Societal Futures

Water. One of our planet’s most vital and vulnerable resources is at risk. The increased presence of toxic substances in water, particularly micropollutants, jeopardizes human and environmental health.

To protect water quality for future generations, Dr. Maricor Arlos and her team at the University of Waterloo’s Arlos Research Lab in the Faculty of Engineering, are studying the journey of micropollutants in urban water cycles and developing solutions to mitigate their harmful impact.

Hoang Do
Undergraduate student, Faculty of Environment
> Co-op and experiential Education

Growing up in Vietnam, Hoang Do was interested in economic development in developing countries, and the need to combine economic considerations with environmental issues.

Mark Schaan (BA ’02)
Alum, Political Science
Faculty of Arts
> Associate Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere — hailed as a revolution, feared as a disruption, but ultimately defined by how thoughtfully we choose to use it.

Dr. Laura Middleton, associate professor in Kinesiology and Health Sciences and Schlegel Research Chair in Dementia and Active Living, has helped develop Dementia Capable Communities: new resources aimed at communities to help promote the well-being and independence of those living with dementia.

When it comes to innovation, the University of Waterloo has long stood out — not only for its world-class research and entrepreneurial ecosystem but for a distinctive intellectual property (IP) policy that puts creators in control. This creator-owned IP model fosters an environment for innovation to thrive and has become a catalyst for global conversations about how to empower researchers while driving commercialization responsibly. 

This year brought countless reasons to celebrate as Waterloo students, alumni and researchers took bold new steps to innovate and create solutions for a complex future. 

As we wrap up 2025, we reflect with pride and share just a glimpse of student success, on-campus initiatives and groundbreaking research of our Waterloo community.