Suzanne Kearns

Suzanne Kearns
Associate Professor | Founding & Executive Director, Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA)
Location: ESC 204 or EV1 238

Biography

Suzanne Kearns is an aviation academic with a focus on education and improving pilot performance. Her research explores how to optimize the next generation of aviation professionals (NGAP) by analyzing processes to attract people to the field of aviation. An accomplished educator both in the classroom and through electronic courseware, she has taught thousands of aviation professionals worldwide. She is a former airplane and helicopter pilot and is internationally recognized within the aviation industry.

Kearns is the author or co-author of six books, including the textbook “Fundamentals of International Aviation,” which is used around the world in multiple translations. In 2021, she founded the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA), a research institute at the University of Waterloo which she leads as its director. WISA includes more than 150 faculty members and has a mission to become the world’s leading hub for sustainable aeronautical research, technology, and education.

Kearns’ mission is supporting the next generation of aviation professionals and helping them find their place in the aviation industry. She highlights that the global need for professionals is expected to outpace the world’s ability to produce them, creating an urgent need to attract, educate, and retain people. Her research, and leadership at WISA, focuses on connecting expertise to aviation challenges, understanding threats to the long‑term viability of the aviation industry, and ensuring that air transportation system remains reliable, sustainable, and able to function for decades into the future.

Research Interests

  • Aviation education

  • Pilot performance

  • Aviation sustainability

  • Next Generation Aviation Professionals (NGAP)

  • Competency based education

  • Human factors

  • Aviation safety

  • Sustainable aeronautics

Education

  • 2007, Doctorate of Philosophy, Education, Specialization: Instructional Design for Online Learning, Capella University

  • 2002, Master of Science, Human Factors and Systems Engineering, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

  • 2000, Bachelor of Science, Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Aeronautical Science

  • 1998, College Diploma, Helicopter Pilot Flight Program, Canadore College of Applied Arts and Technology

  • Pilot Experience:

  • 1995 – 2002, Commercial Airplane Pilot’s License, Multi-Engine and IFR ratings

  • 1997 – 2002, Commercial Helicopter Pilot’s License

Awards

  • 2024, Esprit de Corps, Top 25 Women in Defense in Canada

  • 2022, Dr. Ian McKenzie Award for Commitment to the University of Waterloo’s Aviation Students

  • 2021, Women’s Executive Network, Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada

  • 2021, University of Waterloo, Distinguished Teacher Award

  • 2019, Northern Lights Aero Foundation, Elsie MacGill Award, Education Category

  • 2018, University Aviation Association, William A. Wheatley Award

  • 2017, Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS), Fellow

Professional Associations

  • Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (Founder & Executive Director)

  • National Research Council – Aerospace (Advisory Committee Member)

  • Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) (Fellow)

Teaching*

  • AVIA 100 - Introduction to Aviation
    • Taught in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
  • AVIA 310 - Human Factors in Aviation
    • Taught in 2021
  • AVIA 417 - Aviation Safety
    • Taught in 2022
  • AVIA 601 - Interdisciplinary Aeronautics
    • Taught in 2022, 2023, 2024

* Only courses taught in the past 5 years are displayed.

Selected/Recent Publications

In The News