Sustainable Transitions Team Research Initiative funds five projects
Concordia is rapidly progressing on its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on a number of fronts.
The Office of Vice-President, Research and Graduate Studies (OVPRGS) recently wrapped up its internal funding competition for the Sustainable Transitions Team Research Initiative, supported by Concordia’s Sustainability Action Plan and the OVPRGS.
The new program provides seed funding, combined with dedicated support and training, for interdisciplinary research team projects that address a major challenge related to one or more of the 17 SDGs.
The five teams chosen were awarded up to $20,000 per grant to support the development of a larger-scale team grant application. All teams include at least one early career researcher and a community partner.
The winning teams are:
- Enhancing biodiversity, social inclusion and climate resilience through informal urban green spaces, led by Amy Poteete, associate professor in the Department of Political Science
- Wool/work for Sustainable and Just Futures, led by Kathleen Vaughan, Concordia University Research Chair in Art and Education for Sustainable and Just Futures (Tier 1)
- Reimagine Chinatown’s Clark Street, led by Ursula Eicker, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Smart, Sustainable and Resilient Communities and Cities
- Photovoltaic Imagination: Solar Strategies for Community Integrated Research-Creation, led by Bart Simon, associate professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology
- Documenting Indigenous Clean Energy Initiative Through Mobile Journalism: Use of Conciliatory Innovative Practices to Address SDG 7, led by Aphrodite Salas and David Secko of the Department of Journalism
World’s Challenge Challenge
In the spring term, three Concordia student teams competed for a spot at the World’s Challenge Challenge, to be hosted virtually by Western University in London, Ontario, in June.
The annual competition will bring together more than 30 university student teams to engage them in thinking about and finding tangible solutions to the SDGs.
The undergraduate members of the winning Concordia group, Team Alleyoop, are:
- Amy Tran, mechanical engineering student
- Vanessa Pereira cell and molecular biology
- Anjali Bhardwa, software engineering
- Meilani Sinnathamb, aerospace engineering
The students created prototypes for durable, reusable shipping boxes and envelopes made from recycled materials that can replace single-use packages for ecommerce.
Unlocking the Power of AI for Nature-based Climate Solutions
Sustainability in the Digital Age (SDA), a Concordia-based think tank, is organizing a panel discussion for the Global Council for Science and the Environment 2022 Virtual Conference in June.
The discussion, Unlocking the Power of AI for Nature-based Climate Solutions – An Overview of Challenges and Opportunities, will examine how artificial intelligence (AI) can tap into natural ways to mitigate climate change and monitor and implement solutions.
The panellists include Damon Matthews, Concordia University Research Chair in Climate Science and Sustainability (Tier 1) and professor in the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment; Santiago Ramírez Said, project manager for SDA and Concordia partner Future Earth; and moderator Éliane Ubalijoro, SDA’s executive director and global hub director for Future Earth Canada.
Learn more about Concordia’s Sustainability Development Goals efforts.
