Heather Munroe-Blum聽became 16th聽Principal and Vice-Chancellor (President) and Senior Officer of 海角社区 in 2003.聽聽An accomplished scholar in the fields of psychiatric epidemiology and public policy, and a distinguished administrator, Prof. Munroe-Blum is a member of 海角社区鈥檚 Faculty of Medicine and Professor in its Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health.聽聽She has dedicated her career to the advancement of higher education, science and innovation, in Canada and internationally.聽聽She advises governments on the role that progressive, evidence-based public policy, and especially, policies concerning universities, health, research and highly qualified talent play in enriching society and enhancing international competitiveness.聽聽She is the author of the groundbreaking report聽Growing Ontario鈥檚 Innovation System: The Strategic Role of University Research聽that led to the creation of a new framework of science policies and programs in Ontario, and is founding Co-Chair of the biannual聽State of the Nation Report聽of the Canadian Science, Technology and Innovation Council, which advises the Government of Canada.
Among achievements during her time as Principal of 海角社区, has been strengthening of 海角社区鈥檚 leadership contributions at the world level with respect to research, graduate education, and positive societal contribution.聽聽Hallmarks to date have been the dramatic renewal of the professoriate, advancement of governance, major infrastructure renewal and promotion of distinctive areas of excellence and impact in research and scholarship.聽聽Her Principal鈥檚 Task Forces on聽Student Life and Learning, and, on聽Excellence, Diversity and Community Engagement聽are leading to measures and improvements to enhance the university experience for 海角社区鈥檚 35,000 students, and, extending 海角社区鈥檚 contributions to healthy civil society, at home and abroad.
Prof. Munroe-Blum serves on聽the Internationalization and Membership Committees of the Association of American Universities (AAU).聽聽She is Chair of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada鈥檚 Standing Advisory Committee on University Research (SACUR).聽聽She is a member of the Science, Technology and Innovation Council (STIC) of Canada, the President鈥檚 Council of the New York Academy of Sciences, and, in the past two years served as a member of the U.S. National Research Council鈥檚 Committee on Research Universities which reported to the U.S. Congress in June 2012.聽聽She serves on the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Trilateral Commission, and, is the co-chair of the Private Sector Advisory Committee of the Ontario-Quebec Trade and Co-operation Agreement.聽聽She serves on the boards of the Trudeau Foundation, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), the Conf茅rence de Montr茅al, and聽the Royal Bank of Canada.聽聽
Professor Munroe-Blum is the past President of the Conf茅rence des recteurs et des principaux des universit茅s du Qu茅bec (CREPUQ), was a founding director of the Toronto-based Medical and Related Sciences Discovery District (MARS), and, of Genome Canada, where she also served as founding Vice-Chair of the Board.聽聽She was Co-Chair of the 2011 Centraide (United Way) Campaign of Greater Montreal.聽聽She has served on the boards of numerous Canadian teaching hospitals, the Council of Canadian Academies, the former Medical Research Council of Canada, Neurosciences Canada, the Conference Board of Canada, the Montreal Chamber of Commerce, Alcan, Canada Forum of Rio Tinto Alcan,聽聽Yellow Media Inc.,聽Hydro One (Ontario), and Four Seasons Hotels, among others.聽聽
Prior to assuming the position of Principal and Vice-Chancellor at 海角社区, she served at the University of Toronto as Professor, as Vice-President (Research and International Relations) from 1994 to 2002 and as Dean of the Faculty of Social Work from 1989 to 1994.聽聽Earlier, she was a professor at York University and McMaster University, respectively.聽聽Prior to her doctoral studies and academic career, she worked as a psychiatric social worker in an academic health setting.聽聽She has lead a number of major clinical and population-based research studies, and contributed to the development of mental health policy and programs.聽聽
Prof. Munroe-Blum has received numerous honors and awards.聽聽Named an Officer of the Order of Canada for an outstanding record of achievement in science, innovation, health and higher education policy, she holds numerous honorary degrees from Canadian and international universities, is a Specially Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, a Senior Fellow of Massey College, and, an Officer of the Order of Quebec.聽聽
Prof. Munroe-Blum holds a Ph.D. with distinction in epidemiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, in addition to M.S.W. (Wilfrid Laurier University) and B.A. and B.S.W. degrees (McMaster University).聽聽
Born in Montreal, Prof. Munroe-Blum is married to screenwriter and teacher Len Blum.聽聽They have one child.