The Government of Canada announced funding for several University of Waterloo faculty members through the New Frontiers Research Fund (NFRF).
"The New Frontiers in Research Fund supports high-risk, high-reward Canadian projects with the potential to spark transformational innovations," said Charmaine Dean, vice-president, Research and International. "This year's awardees from the University of Waterloo represent a variety of truly impactful research areas, including equitable approaches to climate change adaptation and improving eye health outcomes in children. Congratulations to the 2024 winners."
The researchers will receive $3,499,501 collectively. Waterloo researchers are known to excel in unique environments and integrate experiential education with interdisciplinary research. The NFRF will expand Waterloo's capacity to identify new opportunities and solutions to deliver game-changing impacts.
The research projects will transform societies, economies, technologies, sustainability and health. Learn more about the researchers and their work below.
Retreating from Risk (RFR): Decision-supports for the equitable implementation of retreat to build climate resilience
Drs. Brent Doberstein (PI), Jason Thistlethwaite, and Johanna Wandel Faculty of Environment and Rodrigo Carneiro da Costa, Faculty of Engineering, Waterloo Climate Institute
Flooding is a significant threat to low-lying areas, posing risks to housing, health, water security, critical infrastructure, and human mobility. Managed retreat (MR), defined as "the purposeful relocation of people, property and critical infrastructure out of areas vulnerable to recurrent climatic hazards," is emerging as a potentially transformative adaptation approach that offers opportunities for both risk reduction and advancement of social justice. This collaborative research initiative will investigate how MR can be incorporated as a proactive strategy to reduce flood risks and support community well-being, including socio-ecological resilience, sustainable livelihoods, and climate justice.
