MSSI serves as the front door to sustainability research at McGill University. As a convenor for transdisciplinary collaboration, MSSI connects researchers, industry leaders, and community stakeholders to address complex sustainability systems. Our directory of sustainability research units showcases our diverse network committed to tackling global sustainability challenges. By fostering partnerships and facilitating knowledge exchange, MSSI is dedicated to driving impactful research and practices that contribute to a more sustainable future.
Sustainability Research Units at McGill
Bieler School of the Environment (BSE)
McGill University’s Faculties of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Arts, and Science have come together to forge a unique approach to the study of the environment, through the Bieler School of Environment (BSE). The Bieler School of Environment trains students to address critical environmental issues from multiple perspectives, understand the broader societal contexts, and adapt to a constantly changing world. Encompassing a broad range of ideas, methods, and perspectives, we provide a foundation upon which more specialized knowledge can be built, to enable and develop the interdisciplinary approaches our planet needs.
Director: frederic.fabry [at] mcgill.ca (Frederic Fabry)
Visit their website here.
Brace Water Centre
The Brace Water Centre brings together staff from several McGill faculties, to undertake research, teaching, specialized training, and policy and strategic studies in water resources management, both in Canada and internationally. McGill is one of Canada's most comprehensive and research-intensive universities. The Brace Water Centre draws on a wide range of expertise and facilities available within the University. Researchers affiliated with the Centre come from multiple faculties including, Engineering, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Science, Law, and Management.
Interim Director: nathalie.tufenkji [at] mcgill.ca (Nathalie Tufenkji)
Visit their website here.
Centre in Green Chemistry and Catalysis (CGCC)
The CGCC was created in 2009 through the financial support of FRQNT and is composed of researchers from 7 universities across Quebec, including Université de Montréal, McGill University, Université Laval, the Université de Sherbrooke, Concordia University, the Université du Québec à Montréal and Polytechnique Montréal. The scientific program of CGCC aims to yield major conceptual scientific advances in areas in which Quebec has already demonstrated its international leadership, bringing together talented researchers for the development of new green chemistry, as well as increasing public awareness and encouraging the creation of spin-off companies
Coordinator at McGill: marie.laferriere2 [at] mcgill.ca (Dr. Marie Laferrière)
Visit their website here.
Margaret A. Gilliam Institute for Global Food Security
Margaret A. Gilliam Institute for Global Food Security was launched in October 2010. Institute staff, affiliates, students and post-doctoral fellows focus their energies on finding sustainable solutions and help to advance annual agricultural productivity growth while conserving natural resources and minimizing environmental degradation. The time to strategically reinvest in agriculture, food and nutrition in an innovative way is now. Research-for-development, technology transfer, education, and dissemination of knowledge are so critical to alleviate the hunger and poverty being experienced by millions of people in the world.
Director: patrick.cortbaoui [at] mcgill.ca (Patrick Cortbaoui)
Visit their website here.
Max Bell School of Public Policy
McGill’s Max Bell School of Public Policy is committed to the research, teaching, public outreach, and practical advocacy of sound public policy, with each of these four dimensions grounded in a solid understanding of the overall policy process, not merely as it is described in theory but as it exists in the real world, with all its imperfections and limitations. The principle-based design of policy solutions to important problems, the interaction of policy development with partisan politics, and knowledge of the workings of the machinery of government all play central roles in the activities of the Max Bell School.
Director: Christopher.Ragan [at] mcgill.ca (Christoper Ragan)
Visit their website here.
McGill Centre for Biodiversity Sciences/FRQ - Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Sciences (QCBS)
The objective of the Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science (QCBS) is to support the development and application of biodiversity science through collaboration, training and partnership. Our research is fostering the discovery, study and sustainable use of biodiversity in Quebec, Canada and around the world.
Director: andrew.gonzalez [at] mcgill.ca (Andrew Gonzalez)
Visit their website here.
McGill Centre for Innovation in Storage and Conversion of Energy (McISCE)
The McGill Centre for Innovation in Storage and Conversion of Energy (McISCE)’s mission encompasses research and technology development as well as impact assessments, outreach, and communications. The top priorities are the training of students, and the development and transfer of novel sustainable practices and technologies to society. The Centre undertakes cutting-edge research in transformative energy storage and conversion technologies and provides students with the best training in science, engineering, and impact assessment to support the energy transition.
Director: sylvain.coulombe [at] mcgill.ca (Sylvain Coulombe)
Visit their website here.
Sustainable Growth Initiative (SGI)
A cross-faculty venture that mobilizes academics, students, industry, and policy leaders to build actionable solutions that businesses can use to successfully transition to a sustainable economy. The SGI is dedicated to building practical, constructive, and applied solutions for key issues challenging sustainable growth. Anchored at the McGill Desautels Faculty of Management, the SGI is a cross-faculty partnership with the Faculty of Law, the Department of Economics in the Faculty of Arts, and the Max Bell School of Public Policy. The SGI is designed to operate as an integrated ecosystem that mobilizes researchers, industry leaders, policy-makers, and students through 5 pillars: research-to-action, engagement, student competitions, thought leadership, and education.
Director: sanjith.gopalakrishnan [at] mcgill.ca (Sanjith Gopalakrishnan)
Visit their website here.
McGill Office of Sustainability (MOOS)
The McGill Office of Sustainability embeds climate action and sustainability into all of the University’s activities. It engages, supports, and connects students, staff, and faculty by providing strategic guidance and resources to foster a sustainable community. The Office of Sustainability stewards the Sustainability Projects Fund, oversees the implementation of the McGill University Climate & Sustainability Strategy 2020-2025, and facilitates a variety of sustainability engagement programs for students, staff, and faculty members.
Director: francois.miller [at] mcgill.ca (Francois Miller)
Visit their website here.
Trottier Institute for Science & Public Policy (TISPP)
The Trottier Institute for Science and Public Policy (TISPP) is committed to developing and promoting policies that expand the contribution of science to human welfare. TISPP prepares scientists to navigate the intellectual, political, and economic landscape required to effect policy change.
New programs are currently under consideration. Please check back regularly for updates.
Director: patrick.cortbaoui [at] mcgill.ca (R)Rees.Kassen [at] mcgill.ca (ees Kassen)
Visit their website here.
Trottier Institute of Sustainable Engineering and Design (TISED)
TISED has grown to offer a range of interdisciplinary courses for students. These courses provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to address sustainability challenges from an engineering and design perspective. The institute also offers numerous funding opportunities to support research initiatives to advance sustainability and promote innovative solutions. In addition to its academic offerings, TISED hosts various annual symposiums and conferences. These events bring together experts, researchers, and professionals from different disciplines to exchange ideas, share knowledge, and collaborate on sustainability-related issues. Overall, TISED plays a crucial role in promoting sustainability in engineering and design by providing education, research support, and a platform for collaboration. Its mission is to produce innovative engineering and design solutions and intellectual capacity that enables us to protect and nurture Earth and its inhabitants to meet the needs of current and future generations.
Director: subhasis.ghoshal [at] mcgill.ca (Subhasis Ghoshal)
Visit their website here.
Weston Family Entrepreneurial Innovation & Sustainability Program
Dedicated to launching innovative solutions for sustainability, the Weston Family Sustainability Startup Challenge will accompany Founders along the stages of developing and pitching their innovative solutions as startups. A complement to the Dobson Bootcamp, industry-specific workshops will focus on the latest trend in sustainability entrepreneurship, sustainable fundraising, and business practices with another pitch competition.
Contact: patrick.cortbaoui [at] mcgill.ca (D)dobson.mgmt [at] mcgill.ca (obson Centre for Entrepreneurship)
Visit their website here.
