2022-23 Sustainability in Research Progress
Discover what Concordia is doing to achieve its 2025 sustainability in research targets.
ADVANCE INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES IN SUSTAINABILITY
Target
- Develop a framework to support interdisciplinary sustainability research at Concordia
Status
- In progress
In the 2021-22 academic year, a formal proposal for the creation of a sustainability research incubator was developed by members of the sustainability research community.
In parallel, a 17 rooms exercise was facilitated as part of a voluntary university review; a process of determining how best to maximize the universities impact and engagement in alignment with the sustainability development goals.
These conversations led to the development of the Research Impact Pathways project. The Pathways Project is a framework for a shared institutional vision of research impact that supports multiple pathways to impact by leveraging existing and enhanced resources and expertise through cross-unit collaboration and cooperation.
Taking an iterative approach to planning and creation, the research impact pathways project is currently in its infancy stages but so far has received support from the academic cabinet, and support from the research community in addition to units across the university such as the university library, the Office of Community Engagement, University Communication Services, District 3 & Balsam, and the 4th Space.
Efforts supporting this target
Ongoing programs that encourage students and faculty in multiple disciplines or academic programs to conduct sustainability research
Sustainability focused research centres: Loyola Sustainability Research Centre, Concordia Institute of Water, Energy and Sustainable Systems, Next-Generation Cities Institute, Social Justice Centre and Centre for Zero Energy Building Studies
INCREASE INSTITUTIONAL INCENTIVES AND SUPPORT
Target
- Increase financial and operational support for faculty and students engaged in sustainability research
Status
- Ongoing
Efforts supporting this target
Concordia sustainability research funding programs such as Sustainability Living Lab Funding Program, Sustainable Transitions Team Research Initiative program, Sustainability Research Awards Program, Capstone SDG Impact Award
Hiring of a Sustainability Research Coordinator in VPRGS to provide operational support for faculty and students engaged in sustainability research
All sustainability research grant applications/competitions receive the support of the Office of Research via ConRAD
Calls to action
Are you a mixed team of students, faculty or staff working on a project related to Concordia’s Sustainability Action Plan? Apply to the Sustainability Living Lab Funding Program
Apply for a Sustainability Research Award
Apply for Capstone SDG Impact Award
ENHANCE RESEARCH IMPACT
Target
- Promote and enhance Concordia research to enrich local, Canadian, and International communities
Status
- Ongoing
Aid to Research Related Events (ARRE)
Total funding for ARRE provided in 2022-23: $181,431
Total number of events that benefitted: 42
Total number of sustainability related events that benefitted: 18
Efforts supporting this target
Through the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Graduate Studies (OVPRGS) there is an Aid to Research-Related Events (ARRE) funding program. The objective of the program is to stimulate exchange and transfer of knowledge as well as support visibility and outreach initiatives as diverse as workshops, conference, lectures, visiting scholars/artists, publications, and exhibitions
Updates to Next-Gen Explore that include integrating faculty researcher-related sustainability data
The Coordinator of Sustainability in Research is working on a project to coordinate and support connections between sustainability researchers and CEGEPs
A discussion about the recognition of alternative metrics of research impact for hiring and promotion will be part of the Research Impact Pathways project
Each year, the Loyola Sustainability Research Centre and the Loyola College for Diversity and Sustainability host a free cross-disciplinary sustainability conference featuring student and faculty research around a different environmental theme
Concordia’s 4TH SPACE regularly collaborates with Concordia sustainability researchers and promotes their research through hosting experiential learning activities like interactive installations, research-creation experiences, workshops, and public talks
Calls to Action
Apply to the biannual ARRE funding competition
Attend the Loyola College for Diversity and Sustainability cross-disciplinary sustainability conference
Check out 4TH SPACE’s programming to find the next sustainability research event
ESTABLISH AND PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE RESEARCH PRACTICES
Target
- Monitor and reduce the ecological footprint of research, dissemination, and related activities conducted on and off campus
Status
- Ongoing
Efforts supporting this target
The Office of Sustainability is coordinating a Fly Less campaign inspired by the policy that was created by the Department of Geography, Planning & Environment. Two workshops on the topic were given in 2022-23 and were targeted to university faculty and staff.
A project to produce guidelines detailing best sustainable research practices at Concordia is currently underway, spearheaded by the OVPRGS. A collaboration with the Faculty of Arts and Science
to develop guidelines surrounding the research practices of lab work has been initialized and is currently in a brainstorming phase.In 2022-23, the Office of Sustainability launched a Sustainable Event Certification program. The program is intended to help all Concordians host more socially and environmentally sustainable events. Many Concordia research events have availed of the program. Work is underway to incorporate the Sustainability Event Guide into the ARRE application criteria.
Sustainability Living Lab Funding Program projects such as the MATTEReality: Sustainable Studios, Solvent Recovery Initiative and the Engineering Design & Manufacturing Lab Library of Parts.
Calls to Action
Have research equipment that you won't use anymore? Fill out this form so that your equipment can be put to use elsewhere at Concordia through the equipment (asset) reuse program.
Sign the Flying Less Concordia Pledge
Organizing a research-related event? Check out the Sustainable Event Certification program
Related Sustainable Development Goal
