Martin Taylor

Martin Taylor is Professor of Geography at the University of Victoria, a position he has held since 1998. He is also adjunct professor in the School of Geography and Earth Sciences at McMaster University, and in the School of Public Health and Health Systems at the University of Waterloo. From 2007-2012, he served as President and CEO of Ocean Networks Canada, the not-for-profit agency responsible for the management and development of the VENUS and NEPTUNE Canada ocean observatory programs, and the Ocean Networks Centre for Enterprise and Engagement.

Before assuming this position, Dr. Taylor was for nine years (1998 to 2007) the University of Victoria’s first Vice-President Research. He was directly accountable to the President and Board of Governors for the major research platforms established at the university, including the VENUS and NEPTUNE Canada ocean observatories, and the national proteomics centre supported by Genome Canada and Genome BC. He had executive responsibility for the university’s 15 interdisciplinary research centres. Prior to his appointment at the University of Victoria, Dr. Taylor served from 1974 to 1998 on the faculty at McMaster University, where his responsibilities included: Chair of Geography (1991 to 1997); Founding Director of the Institute of Environment and Health (1990 to 1996); and Acting VP Research (1994 to 1995). He holds a BA (Hons. Geography) from Bristol University and an MA and PhD in Geography from the University of British Columbia.

Dr. Taylor has had extensive governance experience including as: a member of the federal Council of Science and Technology Advisors; a member of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Board; a board member and chair of the finance committee of TRIUMF; a board member and chair of the Michael Smith Health Research Foundation; a board member and chair of the NSERC Canadian Healthy Ocean Strategic Network; and as board chair of the Innovation and Development Corporation, University of Victoria’s IP management and technology transfer organization. He is the author of two books and over 100 peer-reviewed publications in the field of environmental and community health.

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