Joy Johnson appointed new president of Simon Fraser University

Simon Fraser University’s Board of Governors has appointed professor Joy Johnson as the university’s next president and vice-chancellor.

Johnson, SFU’s current vice-president research and international, will take office on Sept. 1, 2020, succeeding Andrew Petter.

“SFU is a remarkable institution at a remarkable time in its history,” Johnson said in a prepared statement. “We continue to attract world-class students, faculty and staff, and we are stepping into a new era of potential.”

Johnson said she was committed to vibrant student learning experiences, equity, diversity and inclusion, and Aboriginal reconciliation.

As vice-president of research, Johnson helped SFU’s research income increase from $103 million in 2014 (when she took on the role) to $161 million today.

During her tenure, the university launched SFU Innovates, secured two Canada 150 chairs and became host to Canada’s most powerful academic supercomputer. The university also became a founding partner in the City of Surrey’s burgeoning Health and Technology District and established collaborative research partnerships around the world.

Fiona Robin, chair of SFU’s Board of Governors and chair of the presidential search committee, said Johnson stood out from other candidates for her depth of academic and research experience, commitment to students and enthusiasm for the future of SFU.

Johnson completed her PhD in nursing at the University of Alberta and is a former professor in the University of British Columbia’s School of Nursing.

Before joining SFU, she had an academic and research career in the health sciences — focusing on how environments and social dynamics influence health outcomes and opportunities, particularly among youth.

From there Johnson was appointed scientific director with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Gender and Health and was later elected Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (2019).

Johnson is the co-author of more than 180 peer-reviewed manuscripts and has led several initiatives that mobilized research insights to influence practice and policy.

dcarrigg@postmedia.com