Research-driven Impact
Faculty and students at Algoma University are leading an impressive range of high-impact research projects that are improving our communities, creating outstanding learning experiences for students, and contributing essential understanding of the world around us.
Funding from the Federal Government’s Research Support Fund allows our faculty to be involved in all forms of investigation – from bench-based study, through to community-based participatory action research, to the creative process. Currently, Algoma is home to three Canada Research Chairs, a recognition of the strength of our research reputation, nationally and internationally.
Current Research
Current projects represent world-class research in various fields, making a difference in our community and beyond.
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Student Research Opportunities
Our students have ample opportunities to develop solid research skills in a very supportive, dynamic and creative environment that is linked to our community and the world.
Learn MoreMeet Our Research and Innovation Team
Research Advisory Committee (RAC)
Dr. Vivian Jimenez-Estrada
Associate Professor, Sociology and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Academic Lead
View Full Bio
Wishart Library
The Arthur A. Wishart Library staff and resources are critical supports for delivering high quality education to Algoma University students and for ensuring student success.The Library is an integral part of the overall academic experience, serving as the access hub to learning resources, and especially through providing learner-centered programs in research skills and information access.
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Funding Opportunities & Deadlines
Algoma U’s internal deadline for all funding applications is two weeks prior to the Agency funding deadline.
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Ethics & Procedures
All research that involves animals or human subjects must go through a special process to obtain ethical approval prior to any project commencing.
Learn MoreUpcoming Events
Tri-Agency Framework
On December 23, 2016, the Presidents of the three federal research agencies – the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) – announced the release of the revised version of the Tri-Agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research (2016). The RCR Framework (2016) replaces the original Framework that was published in 2011.
Algoma University Commercialization Framework
On January 14, 2022, the Honourable Jill Dunlop, Ontario’s Minister of Colleges and Universities issued the province’s Commercialization Mandate Policy Framework (CMPF). Algoma University (AU) is pleased to support the CMPF of the Government of Ontario by investing in support for the commercialization of intellectual property (IP) to benefit Ontario, Canada, and the world. Within the context of AU’s collective agreements and Senate policies, this document outlines AU’s commercialization procedures and satisfies our commitment to the CMPF.
Read the full document here.
The Annual Commercialization Plan (ACP) is an integral component of Ontario’s Commercialization Mandate Policy Framework (CMPF). The CMPF helps colleges and universities strengthen their focus on the generation, protection, and management of Intellectual Property (IP) – while accounting for institutional diversity within the sector. It also helps position them to achieve improved commercialization outcomes for the benefit of Ontarians.
Under the CMPF, each publicly assisted college and university is required to create and post a Commercialization Policy which, in turn, will inform the institution’s development of its ACP.
Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) will play an important role in supporting the implementation of the CMPF, including assuming an ongoing role of reviewing the ACPs that institutions develop and update each year.
IPON’s review will inform its annual report to the Minister of Colleges and Universities, detailing the sector’s overall progress in developing and implementing commercialization policies and improving commercialization outcomes.
*ACP description and additional information provided by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
Since 2008, Algoma University has approached research and innovation activities by advancing its research and creativity across cultures for knowledge exchange between the Northern Ontario, national, and global communities, as well as through its partnership with the Northern Ontario Research Development Ideas and Knowledge (NORDIK) Institute.
The university’s four Canada Research Chairs (CRCs) currently focus on environmental issues, health-related issues, and healing and reconciliation. As the university continues to build on its strengths with industry, communities, external partners, and others, it has identified priorities to advance these strengths well beyond current capacity.
These priorities largely focus on faculty and student support through the expansion of the Research and Graduate Studies Offices, which includes plans for:
- Additional staffing resources and infrastructure to better support faculty and students, better promote community-integrated research and innovation, and better support the co-creation of research-related policy and procedures to guide researchers and industry partners. For example, an Indigenous Research Framework will be created with Indigenous input that adheres to the Ownership, Control, Access and Possession (OCAP) and United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) principles.
- Additional tenure-track faculty positions to support the incoming graduate degree programs to ensure that: a) research-intensive faculty are able to provide ample research experiences to Algoma University; and b) students and faculty have the capacity to promote their research.
In early 2022, the Ontario government released its Commercialization Mandate Policy Framework (CMPF) to guide the postsecondary sector’s work in improving commercialization outcomes and strengthening the focus on generating Intellectual Property (IP).
Algoma University’s Commercialization Framework highlights research excellence and demonstrates its commitment to driving commercialization outcomes across the sector. As Algoma University advances its IP capacity, the institution will strive to maximize its commercialization opportunities, protect Ontarians’ interests, and strengthen the Ontario economy. With campuses in Brampton, Sault Ste. Marie, and Timmins, the institution’s research and innovation priorities are closely aligned with the cultural, economic, and social realities of both Southern and Northeastern Ontario.
The first year of Algoma University’s Commercialization Plan will involve researchers meeting with the private and public sectors, as well as with innovation intermediaries, to build relationships at all three campuses – Brampton, Sault Ste. Marie, and Timmins.
Discussions with IPON will be valuable as the institution continues to expand scholarly output at Algoma University. The Research Office expansion will provide guidance to researchers whose work has commercial potential, will assist those researchers to file patents and other forms of IP where indicated, and will provide guidance on the commercialization of IP where appropriate.
While Algoma University does not yet have IP expertise on staff, an IP, Data Management, and Community/Industry Liaison position is in development. For now, external professional advice and support will be provided when and where needed.
As the Research Office continues to grow within the first year of the Commercialization Plan, the institution will hire personnel to establish a foundation for further growth of the research and innovation ecosystem at Algoma University.
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Anishinaabe Inendamowin Research Symposium
Anishinaabe Initiatives and Anishinaabe faculty and staff at Algoma University and Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig are hosting the third bi-annual Anishinaabe Inendamowin Research Symposium with the theme “Weaving Meaningful Anishinaabe Research Bundles.”
The purpose of the symposium is to enrich research through the integration of Anishinaabe Inendamowin (Inendamowin being an Anishinaabe word signifying thought). The Anishinaabe Inendamowin Research Symposium will be held on Friday, January 26th, 2018. If you are interested in participating, please complete and submit the attached Abstract Form (PDF) and send to [email protected].
The deadline for all abstracts is Monday, December 4th, 2017 at 4pm (EST). You will be notified by Monday, December 11th, 2017 if the abstract has been accepted or not accepted.
If you have any questions, please send an email to [email protected]
Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre
The history and activities associated with Shingwauk Hall are being gathered under the auspices of the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre (SRSC), allowing the public to become more aware of the vast history and tradition represented by the Shingwauk buildings and site.
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National Chiefs' Library and Archives
The ADC is a dynamic, modern and culturally appropriate space that allows SKG to deliver its university level academic programs that facilitate the reclamation of the Ojibway language and Anishinabek traditional knowledge.
Learn MoreStrategic Research Plan
Recognizing that research with regard to Anishinaabe and Indigenous communities, cultures, and contexts has implications for all areas of scholarship, Algoma University made the strategic decision to identify Anishinaabe and Indigenous communities as a priority area for research.
The University acknowledges a special responsibility in terms of supporting Anishinaabe communities in their self‐determination initiatives, in creating meaningful opportunities for knowledge exchange, and for enhancing our collective understanding of different ways of being and knowing the world, whether from Western, Anishinaabe, Cree, Mohawk or any other Indigenous perspective.
The above ‐mentioned priority is at the core of the first of the four research clusters identified in this strategic plan for research. The other three clusters, ‘Cultures and Creativity’, ‘Life and the Environment’, and ‘Socio‐economic Issues of Northern, Rural, and Remote Areas’ are linked to the core cluster of ‘Anishinaabe and Indigenous communities’ and form part of the fabric of our regional heritage and landscape within Northern Ontario. The concept of ‘northern, rural and remote’ resonates with many other Canadian and circumboreal cultures that share a rich heritage embodied within indigenous peoples globally.
Strategic Research Plan – long version (PDF)
Strategic Research Plan – short version (PDF)
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NORDIK Institute
The NORDIK research institute has evolved from the Community Economic and Social Development (CESD) program and research, and earlier research at Algoma University.
The vision?: Promoting more vibrant, caring and sustainable communities through research, dialogue, analysis and reflection dedicated to the practice of holistic community development.
The Institute is a joint project of CESD and Algoma U, and has established strong links with other research institutes, universities, and colleges. NORDIK is committed to further developing its own research capacity by working closely with its community partners and providing mentoring to new researchers. Many projects are underway!