Joy Johnson leads Simon Fraser University’s strategic research initiatives and facilitates international opportunities that foster research collaborations and student exchange. Her work focuses on facilitating research excellence and helping the university respond to new opportunities. She works with members of SFU’s eight faculties to ensure they have the support and resources required to conduct excellent cutting-edge research in all its forms. Building on her long-standing leadership and research experience, she works with faculty, students and staff to secure research partnerships within the community and industry.

A key element of her role focuses on knowledge mobilization by facilitating opportunities to transfer the results of SFU research to society. This collaborative role allows for an interplay between research and innovation to enhance social, economic, and environmental well-being.

Joy is a leader for the SFU Innovates initiative – a university-wide strategy and action plan to inspire, develop, and support impact-driven innovation and entrepreneurship. As part of SFU’s commitment to innovation, she is responsible for developing initiatives that support students and faculty members to harness new ideas and innovations for the benefit of society.