McGill researcher recognized as Young Innovator

James Ford earns Networks of Centres of Excellence Award for translating research into action

James Ford, a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Geography at McGill University, has received one of three Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) Young Innovator Awards for his work on climate change and his efforts to share the results of that work with a wider audience.

"I've been working really hard and it's great to have the work recognized," said Ford, 29, whose research focuses on the vulnerability of Inuit populations to climate change. The non-monetary award recognizes young researchers who have successfully transferred their innovative research to a business, process, or service to benefit society at large.

Ford has published 11 peer-reviewed papers, collaborated with Inuit communities and institutions, advised northern governments and agencies on policy development, and contributed to media debates on climate change. In addition, through his work with the NCE's ArcticNet project, he has helped communities and industry reduce the economic impact of climate change.

The NCE is a federal program aimed at mobilizing Canada's best research talent in the academic, private and public sectors and applying it to the task of developing the economy and improving the quality of life of Canadians.

The NCE is managed jointly by the three federal granting agencies — the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) — in partnership with Industry Canada.