New constellation of academic stars headed to University of Toronto

In a “big win for Canada,” the University of Toronto is further strengthening its academic ranks with three top researchers from U.S. universities whose work ranges from the search for new planets to the economics of powering our own.

The acclaimed new faculty members are astrophysicist and U of T alum Sara Seager, innovation and energy economics scholar Jacquelyn Pless and economics expert Mark Duggan, who will head the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy.

All three will join U of T for the start of the 2026-27 academic year.

U of T President Melanie Woodin said the university is intensifying its efforts to recruit the world’s leading faculty – part of its broader strategy to advance its world-class research and scholarship – and there will be more announcements in the months to come.

“At a time when the value of scientific inquiry is contested and the importance of scholarly expertise questioned, the University of Toronto is a place where great minds still have the freedom to go where their curiosity takes them,” said U of T President Melanie Woodin.

“Our world is facing big problems, but U of T can make a big difference in finding solutions – and we need the brightest minds of our time, from across Canada and around the world, to help us meet this moment. 

“This is a big win for Canada.”

U of T’s global talent strategy aligns with its broader vision to support research excellence at all stages, including the recent launch of an emergency research fund to assist U of T faculty who were impacted by new restrictions on U.S. funding streams for international partnerships and a program to attract 100 more postdoctoral researchers from around the world. 

While the university has been pursuing its strategy independently, the initiative is in step with broader national priorities, as reflected by Canada’s recent $1.7-billion commitment in last week’s federal budget to attract top global research talent. 

Story by Rahul Kalvapalle