined the University of Prince Edward Island as Vice President, Research Development in May 2001 after seven years as Associate Vice-President (Research & Graduate Studies) at the University of Winnipeg. Dr. Schultz heads UPEI’s Research Services and has overseen UPEI’s over five-fold increase in research funding. UPEI has been recognized as the Canadian leader in research growth for comparable institutions.
Dr. Schultz is an active participant in a variety of research and commercialization organizations. At present, she serves as Vice President, Springboard Atlantic Inc.; is a member of the Advisory Board for the Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (CISTI), the Canadian Research Knowledge Network (CRKN), and the NRC Institute for BioDiagnostics. She is also Chair of the Board of Three Oaks Innovations, Inc.
Dr. Schultz’s academic field is psychology with a focus on behaviourial neuroscience. Her research interests are in gender differences in spatial problem solving and in mentoring.
Through its actions, Research Services will assist the University in its aim to place among the first rank of comparably sized Canadian research universities and, in selected areas, to be a leader nationally and internationally.
Officially adopted in the Spring of 2008, UPEI's current Strategic Plan pursues the following broad goals: the support of research, individually and in teams, across the full spectrum of academic disciplines; the enhancement of teaching and learning by an environment rich in research and creativity; the development of a dynamic culture of research, creativity, and innovation across the University. As the province's only university, UPEI must be a key site for and play a leadership role in knowledge-based development. To help achieve these goals, UPEI seeks to deploy Canada Research Chairs and Canada Foundation for Innovation grants to promote the development of teams of researchers comprising scholars from more than one academic unit or discipline. These teams will be encouraged in areas of existing or emerging research strength and excellence. Supported areas of research will have a demonstrable impact—in terms of benefits and reputation—for Prince Edward Island, the Atlantic Region, and Canada. Canada Research Chairs will be catalysts and leaders for these constellations of researchers, and Canada Foundation for Innovation grants will help provide the tools needed for high-level collaborative research.
UPEI's current strategic plan can be viewed here.
