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University of Waterloo

Research in the Faculty of Environment

Professor in lab coat showing a specimen to a student, who is also wearing a lab coat.

From its inception, the Faculty of Environment has engaged in scholarship that addresses important environmental and societal issues. Our research is integrative in nature, drawing on concepts, theories, methods and substantive knowledge in the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities.

As such, we are uniquely positioned to help solve the complex sustainability challenges facing the world today (see Faculty of Environment's 2013-18 Strategic Plan). The aim of our research is to measure, monitor and understand natural and human environmental systems, and to create, inform and strengthen robust environmental policy for strong environmental sustainability and governance.

We have a broad range of research activities:

Governance and society

Local and regional economic development, policy and planning
Environmental governance and public policy
Sustainable energy systems and technologies
Sustainable community development
Urban design and planning
Sustainable tourism
Transportation and mobility
Economics and politics of food systems

Cross-cutting research

Climate change
Water resources
Industrial ecology
Geographic information science
Environmental theory and complex systems
Land use and land cover change
Environmental monitoring and assessment
Integrated regional analyses
International development
Environment and health

Natural environmental science

Weather and global climate science
Hydrology of watershed science
Cryospheric science
Biogeosciences of watershed systems
Soil science
Ecosystem and biodiversity science
Natural habitat management

For additional information about research at the Faculty of Environment, contact: Amelia Clarke, Associate Dean of Research.