The partnership between HEC Montréal and the University of Oxford gains momentum
New $1 million donation from Lallemand
November 27, 2025
The ties between HEC Montréal and the University of Oxford continue to grow stronger. Over the past year, projects related to this partnership have benefited from a new $1 million donation from Lallemand, bringing its total contribution to $2.5 million.
Launched in 2018 with an exchange scholarship program between HEC Montréal and Oxford, this partnership was made possible thanks to Jean Chagnon’s generous donations. A member of the Conseil des Gouverneurs of the HEC Montréal Foundation and a former student of HEC Montréal and the University of Oxford, Mr. Chagnon has also provided financial support for numerous research projects and initiatives promoting the sharing of knowledge and experience.
Donor Jean Chagnon also wanted to highlight the strength of the partnership in which he plays a key role by hosting a reception at the Mount Royal Club, on November 22. Several graduates, former scholarship recipients, and faculty members from both institutions were in attendance, along with three guests of honour: Baroness Katherine Willis, Professor and Principal of St Edmund Hall; Robert Wilkins, Professor; and Andrew Vivian, Director of Development at St Edmund Hall.
Robert Wilkins, Baroness Katherine Willis, and Jean Chagnon, accompanied by Johanne Turbide, Secretary General of HEC Montréal, and Michel Patry, President and CEO of the HEC Montréal Foundation.
Measuring Beyond
Launched in 2022, this initiative aims to develop knowledge surrounding the measurement of corporate performance based on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. It involves collaboration between the academic communities of HEC Montréal and the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School with the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) in the development of international standards for measuring ESG factors. It also includes the creation of the Chair in Sustainable Finance at HEC Montréal, headed by Iwan Meier. The initiative also gives rise to a major annual conference on sustainable and responsible management of businesses and organizations.
For its part, the scholarship program allows members of the student and research communities, as well as graduates, to take part in exchanges at either university.
Other collaborative projects include:
- Oxford Neuroscience Research (WIN)-Tech3Lab
This joint project brings together Oxford Neuroscience Research (WIN) and the Tech3Lab to advance neurophysiology research through UX approaches. The work focuses in particular on the accessibility of information technology for people with disabilities. The initiative is led by Professors Pierre-Majorique Léger and Sylvain Sénécal (HEC Montréal) and Professor Charlotte Stagg (St Edmund Hall).
- Music Intelligence Database
Led by Professor Danilo Dantas (HEC Montréal) and Professor Kathryn Eccles (Pembroke College), this project uses an exclusive database to analyze major consumer trends in the music industry.
- Early Career Teaching and Research Fellowship
This fellowship program supports the recruitment of a young professor at St Edmund Hall, creating opportunities for ongoing collaboration between the two institutions. Each year, this initiative offers new opportunities for research and mentoring in economics.
Learn more:
Partnership between HEC Montréal and the University of Oxford