Research Facilities

Research Institutes, Centres & Groups

Research Centres and Institutes at Trent play a critical role in our pursuit of research excellence with national and international recognition, diversity of research across scholarly disciplines, an emphasis on interdisciplinary research, and involvement of students in research

Listed alphabetically

Abbey Gardens

Abbey Gardens is a not-for-profit charity that has transformed a spent gravel pit (300 acres) into green space with gardens, hiking trails, food hub and educational displays with local partnerships all furthering their mission to create opportunities to learn about living more sustainably. Trent has collaborated with organizations and citizens of the Haliburton Highlands since 1989 through the TCRC and U-LINKS.

Agricultural Soil Health (ASH) Lab

Our main research interests involve assessing the role of microbial communities in ecosystem functioning and assessing the impacts of climate change and agricultural management on soil health, soil carbon, and nutrient dynamics. Our research group uses a variety of biogeochemical, isotopic, and molecular methods to assess soil health metrics and the functional and taxonomic abundance, potential activity, and diversity of soil microbial communities in relation to anthropogenic changes within natural and agricultural systems. We focus on improving soil health as a means to better protect Canada’s valuable natural resources while improving food security.

Aurora Research Greenhouse

Aurora Research Greenhouse was purchased as part of a multi-million dollar investment from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, Ontario Government and Trent University. Located in the DNA building, the greenhouse is designed specifically for research applications, and it provides unparalleled environmental performance in the control of temperature, humidity, air velocity, and light intensity. The Aurora offers expanded research flexibility, year-round functionality and exact replication of experiments.

Canadian Environmental Modelling Centre

Canadian Environmental Modelling Centre (CEMC) was established as part of the Environmental and Resource Studies (ERS) program at Trent University in July of 1995. The major focus of the CEMC has been the development and evaluation of mass balance models which describe the fate of chemicals in the environment. Applications include the phenomena of bioaccumulation in food chains, prediction of the fate of contaminants in the Great Lakes and in regions of Canada and the U.S. and estimates of the global distribution of chemicals, especially their tendency to condense in cold climates such as the Canadian Arctic. There has also been some effort toward the correlation of the physio-chemical properties of contaminants.

Ecosystems and Global Change Group

Jointly led by Prof Andrew Tanentzap (Canada Research Chair in Climate Change and Northern Ecosystems) and Dr Erik Emilson (Research Scientist, Canadian Forest Service sector of Natural Resources Canada) ecosystemchange.com

Environmental Geoscience Research Group

The EGRG studies the impacts of changes in climate, land use and pollutant inputs on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Pollutants include acid rain, excess nutrients, ozone, microplastics and heavy metals. Information from our studies is used in steady-state and dynamic models to predict 'acceptable levels' of pollutants that will not cause adverse biological effects according to present knowledge. Output from these model runs may be used as a guide for policy makers to establish pollutant emission targets.

Environmental Isotope Geochemistry Mass Spectrometry Analysis

At ENIGMA, we carry out research activities on environmental and isotope geochemistry and analytical chemistry. We are especially interested in: (i) elucidating how biogeochemical processes impact the cycle of nutrients, trace elements and isotopes (TEIs) in the environment and (ii) developing new analytical tools for applications to environmental issues.

Frost Centre for Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies

Frost Centre for Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies is a research centre and the home for two graduate programs, the MA in Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies, and the PhD in Canadian Studies (jointly-sponsored with Carleton University). In both research and teaching, the Centre strives to create a vibrant, intellectual space for research, writing, debate and discussion on past and current themes and issues relating to Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies.

International Institute for Environmental Studies

The vision of the International Institute for Environmental Studies (IIES) is to become a global leader in the development of research and policy for the management of environmental issues having international dimensions. To meet this vision the Institute shall bring together world class research scientists and policy analysts from institutions from around the globe to work collaboratively, sharing expertise, facilities and research programs.

Please visit the Faculty page listing for more information on individual research and their labs.

Institute for Watershed Science

Institute for Watershed Science (IWS) is a unique interdisciplinary and inter-institutional alliance for integrated science, facility sharing, expert consultation, management services, training and technology transfer on watershed ecosystem management, health, protection and rehabilitation. The IWS leads and encourages the development of integrated scientific analysis and understanding of ecological processes within watersheds. The institutional partnership is between Trent University, Fleming College, and the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). 

James McLean Oliver Ecological Centre

The James McLean Oliver Ecological Centre is a field station located near Bobcaygeon on Pigeon Lake. The waterfront property consists of 110 ha (270 acres), and provides a location for study of various habitats on the property and in the area. Several Trent University graduate and undergraduate students have conducted research on site, and undergraduate courses are held there annually. The Centre also provides accommodation for graduates and professors to stay while doing their research.

Power GeoLab

An environmental geoscience laboratory led by Ian Power, Assistant Professor and Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Environmental Geoscience, and based in the School of the Environment. The goal of our research is to better understand fundamental geochemical, mineralogical, and geobiological processes that are relevant to addressing environmental challenges including carbon management and sequestration, an emerging field in geosciences that is ripe for scientific inquiry and technological advances.

Trail Research Hub

The Trail Research Hub undertakes research, education, and outreach initiatives to support sustainable trail development, construction, and maintenance across Canada while establishing best practice guidelines for trails governance and management.

Trent Centre for Aging and Society

Trent Centre for Aging and Society brings together faculty, visiting scholars, students and community members with an interest in aging, and it supports innovative research, education and community engagement that is responsive to the challenges and opportunities facing older people and aging communities in Peterborough, across Canada and internationally.

Trent Community Research Centre

Trent Community Research Centre (TCRC) facilitates community-based research in Peterborough, Ontario. TCRC is an internal team operating within Trent University's Co-op, Careers, and Experiential Education Department that connects students and faculty at Trent University with local organizations to create community-based research, service learning, and experiential education opportunities that enhance the social, environmental, cultural and economic health of our communities.

Trent Environmental Wind Tunnel

TEWT is a low-speed, open-loop wind tunnel research facility designed for simulation of the atmospheric boundary layer both in clean air and with sediment transport. The development of this facility was completed entirely 'in-house' with funds provided by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and Trent University (TU-NSRC).

Trent Microenvironment Laboratory

The most comprehensive research facility of its kind among Canadian universities, the Microenvironment Laboratory at Trent University supports the research of 14 faculty members, who are involved in developing models that allow scientists to accurately predict the future impact of climate change, pollution and other negative pressures on biological, physical and chemical processes in the natural environment.

Trent University Nature Areas

Trent University has a large, attractive and ecologically diverse campus with designated Nature Areas, covering approximately 300 ha (740 acres), which are used for teaching, scientific research, and nature interpretation. These areas also provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and enhance the campus aesthetically.

U-Links Centre for Community-Based Research

U-Links Centre for Community-Based Research works with community partners, faculty and students to deliver high quality, relevant research services to Haliburton County.  Through the innovative Community Based Education (CBE) program, U-Links works with community partners, and faculty and students from Trent University to bring the resources of the university to the community, and the resources of the community to the university. The results of our research are used to foster community development in many aspects of life in Haliburton County including social services, culture and recreation, health, agriculture and the environment. 

Water Quality Centre

Water Quality Centre (WQC) is dedicated to the development and application of innovative new techniques for the analysis of organic and inorganic contaminants at the isotopic, elemental and molecular scale. The WQC is a multidisciplinary facility that utilizes state-of-the-art instrumentation. Its focus is the determination of trace quantities of inorganic and organic substances found in aquatic environments. Biological material, sediments, soils, fly ash, industrial by-products, and municipal wastewaters are also investigated with respect to their potential impact on the water quality.

Trent University respectfully acknowledges it is located on the treaty and traditional territory of the Mississauga Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to First Peoples for their care for, and teachings about, our earth and our relations. May we honour those teachings.

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