At McMaster, our research strength is one of our most prized assets. We’re home to some of the best minds and laboratories in the country, with research income and output rivaling those of universities more than twice our size.

Our core research community comprises individuals from around the globe: some 1,000 full-time faculty, nearly 5,000 graduate students, almost 300 post-doctoral fellows and hundreds of skilled technicians and research associates.

Many of our 31,000 undergraduate students work with researchers on leading-edge projects and have the opportunity to experience “hands on” research through a number of creative programs across our six faculties – business, engineering, health sciences, humanities, science and social sciences.

Their research contributions place us among the world’s top 85 universities and have earned us a reputation as a hotbed of discovery and innovation. Research Infosource consistently ranks McMaster among Canada’s most research-intensive universities, a meaningful ranking as it signifies our researchers are proficient and deliver results. Nearly one-quarter of our total sponsored research income of $374.6 million (2022) comes from the private sector – a true testament to the confidence our partners place in our people.

Our rankings and our reputation are built on the strength of our researchers who work collaboratively across disciplines. This interdisciplinary approach to research is an integral part of our culture and is a hallmark of our research brand. We consider our size – large enough to attract some of the world’s best researchers, yet small enough to maintain a collegial and collaborative research environment – a strategic advantage that differentiates us from our peers and positions us to tackle some of the most complex challenges of our time.

And while we have much of which to be proud in terms of investments, equally – perhaps even more – important is the broader influence and impact our research is having on our society. More and more, universities are called upon to use their knowledge for social, cultural and economic development, and McMaster researchers are more than equal to the task. They’re trusted and reliable partners, who translate their research and mobilize their knowledge to ensure it’s placed in the hands of those who can put it to its best use.

At McMaster, it is our goal and responsibility to use our evidence-based knowledge to support understanding, drive change, and, ultimately, advance human and societal health and well-being. I salute each of our researchers, and our entire research enterprise, for ensuring we achieve our goal.