At the Lassonde School of Engineering, we share a bold vision: to be recognized among the world’s best interdisciplinary engineering schools, where engineers and scientists collaborate to improve the world for everyone. This Strategic Research and Innovation Plan (SRIP) reflects our roadmap for how we’ll get there — and more importantly, how you can be part of it. If you’re a faculty member or researcher, this plan highlights the opportunities, supports, and partnerships available to help your work reach new audiences and create greater impact. For our industry, government, and community partners, it’s a window into how collaboration with Lassonde can spark innovation, translate research into real-world solutions, and provide access to the next generation of talent. And for those considering joining us, it’s an invitation to see the kind of ambitious, interdisciplinary research culture you could be part of.
Our strength lies in our ability to connect — across disciplines, across sectors, and across borders. Partnerships are central to this mission. They enable us to co-create solutions to pressing challenges, foster innovation, and ensure that research at Lassonde is relevant and impactful. These collaborations also give our students invaluable experiential learning opportunities, preparing them to lead in a rapidly evolving world.
Research visibility is another cornerstone of this plan. Sharing our work widely — through publications, conferences, media, and community engagement — ensures that our discoveries don’t just sit on shelves but influence policy, inspire others, and shape the future. Our Research Support Office, communications team, and institutional partners play a vital role in amplifying that visibility.
At Lassonde, students are at the heart of our research enterprise. From undergraduate research awards to graduate training programs integrated with industry, we are committed to mentorship, opportunity, and inclusion. We want every student — regardless of background — to have access to the tools, networks and support they need to succeed.
Of course, research excellence is our foundation. You’ll see it in the quality of our publications, the competitiveness of our grants, the calibre of our partnerships, and the world-class facilities that facilitate our work. From the Canadian Planetary Simulator to our High-Performance Computing Cluster, our infrastructure supports cutting-edge research across a wide range of fields. Our five strategic research themes — spanning manufacturing, AI, space, health, and foundational sciences — position Lassonde to lead in areas of national and global importance.
As you read through this plan, I encourage you to think about how it connects to your own goals and how we might work together. The SRIP is more than a document — it’s a shared promise to push boundaries, challenge conventions, and engineer a better future, together.
Jane Goodyer
Dean, Lassonde School of Engineering
York University