The interdisciplinary projects receiving support from the University of Waterloo's inaugural Global Futures Fund were recently announced and include five projects with leadership and expertise from Arts researchers.
The Global Futures Initiatives are intended to catalyze interdisciplinary networks that span faculties, disciplines, campus units and external partnerships – and supports Waterloo’s commitment to shaping the future of humanity and our planet through five interconnected Global Futures: Societal, Health, Sustainable, Technological and Economic.
Congratulations to Dr. Brianna Wiens and Dr. Shana MacDonald, SIGNAL project co-leads, for receiving Global Futures funding, and to the six other Arts researchers who are collaborators on additional projects led by researchers across campus. Learn about the projects:
SIGNAL Network: Strategies for intersectional gender justice
Co-leads: Dr. Brianna Wiens (English), Shana MacDonald (Communication Arts)
SIGNAL is a cross-disciplinary research and action network dedicated to addressing the growing threat of tech-facilitated violence, radicalization, and systemic inequity online. Its central purpose is to build socially just and technologically resilient futures through feminist, queer, anti-racist, and equity-driven approaches. The initiative brings together over 30 researchers and practitioners across faculties, sectors, and countries to foster collaboration, ethical innovation, and inclusive digital transformation.
Acting locally, leading globally with Build Now Waterloo Region
Lead: Dr. Leia Minaker (Planning) | Arts collaborator: Anindya Sen (Economics)
A living lab embedded in North America’s largest affordable home ownership project, this initiative integrates research, education and service to scale sustainable housing solutions. It engages students through capstones, co-op and bootcamps, and partners with the European Network of Living Labs.
The future in motion: Exploring the future of transportation
Lead: Dr. Suzanne Kearns (WISA) | Arts collaborator: Evan Risko (Psychology)
This project fosters innovation in sustainable, safe and equitable transportation through interdisciplinary research, co-op expansion and a Sustainable Transportation Summit.
The future of work: Integrating technology, social infrastructure, ethics and education
Lead: Dr. Edith Law (Computer Science) | Arts collaborators (Lai-Tze Fan (Sociology), Katie Plaisance (Philosophy/Knowledge Integration)
A multidisciplinary institute addressing AI and automation in work environments, this initiative includes research, education pilots and community engagement to shape ethical and inclusive futures of work.
Building Canada’s capacity to address climate change
Lead: Dr. Sarah Burch (Geography and Environmental Management) | Arts collaborators: Blake Phillips, Adam Vitalis (Accounting and Finance)
Through professional training and a new certificate program, this initiative strengthens climate-resilient infrastructure and policy innovation across sectors.