2026 Global Futures: Innovation Update
Defying convention to shape our global futures
Defying convention to shape our global futures
By Vivek Goel President and Vice-Chancellor
Dr. Vivek Goel
President and vice-chancellor, University of Waterloo
At the University of Waterloo, we ask bold questions and embrace risks. Our unconventional spirit fosters innovation and seeks solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.
By imagining new Global Futures, we are aligning our academic and research strengths with five interconnected futures for humanity. Our faculty, staff, students and alumni are developing solutions that cut across society, health, the environment, technology and the economy. These futures guide our work and inspire collaboration across disciplines and industries, enabling us to make meaningful, sustainable impact.
Waterloo has bold ambitions for the impact we will make in the world based on excellence in foundational research and basic science. Whether it’s building the world’s first open-source quantum computer, leading climate and AI research and policies for Canada or nurturing the next generation of health and STEM leaders, Waterloo is challenging the status quo.
I invite you to read these inspiring stories of the Waterloo researchers, entrepreneurs and changemakers who are defying convention and leading innovation to shape our global futures.

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An ambitious research collaboration with Habitat for Humanity is reimagining home ownership across Waterloo Region and Canada

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And a new model for how quantum research is shared — opening doors for the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs

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Dr. Heather Keller discusses the need to transform mealtimes in Canada’s long-term care homes from a service to a meaningful form of care
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.