Appointed to the role in 2018, Charbonneau has been instrumental in the University of Ottawa’s rise to global leadership in research and innovation. Under his steerage, the University climbed the rankings thanks to close collaboration with the vice-deans, research, in the 10 faculties and the six affiliated hospital research institutes. “We mobilized our research ecosystem to create an environment where academic excellence and innovation are central to our priorities. I’m very proud of that,” he says.
Charbonneau stresses the importance of a clear vision and strategic focus in managing research priorities. “If you have more than four priorities, then you have none at all,” he says. Under Charbonneau’s guidance, the University defined four strategic areas of research in a rigorous, data-driven exercise to structure research and innovation efforts for maximum impact and tangible results.
Pioneering vision and remarkable achievements
Among the highlights of his tenure was the establishment of the University of Ottawa’s Kanata North satellite campus, in the middle of the country’s largest technology park. A former entrepreneur who founded a company in that very park in 2000, Charbonneau understood the importance of linkages between industry and academia. “The idea was to connect us directly to the technology community,” he explains. That vision strengthened collaboration between the University and local businesses, transforming uOttawa into a regional innovation engine.
Another major achievement was negotiating strategic agreements with the region’s hospitals to create the Ottawa Academic Health Network, an initiative bringing together the teaching, research and innovation activities of the University and its partner hospitals under a single banner. “It’s a solid foundation for the future, and a great starting point for new research advances,” he says.
During Charbonneau’s tenure, the University of Ottawa secured the largest investment in its history—$109 million—from the federal government’s Canada First Research Excellence Fund for the launch of the Brain-Heart Interconnectome, a groundbreaking interdisciplinary research program aimed at developing tools to prevent, screen, treat and manage brain-heart disorders.
Charbonneau oversaw the construction of new research infrastructure, such as the STEM Complex. The facility, the largest building on campus, opened in 2018 and doubled the space dedicated to research, experiential learning and entrepreneurship. More recently, he spearheaded the start of work on the Advanced Medical Research Centre (AMRC), the largest single investment in the University’s history. The AMRC will be a hotbed of interdisciplinary innovation focused on improving human health.
In 2019, Charbonneau launched the Collège des Chaires de recherche sur le monde francophone, a program whose mission is to consolidate the University of Ottawa’s position as a leader in research on the Francophonie in Ontario, Canada and around the world.
An atypical, inspiring career
Charbonneau’s background, combining academic and industrial experience, strongly influenced his approach as vice-president. Before joining the University of Ottawa, Charbonneau worked as a researcher at the National Research Council of Canada and co-founded a technology company specializing in photonics. That dual perspective enabled him to build strong connections between the worlds of academia and industry.
“I loved being a scientist, but at some point in my career, I had an ‘Aha!’ moment and realized I was getting more satisfaction out of helping others grow and succeed,” Charbonneau says. “I’ve always been passionate about team building, encouraging colleagues, communication and conflict resolution. As I often say, we’re only as good as our people.”
Reflecting on what he’ll miss most, Charbonneau speaks warmly about the lively atmosphere of a campus teeming with students, whom he considers a unique source of energy and vitality. “The average age at the University of Ottawa is still the same, thanks to the influx of new students every year,” he quipped. He also mentions long-time colleagues and friends whom he’ll miss.
A football fan, Charbonneau recalls his experience as a guest coach for the Gee-Gees. “I loved working with the team. My job was to give them—athletes twice my size—a pep talk. At the end of the game, they gave me a ball signed by all the players. It was a very special moment for me,” he said. Charbonneau’s love of sport mirrors his ability to rally others around common goals, whether on a football field or in the research arena.
Although Charbonneau is stepping down, he remains optimistic about the future of research in Canada, stressing the importance of increased collaboration between universities, governments and industry. He leaves with a sense of mission accomplished. “We’ve succeeded in creating an environment where research and innovation are at the core of our university, and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together,” he says. As Charbonneau passes the torch, he’s certain that the University of Ottawa will continue to grow in excellence, relevance and impact, following the three criteria he applied throughout his tenure.