Acadia University is one of Canada’s most highly regarded primarily undergraduate institutions.  We create and nurture a strong culture of academic inquiry and innovation by building on the outstanding skills of our researchers, by maintaining a focus on our core research disciplines, by celebrating the importance of student research, and by facilitating a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to research initiatives. Our Strategic Research Plan uniquely identifies a strategic focus which reflects not only the international reach of many of our researchers and the impact of their work, but our local geography and peoples as well.  This focus identifies our commitment to contribute to the betterment of the health and life circumstances of those who live in these regions, to the revitalization and development of their communities, and to the protection and sustainability of their environments and resources.

Acadia is keen to make our research resources available to industry for collaborative and contract research activities.  We have many laboratories, research teams, formal research centres and institutes that work across disciplines, including the Acadia Institute for Data Analytics (AIDA), the Acadia Laboratory for AgriFood & Beverage (ALAB), the Centre for the Sensory Research of Foodthe motion Lab for Applied Biomechanics (mLAB), the Acadia Centre for Estuarine Research (ACER), the Acadia Tidal Energy Institutethe Coastal Ecology Labthe Chemical Analysis & Bioimaging Lab, and the Striped Bass Research Team.  Our world-class research facilities include the K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre and Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens (home of the Centre for Analytical Research on the Environment (CARE)) and the David Huestis Innovation Pavilion (hosting the Acadia Lab for Agri-food & Beverage (ALAB), the Food Formulation Lab, and the Acadia Agri-Tech Lab). We are a Nova Scotia leader in providing entrepreneurial resources and experiences for students and community alike.  Our Rural Innovation Centre (RIC) has incubation space for 10 rural start-up companies and is home to Launchbox (Acadia’s student entrepreneur sandbox). Acadia also has a makerspace (Steamspace) outfitted with a variety of technologies (a digital humanities studio (3d scanner, sound and film recording/editing), equipment to materialize ideas (a variety of 3d printers, laser cutter, etc.), and other creative tools and materials) to support a wide range of innovative and creative ‘making’ activities.

Research Capabilities

Agri-Food & Beverage
  • Consumer sensory analysis and evaluation of food & beverage products (Sensory Centre)
  • Chemical analysis of food & beverage products (ALAB)
  • Food & beverage product development and scale-up trials (Food Formulation Lab)
  • Wine & grapevine-related research
  • Cannabis edibles
  • 3D printing
  • Food security
  • Food citizenship
  • Sports nutrition
Agritechnology
  • Development of alternative insect control techniques and technologies (through insect pheromones & semiochemicals) – (Agri-tech Lab)
  • Development of natural insect repellant products
  • Registration of insect detection, monitoring & control products (Health Canada)
  • Invasive insect species
  • Economically important bee diseases (e.g., NosemaVarroa mites)
  • Development of cryo-preservation and propagation techniques for grapevines & various plant species
  • Plant Development Morphology & Systematics
  • Water quality & monitoring (Drinking Water Quality Lab)
  • Water nutrient management and the environment
  • Environmental pollution and contaminants
  • Agritourism
Cannabis
  • Food & Beverage Product Development
  • Solubility techniques
  • Alternative insect control techniques and technologies
  • Natural fertilizers & controls for powdery mildew
  • Aquaponics systems
Data Analytics/ICT
  • Data collection, mining & visualization
  • Machine learning/artificial intelligence
  • Statistics
  • Mathematical modeling
Materials
  • Design and Synthesis of photodynamic multinuclear metal complexes
  • Characterization of the properties of semiconductor nanostructures
  • Role of proteins in fouling and corrosion of metal surfaces
  • Design/characterization of novel thin film coatings on metal and glass surfaces
  • Design and synthesis of molecular compounds for hydrogen storage
  • Nanolithography of materials for medical device applications
  • Corrosion Inhibitors and other barrier materials
Human Health and Wellness
  • Physical activity and exercise in health, disease and disability
  • Applied biomechanics
  • Workplace health
  • Psychological determinants of physical activity
  • Injury prevention and management in health and physical activity
  • Sports nutrition
  • Responses to stress
  • Socio-cultural aspects of physical activity, sport and leisure
  • Music therapy
  • Fitness testing and exercise training
Natural Resources and the Environment
  • Fish, mammal and avian migrations and tracking
  • Tidal energy
  • Aquaculture
  • Salt marsh and waterway health and restoration
  • Invasive species
  • Biostatistics (lobster, etc.)
  • Monitoring the health of marine and coastal environments
  • Genetic techniques
  • Management and recovery of species at risk
  • Environmental pollution and contaminants
  • Climate change
  • Water monitoring
  • Environmental monitoring
  • Water quality and nutrient management and the environment
  • Monitoring of organic contaminants and wastewater treatment
  • Biogeochemistry and measuring mercury in the environment
  • Measuring trace metals and chemical speciation in the environment
Community Life, Organizations, and Cultural Diversity
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Rural and small community sustainability
  • Aboriginal tourism
  • Wine tourism/wine consumer behaviour
  • Tourism economics (cruise ship industry and world heritage sites)
  • Media studies
  • Religious life
  • Sociological, economic, and political trends affecting labour, health, and indigenous peoples
  • Cultural diversity and social justice
  • Equity and diversity

Springboard Representatives

  • Katrin Sommerfeld

    Katrin Sommerfeld

    Manager, Industry & Community Partnerships, Office of Industry & Community Engagement (ICE), Acadia University

  • Leigh Huestis

    Leigh Huestis

    Director, Office of Industry & Community Engagement (ICE), Acadia University