David Muir has joined Western University as its inaugural associate vice-president for innovation and strategic partnerships, which includes overseeing the tech transfer office.
Western University welcomed David Muir as its first-ever associate vice-president for innovation and strategic partnerships on Tuesday.
Muir’s duties will include overseeing Worldiscoveries, the commercialisation arm of Western University also responsible for Robarts Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute, as well Western Research Parks.
His recruitment follows the university’s decision in September 2021 to make permanent the appointment of Souzan Armstrong as executive director of Worldiscoveries, a position she had held in an interim capacity for nine months prior.
Muir joined from the National Research Council of Canada, where he served as director of research and development for the automotive and surface transportation portfolio in London, Ontario. He previously spent two decades in industry, holding a variety of positions with 3M Canada.
The move marks a return to Western University for Muir, who gained a BSc in chemistry and a PhD in synthetic organic chemistry from the institution.
Muir said: “Western has this great combination of research, expertise in idea generation and commercialising intellectual property, and the physical space to incubate, collaborate and scale up strategic partnerships.
“I never would have dreamed myself in this role at the time. I am not sure I knew a role like this even existed. But I think we as a university and as researchers now have a broader vision, a vision of the role universities can play in forging a greater societal impact when connecting excellence in research with strong, complementary partnerships.”
Lesley Rigg, vice-president, research, at Western University, added: “Connecting the research we do to policymakers, to industry and to our broader communities is a key way universities have impact and improve the world around us.
“We are excited to have David work with faculty, students, trainees and with external partners and groups to develop a shared plan for innovation at Western. He brings innovative ideas, is a proven relationship-builder and has significant experience across sectors within the research and development landscape.”
– Image courtesy of Western University
