Education and research

Learn about our six signature research clusters, along with the sustainability research, education, and thought leadership taking place at Dalhousie.

Research Framework: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

With the goal of helping create new solutions for complex global issues, Dalhousie’s signature research clusters are grounded in the UN’s SDGs.

Institutes, Centres, and Labs at Dal

Sustainability research at Dal covers a wide range of projects and faculties. Here are some of our research centres and labs that work to address sustainability and broader environment-related topics:

Centres and Institutes

Labs

Thought Leaders

Dalhousie faculty members are leading the way in sustainability research, both locally and globally.

Jeff Dahn

Dr. Jeff Dahn is recognized nationally and internationally for his pioneering work in the development of lithium-ion battery technology. With more than four decades in the field, his research and training of other scientists is contributing to a worldwide transformation in technology and sustainable power storage.

Read about Dr. Dahn’s award-winning research

Sherry Pictou

Dr. Sherry Pictou is Dalhousie’s Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Governance. In 2022, she became a co-principal investigator for the $24-million project Ărramăt, which explores global Indigenous perspectives on the stewardship and management of natural resources and takes place in 70 ecosystems around the world.

Read about Dr. Pictou’s work empowering Indigenous Peoples

Transforming Climate Action

In 2023, the Dal-led research program Transforming Climate Action kickstarted a new ocean-first approach to fighting climate change. With contributions from more than 170 scholars and funded by a $154-million Canadian Government research grant, the cross-disciplinary program is studying the role of ocean carbon capture to help inform global climate action discourse.

Read about the launch of a new era of climate research

transforming climate action panelists talk to crowd

Solar Power: Ghada Koleilat, Mita Dasog, and Ian Hill

At Dal, researchers are exploring new methods to harness the power of the sun. Dr. Ghada Koleilat is developing solar cell technology that can be applied like paint to surfaces, Dr. Mita Dasog studies the use of solar energy to create hydrogen fuel, and Dr. Ian Hill works on new battery designs to charge the solar revolution.

Read about these innovative solar projects