About
Massey College
Massey College was established in 1963 as a gift from the Massey Foundation to the University of Toronto, with a mission to “nourish learning and serve the public good.” Its motto, Sapere Aude—“dare to know, dare to be wise”—reflects this enduring commitment.
Massey College fosters an environment that supports the next generation of thinkers while drawing on the strength of an interdisciplinary, intergenerational, and inclusive community. Through this collective intellectual life, the College seeks to advance knowledge in service of the public good.
The Fellowship of Massey College, together with Quadrangle Society Members and alumni, is encouraged to engage with the pressing issues of a rapidly changing world. By bringing cross-cultural perspective, ethical leadership, and collaborative insight to their respective fields, members of the Massey community work toward addressing the complex challenges facing society today.
The College provides residence for up to 60 graduate students and serves as an intellectual home for up to 70 non-resident Junior Fellows, recognized for their exceptional promise and engagement both within academia and beyond. The broader Massey community includes more than 500 Senior Fellows, along with Quadrangle Society members, Senior Residents, Writers-in-Residence, Wm. Southam Journalism Fellows, and ten Visiting Fellows from the University of Toronto and other institutions each year.
The Principal
Dr. James Orbinski, OC OOnt MSC is the seventh Principal of Massey College at the University of Toronto, continuing a distinguished legacy of leadership that began with Robertson Davies. An internationally recognized humanitarian and pioneer in global health, Dr. Orbinski brings decades of frontline experience, intellectual leadership, and an unwavering commitment to the public good.
Dr. Orbinski accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of Médecins Sans Frontières in 1999, in recognition of the organization’s humanitarian work. He was also awarded the Meritorious Service Cross for his service during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. His career has been defined by work in some of the world’s most challenging crisis zones, advocating for equitable access to healthcare and human dignity.
A leading figure in global health innovation, Dr. Orbinski is the founding director of the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research and a co-founder of both the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative and Dignitas International. His work and experiences have been widely documented, including in the award-winning film Triage and his best-selling memoir, An Imperfect Offering.
In addition to his role at Massey College, Dr. Orbinski is a professor in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, and the Dalla Lana School of Public Health. His leadership reflects Massey College’s enduring mission to cultivate learning, ethical leadership, and thoughtful dialogue in service to the public good.
