Goals & Actions:
- Increase the number and longevity of meaningful partnerships (e.g., with industry, NGOs, and community groups) with tangible outcomes. Lassonde RSO will work with ORUs, other departments, and faculty to encourage and enable collaboration (e.g., by organizing events with current and prospective industry partners to facilitate collaboration with our faculty). Lassonde RSO has data on partnerships that can be enhanced and used to inform and measure success for this goal.
- Increase research visibility. Lassonde RSO will work with the communications team and others to track and promote outcomes and encourage faculty to act where possible, through public engagement, guest lectures at other institutions, or through activities in professional organizations, etc. Success in this goal can be inferred through, for example, reputation scores in university rankings and applications & enrolment numbers.
- Explore new research areas. Fundamental scientific exploration is important, and with each research theme, new branches are possible. Lassonde wants to enhance existing strengths but also encourage new ventures. Lassonde RSO is committed to working with faculty to support or find funding that accommodates this goal (e.g., internally through the Lassonde Innovation Fund and externally through programs like New Frontiers Research Fund – Exploration).
- Strengthening Lassonde’s research culture. We will encourage in-person research seminars, networking events, and conferences. We will also work on ways to engage undergraduate students in research earlier during their studies through a brand-new shadowing program. We encourage researchers and their students to engage in person with students participating in the program.
Lassonde’s strengths are many. We have divided them into five themes, each with subthemes, in which researchers from all four of our departments are working.
Theme 1
An Adaptive Future for Manufacturing, Mobility, & the Built Environment
This theme intersects with much of our daily lives and critical areas of national and global importance. Canada faces great challenges in these areas, and federal and provincial governments are investing to meet the challenges. We anticipate a wealth of funding opportunities, for example, through Tri-Council, Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Ontario Centres for Innovation, and Ontario Research Fund – Research Excellence. Horizon Europe also offers a number of calls for proposals in this area.
Sub Themes:
- Affordable and Sustainable Housing
- Smart Grids, Renewable Energy, Energy Conversion and Storage Technologies
- Electrification, Low Carbon, and Green Technology
- Smart Buildings and Infrastructure
- Advanced Materials
- Safe/Secure, Additive, and Autonomous Manufacturing, and Industry 4.0
- Biomanufacturing
- Indigenous and Community-Driven Solutions for Remote Areas
Theme 2
Human-Centered AI & Digital Transformation
The rapid proliferation of new technology, such as AI, requires research to understand and manage risk, safety, trust, equity, and how to best integrate into our everyday applications (e.g., telecommunications, transportation, infrastructure). As the world becomes more digital and connected, we expect to see continual investment into this theme through Tri-Council, the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), the National Canadian Cybersecurity Consortium, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), the Ontario Research Fund, the Ontario Centres for Innovation, the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), and others. Horizon Europe also offers a number of calls for proposals in this area.
Sub Themes:
- Autonomous Systems, Smart Transportation, and Smart Cities
- Digital Twins and Simulation Technologies
- Reputable AI and Automation for Mobility, Environment, Health, and Education
- Smart Robotics
- AI Safety, Risk Mitigation, Cybersecurity, and Trustworthy Computing
- Generative AI and Synthetic Content Generation
- Next-Generation Communication Networks
- AI & Society, Digital Cultures, and Financial Technologies
Theme 3
Earth & Space Exploration, Sustainability, & Innovation
Climate and environmental challenges often require interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral approaches. The government is meeting this demand through the Tri-Council’s New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) as well as through special NSERC Alliance Missions calls. Environmental projects tend to fit the scope of the NSERC Alliance Society grants. The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is a long-time funder of Lassonde space researchers; Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has funded several pollution-related projects. We expect that these funding opportunities will continue to be launched regularly. Horizon Europe also offers a number of calls for proposals in this area.
Sub Themes:
- Environmental and Space Science
- Space Systems, Robotics, and Cutting-Edge Technologies for Space Exploration
- Advanced Materials for Aerospace and Space Exploration
- Human Factors in Space and Aviation Technologies
- Decarbonization and Environmental Intelligence for a Changing Climate
- Water and Wastewater Management/Sustainability/Security
- Sustainable Resource Extraction, Critical Mineral Recycling, and Waste Reduction
- Mobility Innovation for a Net-Zero Future
Theme 4
The Future of Human Health & Well-Being
Canada is investing in digital health, aging-in-place technologies, and the integration of health data and robotics through the Tri-Council, Health Canada, and CIHR. The Ontario Centres for Innovation has launched a Life Sciences Innovation Fund and has dedicated business developers who connect Ontario SMEs to university researchers. Lassonde co-hosts two industry networking events for this program each year. With the Faculties of Science and Health, we leverage our expertise and host events for industry partners (active and prospective) to foster collaboration. York University is expected to open a School of Medicine in 2027. By building our portfolio in medical technologies and bioengineering, we will be ready to partner with researchers from the School of Medicine and apply for larger grants in the medical field, such as CIHR. Horizon Europe also offers a number of calls for proposals in this area.
Sub Themes:
- Medical Robotics, Mobility, and Assistive Technologies
- Digital Health and Telemedicine Innovations
- Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
- Predictive Diagnostics and Health Informatics for Personalized Medicine
- Smart Wearables and Biosensors for Health Monitoring
- Health Equity in Technological Innovations
Theme 5
Foundational Engineering, Computer, & Physical Sciences
Fundamental and foundational science (e.g., engineering, environmental and space science, and computer science) is an important and necessary segment of Lassonde’s research. These core areas not only drive technological innovation and discovery but also provide the essential building blocks for interdisciplinary collaboration and applied research. By advancing knowledge in these foundational domains, Lassonde fosters a robust ecosystem for solving complex global challenges and preparing the next generation of researchers and innovators.
