Canada Research Chairs advance asthma and climate policy research

Today, the Government of Canada announced the latest cohort of Canada Research Chairs, a national program which aims to attract and retain some of the world’s most accomplished and promising minds. Queen’s researcher Eva Kaufmann (Biomedical and Molecular Sciences) was named a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Immunology and Inflammation. Additionally, she has secured $517,084 in funding from the John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF), granted by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).

Also announced today was the reappointment of Kyla Tienhaara (Global Development Studies and School of Environmental Studies) as the Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Economy and Environment.

"Queen’s is proud see the research expertise of Drs. Kaufmann and Tienhaara recognized with these prestigious chair positions," says Nancy Ross, Vice-Principal Research. "Research addressing chronic disease and climate change closely aligns with the university’s mission of building a better future for both people and the planet, as we aim to tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time."

How governments can fight climate change

Research evidence indicates that phasing out the use of fossil fuels is critical to addressing climate change, and signatory countries of the Paris Agreement have agreed to commit to finance flows that are consistent with low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development (Article 2.1). However, many governments still choose to continue investing in the fossil fuel industry, while advocacy groups and initiatives push for changes in local, regional, and national investment policies.

Now reappointed as the Canada Research Chair in Economy and Environment, Dr. Tienhaara will continue her studies in the role played by governments in tackling climate change.

Her research program will combine theoretical and qualitative approaches to investigate how different stakeholders are pressuring governments to end public finance for the fossil fuel sector and to reduce legal protection for foreign investments in fossil fuel projects under international investment treaties.

"My goal is to conduct an empirical study and interview stakeholders in global arenas where these issues are currently being debated, in order to provide policy advice on the best approaches to re-risking fossil fuel investments," she says.

Learn more about Queen’s success in the recent $40M federal government research announcement.

Note: This article originally appeared in the Queen's Gazette.