Laurentian houses, and is affiliated with numerous research centers, facilities and institutes that contribute to the knowledge base of the University, and North-eastern Ontario.
These centers support a range of basic and applied research activities across various disciplines.
Procedure for establishing research centres on campus
Association francophone pour le savoir (ACFAS), Sudbury Section
The regional (Northern Ontario) section of ACFAS-Sudbury is based at Laurentian University. ACFAS-Sudbury facilitates various activities: regional conferences, funding, publications, etc. Over the past few years, ACFAS has
assisted many promising francophone students.
The Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit (CFEU)
The CFEU provides research opportunities in the fields of restoration ecology, environmental science, and aquatic resource management, for undergraduate and graduate students, and provides an education program that benefits students, government, and the general public.
Current areas of study include restoration ecology, climate change, endangered fish species rehabilitation, zooplankton and fish community interactions in acid-stressed lakes, the effects of exploitation on game fish, the effects of habitat loss on salmonid reproduction, impact of invasive species, and sampling methods for fish and invertebrate communities.
The Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit is now one of the largest aquatic science research, training and employment sites in Ontario with programs involving up to 50 contract staff and students per year and an annual budget of over $1million.
Centre for Humanities Research and Creativity
The Centre for Humanities Research and Creativity (CHRC) facilitates research and creative projects that bring the academic excellence and artistic capability of the Humanities to both theoretical study and practical application.
To support Laurentian University’s innovative research initiatives, CHRC provides an institutional space for expertise in such fields as cultural studies, education, fine arts, history, languages, literature, music, philosophy and politics to generate research ideas inside the Humanities as well as through interdisciplinary collaborations.
CHRC promotes the engagement of higher learning and cultural development by collaborating with community arts groups and by working in the media arts. As well, CHRC seeks to produce and communicate knowledge resulting from an integrated approach to advanced research in the Humanities.
http://142.51.14.1/Laurentian/Home/Departments/Centre+for+Humanities+Research+and+Creativity/CHRC+Home+Page.htm?Laurentian_Lang=en-CA
Centre in Mining Materials Research (CIMMR)
The goal of CIMMR is to promote and enhance interdisciplinary materials science research/education and its interfaces with all aspects of the mining and mineral industries. The centre has a mandate to source technical/scientific expertise and information to mining/mineral industries and allied small/medium enterprises.
Towards this end, CIMMR also hosts seminars, workshops, and conferences related to minerals science and the mining industry.
Major areas of focus by faculty working under the aegis of the centre include: advanced materials for optimizing mining processes and environmental controls (absorbents and coatings), characterization of mining materials (structural, rheological and surface analysis of minerals, products and solid wastes), separation science (ore flotation, solid/solution waste treatment), and mineral process engineering (simulation, reactor design, metallurgy).
Centre for Research in Human Development (CRHD)
The CRHD is an interdisciplinary research centre that supports a range of basic and applied research activities across nine academic units (Psychology, Sociology, Human Movement, Social Work, Native Studies, Commerce and Administration, Nursing, Geology and Philosophy).
Major research initiatives within the Centre include: well-being of seniors; environmental ethics and decision-making; transition from school to work; Native youth; youth at risk (drop-outs; in care); in-body changes during growth; development of emotions; neuropsychological development; social-relational development; family and socialization; science career choices; youth and environment; integration of services and devolution of control; outcome assessment and evaluation of services.
The Centre provides infrastructure support for the M.A. in Child and Development Studies. Developmental activities have moved the CRHD directly into an applied research framework within three major sectors of human services: social services; education; and health. This provides students with the opportunity of pursuing policy-oriented research during their degree.
Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH)
The purpose of The Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health is to eliminate or mitigate the impact of workplace injuries and diseases by providing a forum for industry, safe workplace associations, labor groups, government organizations and researchers to share workplace injury and disease problems and solutions. Also, the centre seeks to provide faculty and graduate students of Laurentian University and other affiliated organizations, access to technical assistance and administrative support in a setting that serves as a conduit for education, research and economic development opportunities.
Centre for Research in Social Justice and Policy (CRSJP)
In May, 2009 Laurentian University’s Senate approved the creation of the CRSJP.
The CRSJP, directed by Dr. Carol Kauppi, Associate Professor in the School of Social Work, and Dr. Gary Kinsman, Professor in the Department of Sociology, supports research about a wide range of issues pertaining to social justice. The aim of such research is to inform social policy, enhance social inclusion and promote social justice.
The CRSJP brings together researchers, professors, students, policy makers and practitioners to participate in a dialogue on social issues of fundamental importance to the community and to societal development in north eastern Ontario, and more broadly across Canada or globally. It seeks to produce original research and innovative policy ideas to help build a just, democratic and sustainable world.
Researchers involved with the CRSJP are from diverse backgrounds including social work, sociology, labour studies, history, economics, political science, law and justice, psychology, nursing, women’s studies, Native studies, geography and philosophy.
The CRSJP is in the process of establishing a community advisory committee and invites individuals and organizations to participate.
For further information about the Centre for Research in Social Justice and Policy, please contact Dr. Carol Kauppi at (705) 675-1151, ext. 5058 or ckauppi@laurentian.ca.
For information about the forum on Mining Companies and Soil Pollution, please contact Dr. Gary Kinsman at (705) 675-1151, ext. 4221 or gkinsman@laurentian.ca
Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research (CRaNHR)
CRaNHR is a conjoint research centre based at Laurentian University and Lakehead University. CRaNHR works in partnership with the healthcare community and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Its mandate is to conduct interdisciplinary research on population health, health workforce and healthcare issues, with a view to achieving a better understanding of health conditions, particularily in rural and northern areas. CRaNHR is one of very few research institutes in Canada with a focus on rural health issues.
Working under the auspices of CRaNHR and with the support of CRaNHR research staff, investigators from various faculties at Laurentian University conduct studies on the management, organization and effectiveness of rural health services, as well as on the training, distribution and utilization of healthcare providers. Established in 1992, the research centre has conducted many studies and published many articles on issues ranging from community-based healthcare to geographic variations in health status to mental health services.
Centre for
Evaluating Children's Health Outcomes / ECHO Research Centre
ECHO is a research group dedicated to the study of health and health-related quality of life issues in children and young adults. The group is comprised of innovative faculty at Laurentian University who share a common interest in improving the health of children through research.
Elliot Lake Research Field Station (ELRFS)
Located in Elliot Lake, Ontario, the Analytical Services Laboratory of the Elliot Lake Research Field Station was established in 1992. The initial work of the laboratory was to support research into the effects of low-level radioactivity on the environment resulting from regional uranium mine waste tailings.
Building on this solid base, the laboratory began providing analytical services in support of local decommissioning and environmental monitoring programs in the region. The laboratory currently provides a wide range of inorganic and radionuclide analytical services to private industry in support of soil / manure / plant / animal tissue analysis, effluent treatment plant operations, and environmental effects monitoring and research.
ELRFS is ISO 17025 accredited by the Canadian Association of Environmental Analytical Laboratories (CAEAL) for specific environmental tests listed in the Scope of Accreditation. Accreditation is the formal recognition of the competence of a laboratory to achieve and demonstrate the highest levels of scientific and management excellence through the combined principles of Competence, Consistency, Credibility and Communication.
CAEAL member laboratories voluntarily participate in rigorous programs of proficiency testing and accreditation, demonstrating their commitment to generate high quality data. The Elliot Lake Research Field Station is an affiliated research centre of MIRARCO.
Geomechanics Research Centre (GRC)
The GRC is located in the heart of the Canadian mining industry on the Laurentian University campus. This unique location allows the GRC to act as a field base, as much of the research is conducted within the mines of northern Ontario and Quebec.
The GRC is engaged in applied research in the field of rock mechanics and ground control. Current research, in cooperation with the Canadian industry, includes: support of mining excavation in hard rock, mechanized rock excavation, support of bursting ground, Geomechanics of deep mining, risk-cost benefit analysis and use of micro-seismic observations for mine design.
Institut Franco-Ontarien (IFO)
Established in 1976 by francophone researchers from Laurentian, the Institut Franco-Ontarien's objectives are to produce research and publications, organize colloquia and conferences and gather documentation on the various aspects Franco-Ontarian population. The institute’s research projects are funded through grants and contracts. Its main orientations over the recent years are education, health, third age, and culture and society.
Since1978, the institute has published the Revue du Nouvel Ontario, conference proceedings and reports; it has an established collaboration with Prise de Parole publishing house to help produce books and periodicals on Francophones in Ontario. It assists the J.N. Desmarais library in maintaining the Franco-Ontarian collection. Its members come from across Ontario and from outside the province as well. Every year they elect a board of directors.
Institute of Northern Ontario Research and Development (INORD)
INORD is the research centre at Laurentian specializing in social and economic research for northeastern Ontario. INORD’s user friendly website contains research papers and presentations relevant to regional issues. A feature is a monthly commentary on the release of Statistics Canada employment figures which is widely cited by the media.
INORD’s aim is to promote research cooperation between social science faculty members and public, private and voluntary sector groups in northeastern Ontario (particularly in Sudbury). In many cases, that involves negotiations on a double front: to orient university research to the more practical and to have community decision-making oriented towards a foundation of scientifically based research.
Institute for Sport Marketing (ISM)
Laurentian University’s School of Sports Administration (SPAD) started a unique project in 2001 to analyze Canadian sport, recreation and physical activity funding. Committed to the development of the sport system, Royal Bank Financial Group, Pepsi-QTG, Frito Lay, Toronto Blue Jays, Ottawa Senators, Montreal Alouettes and IMG joined with the federal and Ontario government to support the activities of the Institute for Sport Marketing (ISM). The ISM Founding Partners committed $505,000 plus $75,000 VIK through June 2006 in the initial contract phase.
For more information contact www.spad.ca/laurentian/Home/Departments/School+of+Sports+Administration/ISM
International Centre for Interdisciplinarity Research in Human Sciences (ICIRHS)
The aim of the International Centre for Interdisciplinarity Research in the Human Sciences (ICIRHS) is to facilitate and nurture interdisciplinary research on human beings from a socio-cultural dimension. The Centre uses interdisciplinarity as the tool or method for conducting analysis and research. The Centre is a meeting place for researchers, students and faculty members alike where they can engage in the understanding, development and transformation of socio-cultural dynamics. The Centre also promotes dialogue and research among specialists working in the fields of social sciences and humanities throughout Ontario, elsewhere in Canada and around the world.
International Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Law (ICIRL)
The ICIRL supports and facilitates research at the international level on the relationships between human rights, the rule of law and democracy on the one hand, and cultural diversity on the other hand. The ICIRL is active participant in the ongoing international dialogue on the universality of human rights and their realisation in settings where cultural diversity is the norm. The ICIRL works in an interdisciplinary context with other universities as well as social and political partners and undertakes projects from a North-South perspective, focussing on the relationship between the ideal of the universality of human rights and the practical need to respect cultural diversity.
A better understanding of the factors facilitating the rise of human rights in the western world also allows us to identify cultural factors favouring the implementation of human rights in the non-western world and cultural factors which are obstacle to their implementation. Our study of cultural diversity will also allow us to better understand what parts of human rights which are really only cultural practices.
International Economic Policy Institute (IEPI)
The International Economic Policy Institute is a bilingual, non-partisan, non-profit policy Institute at Laurentian University, Ontario (Canada), which seeks to offer critical thinking on the most relevant economic and social policies in Canada and around the world. In particular, the institute’s mission is to explore themes related to macroeconomic policies, globalization and development issues, and income distribution and employment policies. Our overall concern is with the social and economic dignity of the human being and his/her role within the larger global community.
We believe that everyone has a right to decent work, to a fair and equitable income and to equal opportunities to pursue one’s self-fulfillment. We strongly believe that it is the role of policies and institutions to guarantee these rights.
In accordance with its mission, the Institute is constantly seeking to create international research networks by hosting conferences and seminars and inviting other thinkers around the globe to reflect on crucial economic and social issues. The Institute offers ongoing, honest, and critical appraisal of current policies.
Laurentian University Mining Automation Laboratory (LUMAL)
LUMAL was established in 1993. It is supported by the School of Engineering and by the Department of Mines Technology of INCO Limited.
LUMAL has several educational and research objectives such as to enhance and support teaching in mining automation/robotics and in the application of new technologies in the mining sector. From a research standpoint LUMAL strives to provide research expertise in mining automation and to develop strong industrial links with Canadian companies focusing on new mining technologies.
The Laurentian University Mining Automation Laboratory has many academic partners including the University of British Columbia, University of Western Ontario, the Mining Systems Simulation Unit (MSSLab), the Technical University of Lulea, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and Materials and Manufacturing
Ontario (MMO). This laboratory also has many industrial partners such as INCO Limited, Falconbridge Limited, Sandvik-Tamrock Canada Inc., Boart Canada Inc., Williams Operating Corporation, Rainbow Concrete Industries Limited and Aitik Mine, Boliden Mineral AB of Sweden.
Mineral Exploration Research Centre (MERC)
MERC is a semi-autonomous research centre at Laurentian University that is affiliated with the Department of Earth Sciences.
The Mineral Exploration Research Centre has several objectives which include promoting collaborative university-government-industry research on mineral deposits and Precambrian geology, pursuing a fundamental understanding of mineral deposits and their geological settings, aiding the Canadian mining industry in the discovery of ore deposits and training geologists in mineral exploration research techniques.
To achieve these objectives, MERC undertakes industry-identified and internally-generated fundamental and applied research on mineral deposits and Precambrian geology, characterizes mineral deposits and their host rocks, country rocks and alteration haloes at regional district, and local scales using modern geological and geochemical methods, develops geological and geochemical tools to aid industry in area selection, district selection, and deposit location , develops improved geological and genetic model for mineral deposits in order to better understand their origin and distribution, communicates research findings to industry, government, and the scientific community and contributes to the training of academic and industry researchers and students through teaching programs in the Department of Earth Sciences and through workshops and short courses
The Mining Innovation, Rehabilitation and Applied Research Corporation (MIRARCO)
MIRARCO was founded in 1998 and is a not-for-profit applied research and technical service company formed through collaboration between Laurentian University and the private and public sectors. Since then it has grown rapidly, expanding its research expertise in new technologies such as virtual reality and ground penetrating radar.
With its expansion, MIRARCO has grown from the Geomechanics Research Centre (GRC), to a full team with expertise in ground support, environmental mining (Centre for Environmental Monitoring), mine modeling and simulation and innovative new technologies (Centre for Mining Technology).
MIRARCO promotes mining innovation and provides a bridge between researchers and industry. The result is a long list of clients and collaborators who have experienced the benefits of researching with MIRARCO. Please consult http://laurentian.ca:81/Laurentian/Home/Departments/MIRARCO for more information.
Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO)
The Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO), the Canadian-led international scientific project sited 2 km underground in INCO's Creighton mine is commonly referred to as Canada’s Eye on the Universe. This $100 million international astrophysics project has birthed extraordinary research and scientific achievements and has put Ontario on the map of global innovation.
SNO provides Canada with a permanent, first-rate facility for underground scientific research that is connected by ORION to research partners both provincially and globally. This international team of over 130 researchers has confirmed our understanding of how energy is produced in the sun and has found new properties of neutrinos that change the laws of physics at the most elemental level.