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Structure & organization

The Western University Military Medicine Research Group operates as a virtual and lean structure, carrying none of the administrative cost or risk profile of a full institute. Its activity draws on existing faculty expertise and externally supported work rather than new base-budget funding, and it does not assume debt, unfunded obligations, or permanent staffing requirements without designated funding.

Although structured as a research group rather than a formal university institute, it delivers institute-level impact: coordinating expertise across Western, deepening partnerships with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Department of National Defence (DND), enabling industry collaboration, and positioning Western as a national centre for military medical research.

Relationship to the Office of Military Academic Medicine

The Research Group operates beside, not inside, Schulich's Office of Military Academic Medicine. The two structures are mutually reinforcing and avoid administrative duplication.

The Office's role is enabling and advisory: it supports CAF members who are faculty, resident trainees, medical students, and undergraduate students at Western, provides a point of contact for CAF, DND, and Schulich Medicine & Dentistry administrative interactions, and advises the Dean and senior leadership on military matters. It remains the natural institutional home for student and trainee support and military academic coordination.

The Research Group's function is scholarly and programmatic: it creates research teams, educational projects, historical work, innovation partnerships, grant applications, and externally funded programs that build on Western's strengths. The Office provides legitimacy, coordination, learner support, and advice; the Group provides research output, educational content, visibility, and partnership opportunities. The Director of the Office is represented in the Research Group's leadership or advisory structure, and the Group coordinates its education and training activity with the Office wherever CAF learner support is involved.

Governance

Director — a senior faculty member responsible for academic leadership, partnerships, and strategic direction.
Office of Military Academic Medicine Liaison — the Director of the Office, or a delegate, ensuring coordination with CAF learner support and Dean's Office advice.
Associate Directors / Stream Leads — responsible for major research areas such as trauma biology, imaging, aviation medicine, stress injury, law and ethics, and history.
Advisory Board — representatives from Western, DND/CAF, clinical partners, industry, law, ethics, aviation, and philanthropy.
Student and Trainee Committee — promotes engagement across programs and faculties.
Annual Report — a summary of grants, publications, partnerships, events, trainees, and impact, prepared for the Dean's Office.