About us
Established in 2011, the Alliance of Canadian Comprehensive Research Universities (ACCRU) is a network that shares information, resources, and strategies to support research excellence in small and medium sized comprehensive universities across Canada.
ACCRU member Universities span all 10 provinces and the Yukon and represent nearly half of all Canadian universities.
Mission
ACCRU acts with a collective voice to advocate for research and researchers at small and medium-sized comprehensive universities across Canada. ACCRU is a network that shares information, resources, and strategies to support research excellence and impacts within and across its member institutions.
Vision
ACCRU contributes to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive research ecosystem in Canada where the contributions of researchers in small and medium sized universities are valued, supported, and shared to benefit society.
Values
ACCRU is a welcoming, inclusive, collaborative, and resourceful group of like-minded colleagues. ACCRU is uniquely positioned to support its members and their shared research interests. ACCRUs core values include:
A commitment to research excellence. Research excellence is not defined by size or location and is prevalent in small and medium sized comprehensive universities across Canada.
A commitment to diverse research training opportunities. Research training is important for all students, including undergraduate students across all disciplines.
A commitment to community-responsive research. Communities benefit from research when it is done in collaboration with their university partners, on issues that are important to them and when knowledge is shared with them.
A commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion within the Canadian academic research environment. The impact of research is enhanced when equity, diversity and inclusion are authentic features of the research and scholarly activity in our universities.
A commitment to knowledge sharing. Knowledge must be mobilized and communicated to diverse audiences to realize true impact. ACCRU supports innovative knowledge mobilization, as well as open data access and publishing.
A commitment to equitable research funding. ACCRU aims to elevate the understanding of the realities, barriers, and challenges in research funding to achieve equitable funding opportunities for Canadian university researchers and increase the impact of research in Canada for the greater good.
Block Stats
The Alliance represents 42 small and medium size Universities covering all 10 provinces and the Yukon. These Universities are actively pursuing projects and initiatives within and outside the communities in which they are embedded.
- 269,473 Full-time Undergrad Students
- 90,966 Part-time Undergrad Students
- 39,916 Full-time Graduate Students
- 18,117 Part-time Graduate Students
- 42 Members
- 10 + Yukon Provinces
Our team
Dr. Michel Caron
Executive Director
613-889-7767
ExecDirACCRU@wlu.caJennifer McInnis
Executive Administrative Assistant
613-805-7767
AdminACCRU@wlu.ca
Board Members for 2025-2026
Dr. Jacqueline Gahagan - Chair
Associate Vice-President Research
Dr. Batia Stolar - Co-chair
Associate Vice-President Research & Graduate Studies
Dr. David MaGee
Vice President Research
Dr. Richard Chandra
Associate Provost Research and Graduate Studies
Dr. Matthew Peros
Associate Vice-President Research
Dr. Nathalie Gendron
Director, Research Services
Dr. Tammy Eger
Vice-President Research
Dr. Craig Kuziemsky
Associate Vice-President Research
Let’s talk
Need more information on a dedicated subject or on how to join the Alliance as a small or medium size university, please do not hesitate to contact us.
