Societal Futures

Chris Houser, Sir Richard Roberts and Donna Stickland on a stage

For years, you've been warned about "Frankenfoods" lurking in your grocery store, but what if everything you thought you knew about GMOs (genetically modified organism) was wrong? Despite overwhelming scientific consensus on their safety and benefits, genetically modified foods remain one of the most unfairly villainized innovations in modern agriculture.

Real Research co-founder, Ria Menon, teaching undergraduate students how to work in a laboratory

University of Waterloo researchers and graduate students strive to uncover new solutions to today’s complex challenges.

African farmers examining Safi's portable pasteurization device

Miraal Kabir explaining to African farmers how Safi works

Congested Toronto traffic in the summer with gradient filter on the top right corner of the image

Survivors of the Nova Scotia Home for Colored Children standing in front of the Home

When Dr.

Rodney Chan standing on the ION platform with train behind him

Rodney Chan wearing Grand River Transit's pride t-shirt and working on his laptop

Geometric shapes representing the five Global Futures elements

Humanity is in a transformational period in history resulting in challenges that have never before been faced. Bold and curious pioneers are needed to find solutions that are acceptable, workable and scalable. Those who are willing to think differently, ask questions and challenge the status quo.

Dr. Lai-Tze Fan
Professor, Sociology and Legal Studies
> Canada Research Chair in Technology and Social Change
> U&AI Lab

Digital technologies play an integral role in our everyday lives, and since the rapid growth shows no signs of slowing down, Dr. Lai-Tze Fan cautions about the many invisible aspects to the technologies we use.

Dr. Talena Atfield
Professor, History
> Canada Research Chair, Tentewatenikonhra'khánion

Dr. Talena Atfield’s work to restore and regenerate Hodinohso:ni cultural knowledges starts with the title of her Canada Research Chair: Tentewatenikonhra’khánion, which translates to “We Will Put Our Minds Together.”

Dr. Leia Minaker
Professor, School of Planning
> Future Cities Institute

Cities drive the global economy and are home to vibrant and diverse communities. Yet they’re also facing complex challenges. From rising housing costs and aging infrastructure to climate change, the disruptive impacts of technology and an aging population, the need to address overlapping issues has never been higher.

Societal Futures

Debunking myths about GMOs

Getting more undergrad students into the lab

Safi brings profits back to local farmers while ensuring consumer safety

Math modelling shows how human behaviour and climate are interconnected

Championing reconciliation with the help of virtual reality

A champion for transit equity

Stepping into a bold future

Uncovering the invisible side of tech

Tentewatenikonhra’khánion

New institute helps local governments build better cities