Research
Our identity as a department is rooted in research excellence. To that end our faculty and graduate students work to better understand how our actions impact the natural and built-world around us and how, in turn, these changes shape us
Overview
Research is an essential facet of what we do within our department because we recognize how vital it is to:
- Drive the development of evidence-based solutions to pressing environmental and societal challenges.
- Encourage creativity and foster innovation through interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Provide students with hands-on experience and critical thinking skills that are cornerstones of the scientific method of discovery.
Accordingly, our department supports a robust research program that covers a wide range of interests, expertise and disciplines in such areas as:
- Climate change and biodiversity loss
- Natural resource management and sustainability
- Environmental impact assessment, protection and conservation
- Housing and community development
- Carbon and climate mitigation
- Urban and regional planning
Labs and field-research facilities
Our department is home to numerous research and teaching labs, field-research facilities and additional facilities that allow us to continue developing and growing our research programs. They include the:
Concordia's Library of curated online research
Concordia University Library's Spectrum Research Repository is an open-access repository established to preserve and centralize access to research created at Concordia.
As such, it allows Concordia scholars to provide immediate access to their work at no charge; which increases the visibility of their own research and that showcases the University's intellectual output. What's more, the Repository is an invaluable resource of curated information that gives students access to other types of research, which may be relevant to their own work.
Dedicated on-campus research facilities
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) lab
The Geographical Information Systems (GIS) lab is a 46-seat, state-of-the-art geographic information systems teaching and individual-study computer lab that is available for both graduate and undergraduate students to use.
Computers run the latest version of ArcGis and QGIS, as well as programs for remote sensing and image editing.
Note: Although students may use the lab's facilities either in-person or during after-hours, professors who have a scheduled lab course are given priority access during their scheduled course times.
To access the GIS lab
To access the GIS lab you may do so in-person on a first-come, first-served basis. Alternatively, you may use the lab after-hours, provided you have applied for and received an electronic access card, also called a Prox Card. NB. After September 2025, new student ID cards can be programmed to open electronic doors (a separate door card is no longer required).
- Open and staffed Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weekend and after-hours access is by GPE Prox Card Request Form.
- The lab is closed on statuatory holidays.
To use the lab:
You are permitted to use a lab computer during the scheduled weekday times for other courses.
- We ask that you please just quietly enter the lab and use the available computer that's closest to the door.
- In-person access is restricted during scheduled labs. In such situations, the professor or instructor has priority to the lab space, facilities and resources.
- Should you wish to verify if the lab is available before going to campus, please call the lab attendant at 514-848-2424, ext. 5478.
Getting started
Get your Concordia Campus Card (student ID). It serves as both your student ID and your building access card.:
- Don't have a Campus Card yet? Visit Card Services to obtain one.
- Completing the GPE Prox Card Request Form.
- Unsure if your current Concordia ID card is a valid Campus card?
- If it was issued on or after September 2025 then it's a Campus Card
- If it was issued before September 2025 and you now require access privileges, please exchange it at Card Services for a Campus Card at no cost.
For any questions regarding the GIS lab
Please email Marco Burelli or call him at 514-848-2424, ext. 2060.
Additional facilities
Along with the Geographical Information Systems lab, we have several specialized labs, seminar rooms and teaching classrooms, which includes a dedicated Urban Planning and Design studio.
- Seminar room with video conferencing – H-1269-3
- Avrum Miller and Louise Singer Reading Room – H-1254
- Seminar room – H-1252
- Urban Planning and Design studio – ER-1442.15
- Geology Classroom – H-1271