Research Impact Day

Join us for an engaging panel discussion as we formally introduce Concordia’s commitment to the Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) and explore its implications for the future of academia. Signed by Concordia in December 2024, DORA challenges traditional research assessment practices and promotes fair, inclusive, and meaningful evaluation criteria.

Moderated by Dr. Emad Shihab (Associate Dean, Research and Innovation and Professor, P. Eng, Computer Science and Software Engineering), this panel will bring together leading experts in  research assessment, alongside Dr. Monica Mulrennan who will discuss Concordia’s motivation for signing DORA. Together, they will share their insights and experiences on navigating the evolving landscape of academic assessment, offering valuable perspectives on how these changes can shape academic careers, foster innovation, and strengthen research culture. Whether you’re a researcher, administrator, or simply curious about the future of research evaluation, this event promises to spark thought-provoking conversations and provide actionable ideas for fostering a more equitable and impactful approach to research assessment.

How can you participate? Join us in person or online by registering for the Zoom Meeting watching live on YouTube.

Have questions? Send them to info.4@concordia.ca

Dr. Giovanna Lima

Dr. Giovanna Lima joined DORA as a Program Manager in January 2025. Prior to this, Giovanna joined Erasmus University Rotterdam in 2022, delivering strategic approaches to fostering societal impact in research, education, and engagement. Giovanna has also served as Trinity College Dublin’s first Research Impact Officer with the Trinity Long Room Hub Arts and Humanities Research Institute, developing the Researcher Impact Framework, which has been translated into Portuguese and French. With a PhD and master's in public administration from FGV-EAESP, she was a research consultant for The Economist Impact and held a number of senior public management roles for the City Hall of São Paulo.

Dr. Kelly Cobey

Dr. Kelly Cobey is a Scientist at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute where she directs the Metaresearch and Open Science Program. She is also an Associate Professor in the School of Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of Ottawa. As a trained social psychologist Dr. Cobey brings her mixed-methods research approach to her program which addresses topics including: how to implement and monitor open science; how to increase the reporting quality of research; and how to better engage patients and the public in research conduct and dissemination. At present she serves as co-chair of DORA (Declaration On Research Assessment) where she works with the international science policy community to raise awareness of the need for research assessment reform.

Dr. Stephanie Warner

Dr. Stephanie Warner is the Manager of the Knowledge Engagement unit in Research Services at the University of Calgary (Canada), where she provides strategic planning for the portfolio’s initiatives including community-engaged research, knowledge mobilization, and research assessment. One of her team’s key roles is supporting the University’s commitment to the Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), including embedding research impact and its assessment into policy and practice. Stephanie holds a BSc in Biochemistry and a PhD in Experimental Medicine from the University of British Columbia (Vancouver), and certificates in Career Development and Academic Advising (University of Calgary) and Knowledge Mobilization (Guelph). With over 15 years of experience in research, teaching, graduate student advising, and strategic research support, Stephanie seeks creative, meaningful and inclusive ways to support and expand knowledge engagement, research assessment and societal impact across the University of Calgary.

Dr. Monica Mulrennan

Dr. Monica Mulrennan is Associate Vice-President, Research (Development & Impact) in the Office of the Vice-President, Research, Innovation & Impact (OVPRII) at Concordia University, where she is also a Professor in the Department of Geography, Planning & Environment. She leads Concordia’s “Pathways to Impact” initiative and plays a key role in advancing the university’s commitment to DORA. In addition to serving as Concordia’s SSHRC leader, Monica represents President Graham Carr as a delegate on the Pew-sponsored Presidents and Chancellors’ Council on Public Impact Research. Her research involves long-term partnerships with the Crees of Eeyou Istchee and Torres Strait Islanders in northern Australia, exploring Indigenous-led strategies for environmental protection and local adaptations to change in land-sea settings.  She holds a PhD in Geography from University College Dublin, Ireland, and is a founding member of CICADA (the Centre for Indigenous Conservation and Development Alternatives) at McGill University. Her previous leadership roles at Concordia include serving as Associate Dean, Graduate Student Affairs, in the School of Graduate Studies (2004-08) and Chair of the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment(2014-17). In recognition of her contributions, she received Concordia University’s Academic Leadership Award in 2017.

Organized by Monica Mulrennan, Prem Sooriyakumar and Brett Cox