Recherche | Faites une différence | Laurentian University

Future Driven

Laurentian University researchers will change the world. Your gifts will help them do it.

In 2017 and in 2018, Laurentian was named Canada’s number one undergraduate university in total sponsored research income*. With considerable growth in research activity, the University is strengthening external linkages, enhancing community relationships and expanding its global reach. Our research and innovation activities are catalyzed within Northeastern Ontario, reflecting our unique geographic, cultural and demographic circumstances.

*According to Research Infosource

The exterior of Laurentian university on a sunny day, with the Canadian and Franco-Ontarian flags flying in the foreground.

News

Laurentian University demonstrates steady growth and vitality in Francophone enrollment

Three years after appointing an associate vice-president of Francophone affairs to consolidate its b...

Aug. 24, 2026

News

Series: Undergraduate Student Research Awards Recipients (#2)

This summer, twenty-four students have the opportunity to support research projects through Laurenti...

Aug. 19, 2026

A wide view looking down a wooden boardwalk trail at the Sheguiandah Archaeological Site. The surrounding forest floor is blanketed with golden autumn leaves, and thin trees cast long shadows across the wooden path. Further down the trail, blue signage panels and dark metal silhouette sculptures are visible in the woods.

News

Researchers Unlock History at Manitoulin’s Sheguiandah Archaeological Site

One of Northern Ontario’s most significant historical landmarks continues to connect past and presen...

Aug. 18, 2026

News

Series: Undergraduate Student Research Awards Recipients (#1)

This summer, twenty-four students have the opportunity to support research projects through Laurenti...

Aug. 13, 2026

News

Laurentian University introduces new wave of annual projects supported by IAMGOLD Innovation Fund

Laurentian University is pleased to announce this year’s recipients of the IAMGOLD President’s Innov...

Aug. 05, 2026

Areas of Strength

Materials, Minerals, Matter and Energy

Fundamental Subatomic Physics: Sudbury is a global location of choice for deep underground research and Laurentian, through its partnership with SNOLAB, is pushing the boundaries of basic research to increase fundamental knowledge and to find solutions in the areas of neutrinos and dark matter, where some of the techniques developed can be applied successfully in other fields.
Mineral Exploration: cutting-edge fundamental and applied research, using multidisciplinary and multiscale approaches across the full spectrum of the geosciences to advance our understanding of the formation and space-time distribution of the mineral resources needed by an evolving society.
Mineral Extraction and Processing: research that advances and innovates in mineral extraction and processing through the applied sciences of mining technology, methods and design, and examines economic, labour, health, and safety issues, in partnership with industry, government and Indigenous communities.
New Materials: integrative research to develop new materials and cutting-edge technologies for advanced astroparticle physics experiments, biomedical and industrial applications and environmental remediation.

Young woman wearing a lab coat, working with a microscope.

Environment

Impacted Northern Landscapes: a globally recognized leader in research to develop innovative remediation and reclamation strategies and solutions in industrially-impacted landscapes, including finding new values in mining environments through innovative biomining, bioprospecting, and carbon capture technologies.
Biodiversity and Conservation: research that addresses stressed aquatic ecosystems, species-at-risk, and the effects of human stressors on wildlife, including the impacts of climate change and resource management on the terrestrial and aquatic communities and their environments.
Built Environments: design-build, materials research and research-creation methods to find built solutions for livable environments for northern climates and climate change adaptation.

A group of researchers standing knee-deep in a lake with a net.

Health, Health Services and Well-Being

Health and Safety: innovation and discovery to solve relevant and critical problems and eliminate occupational injury and disease in the workplace.
Rural and Northern Health: research to improve health determinants, services and access to care for rural and northern communities, with a particular focus on promoting health equity of northern and rural residents and enhancing our understanding of the healthcare system.
Healthy Life Trajectories: research, intervention, and programming that promotes and enhances mental, emotional, physical, social and community wellness at all stages of life and that recognizes intersectionality.
Biomedical and Genomic Research: basic and applied research into the molecular and genomic basis of biological complexity and disease, including ethical issues.

A Human Kinetics student using a respiratory device while her professor monitors the data collected on a computer.

Histories, Identities, Cultures and Languages

Indigenous and Ally-Led Community-Centred Research: research that respects Indigenous worldviews and Indigenous communities’ voices, that benefits Indigenous peoples and supports and promotes Indigenous peoples as researchers.
La Francophonie in Ontario and Canada: research, art and creative-based practices, education and outreach to understand the diverse realities, cultures and dynamics of Francophone communities in Ontario and across Canada.
Realities and Challenges of Northern Ontario: research that addresses the historical, political, economic, environmental, industrial and commercial specificities of this region.