Dr. Suzanne Kearns
Founding Director
Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics
It is the greatest honour of my career to serve as the Founding Director of the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA). WISA was established in 2021 as a Senate-approved research institute at the University of Waterloo, with direct support from the Faculties of Environment, Science, Engineering, Health, Mathematics, and Arts.
Witnessing the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the air transport sector—on top of long-standing environmental, social, and economic challenges—the drive behind the creation of WISA was to mobilize innovative research capacity at the University of Waterloo.
In my role as an Associate Professor at the University of Waterloo, I am continually struck by the research innovations and talents of my colleagues from wide-ranging disciplines—many of whom work in areas directly applicable to major challenges in aeronautics.
Critical sustainability challenges will require the identification and application of evidence-based solutions. WISA seeks to work directly with industry and government partners, to conduct research towards these solutions.
"WISA was created to drive meaningful and sustainable change within aviation and aerospace industries. We are excited to build partnerships to unlock new possibilities, seeking a more sustainable future for the air transport sectors and its professionals."
In addition, we want to prioritize engaging the next generation of professionals. We envision supporting professional certificate, undergraduate, and graduate educational opportunities as the institute grows.
WISA was created to drive meaningful and sustainable change within the aviation, aerospace, and space industries. We are excited to build partnerships to unlock new possibilities, seeking a more sustainable future for the air transport sector and its professionals.