Global Futures Initiatives (GFIs) 1.0
As announced on September 9, 2025, meet the first cohort of Global Futures Initiatives (GFIs) totaling $2.3M in funding. Each GFI consists of an Initiative Lead who has developed an interdisciplinary and cross-functional team of faculty and staff to drive integrated activities across research, education, and service.
Stay tuned for updates that will be made to this page with more details on each GFI including progress snapshots capturing developments and impact.
Acting Locally, Leading Globally with Build Now Waterloo Region: A Living Lab Focused on Affordable Housing Innovation
“A living lab within North America’s largest affordable home ownership project, embedding research, learning, and partnerships to scale sustainable housing solutions.”
Initiative lead: Leia Minaker
The Future in Motion: From Aviation Leadership to Sector-Wide Transportation Sustainability
“Driving innovation in sustainable, safe, and equitable transportation through global research and industry collaboration.”
Initiative lead: Suzanne Kearns
The Future of Work: Integrating Technology, Social Infrastructure, Ethics, and Education
“An interdisciplinary institute dedicated to our changing work environments and to exploring the impact of AI, automation, and hybrid work on society, education, and the economy.”
Initiative lead: Edith Law
Building Canada's Capacity to Address Climate Change - University of Waterloo's National Climate Leadership Centre
“A bold new Climate Leadership Centre, positioning UWaterloo as the national hub for lifelong learning in climate change and sustainability.”
Initiative lead: Sarah Burch
Strategies for Intersectional Gender Justice, Networked Action, and Liberation (SIGNAL) Network
“A cross-disciplinary research and action network dedicated to addressing the growing threat of tech-facilitated violence, radicalization, and systemic inequity online.”
Initiative lead: Brianna I. Wiens
The Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute
"A leading interdisciplinary research institute with a focus on professional training and national collaboration enhancing information security and human privacy."
Initiative lead: N. Asokan
Indigenous Futures Circle
“Where Indigenous communities can dialogue about global challenges and, in collaboration with researchers across the University, advance culturally grounded, future-focused solutions.”
Initiative lead: John Lewis
Creating Canada’s Largest Capstone Ecosystem
“Scaling an integrated, cross-campus capstone ecosystem that connects students with real-world partners to tackle Global Futures challenges.”
Initiative lead: Derek Rayside