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Research

Genuine research enables curiosity, expands our vision and inspires solutions to the challenges we face. 

The Faculty of Environment studies the complex relationships between humans and their built and natural environments from the past to the present.  We also tackle the three pillars of sustainability: environmental, economic and social with an aim to make positive impacts locally and globally.

Check out how we advance research in the specialized areas listed below in our departments and centres.

Archaeology

Ranked 1st in Canada for QS Rankings on citations per paper and H-Index citations

  • Archaeological science
  • Ceramic analysis
  • Cultural resource management
  • Ethnoarchaeology
  • Evolutionary archaeology
  • Forensic anthropology
  • Geoarchaeology
  • Historical archaeology
  • Lithic analysis
  • Paleoethnobotany
  • Zooarchaeology

Geography

SFU Geography named One of Maclean's Standout Programs

  • Environmental & Atmospheric Science
  • Geomorphology & Hydrology
  • Health Geography
  • Place & Development
  • Power, Politics, Policy
  • Social Theory
  • Society & Environment
  • Soil Science & Ecology
  • Spatial Information Science
  • Urban Spaces

Resource and Environmental Management

  • Avalanche Research
  • Climate, Oceans, and Paleo-Environments (COPE)
  • Coastal Marine Ecology and Conservation (CMEC)
  • Energy & Materials (EMRG)
  • Environment & Development
  • Environmental Toxicology
  • Forest Ecology & Management
  • Indigenous Research & Partnerships
  • Quantitative Fisheries
  • Salmon Watersheds
  • Sustainable Community Development (SCD)

Adaptation to Climate Change Team

Adaptation to Climate Change Team studies nine top-of-mind climate change areas and considers ways to protect environmental, economic and social well being throughout its five-year program.

Centre for Sustainable Development

The Centre for Sustainable Development develops practical, effective solutions for environmental, social and economic challenges to advancing sustainable development.

Cooperative Resource Management Institute

The Cooperative Resource Management Institute facilitates collaborative research and professional development projects with governmental and nongovernmental natural resource management agencies.

Sustainable Transportation Research Action Team

START is an interdisciplinary research collaborative that identifies sustainable transportation solutions by combining economic, engineering, marketing, policy and psychology.

Centre for Forensic Research

The Centre for Forensic Research is a joint venture between Archaeology and Criminology and forensic researchers from other areas.  It is the focal point for world class research on a range of forensic science topics, notably homicides and animal cruelty.

Centre for Tourism, Policy and Research

The Centre for Tourism, Policy and Research engages with public and private sector tourism organizations to undertake research and professional development activities that address use and management of natural and/or cultural resources for tourism and recreation.

Pacific Water Research Centre

The Pacific Water Research Centre (PWRC) aims to promote and mobilize research that addresses water issues on multiple scales ranging from local communities to national to global.