We all want to leave the world a better place than where we found it — at Dal we have a strategy for that
We adopted the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the most comprehensive shared objectives ever set by the international community, to guide the direction of our research. By using the SDGs as our roadmap, we are leveraging our greatest strengths and establishing local, national, and international partnerships to solve the most complex issues facing our world.
High-impact research
Microplastics found in naturally occurring slime under Arctic ice cap
International negotiators are in the process of trying to come up with a UN plastics treaty by 2024 that would regulate all aspects of the life of plastic. Dalhousie's Dr. Allen is part of the scientific advisory group assisting with the negotiations. Read the Dal News story on the advisory group.
The distinctive click patterns sperm whale clans make to communicate are also used to mark their culture: international research team
An international team of 27 scientists led by researchers from Dalhousie University and the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in the Netherlands pooled their acoustic datasets of Pacific Ocean sperm whales, allowing them to examine click patterns across 23 locations, from Canada to New Zealand and Japan to South America. Read the media release about this collaborative research.
Dal prof part of global team calling for united action on depression — an overlooked and underfunded crisis
The report, published by the Lancet and World Psychiatric Association Commission on depression, is calling for a whole-of-society response to reduce the global burden of the illness and address widespread failures to tackle the persistent and deepening depression crisis. Read the Dal News story about this call for action.
International experts predict the greatest impacts on ocean biodiversity over next decade, urge policymakers to act now
The 'horizon scan' involved 30 experts in marine and coastal systems from 11 countries, including Dalhousie University Oceanography Professor Anna Metaxas who provided her expertise in undersea mining. Read the media release about the impacts on ocean biodiversity.
Exceptional student experience
Dal student and team win first place in global pitch competition for unique approach to wildfire mitigation
The environmental science master's student notes his team's success at this year's UNITE 2030 Changemakers Summit in New York City last month had a lot to do with his team's multicultural background. Read the Dal News story about their pitch to reduce the risk of wildfires through the development of a community co-op.
Dal and partner university launch new jointly run college in China
The Dalhousie University College of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University offers programs to undergraduate-level enrolling Chinese students, while interested students around the world are also welcome. Read the Dal News story about this new offering that will enhance the collaboration between the two universities on all aspects.
MGMT 2305 Ethics and Social Responsibility
In Ethics and Social Responsibility we recognize we live in the Anthropocene, which is defined by climate change challenges. In this course we define and explore the social-ecological responsibilities of leaders working in different sector schemas. The course will draw on emerging challenges reported in the media, current case study, the UN's SDG framework, and textbook readings.
Advisory Council on Sustainability
The President’s Advisory Council on Sustainability and related subcommittees provides an ongoing forum for sustainability discussions at the university. The Council includes membership from faculties, departments, student organizations, and community members.
Dalhousie Student Union Sustainability Office (DSUSO)
The Dalhousie Student Union Sustainability Office is a student-run organization that strives to create a culture of sustainability within Dalhousie Student Union (DSU) operations, thereby improving our university community by making the DSU an ecologically aware, economically responsible, and socially equitable institution. The DSUSO organizes Green Week and implements student-run sustainability projects and initiatives and is funded by an undergraduate levy of $1 per full-time student per semester (Fall and Winter).
Civic university with global impact
SDG Expo: learn, act, and celebrate sustainability!
Dalhousie’s 2025 SDG Expo, is a conference-style event showcasing interdisciplinary efforts to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through research, innovation, and community collaboration. This fair brings together researchers, vendors, and organizations working towards a more sustainable future on and off Dalhousie campuses.
Thriving Futures 2023: Community Contributing to the World
In October 2023, Thriving Futures, a sustainable development project at Dalhousie in partnership with the Halifax Public Libraries, hosted a free community event that featured meaningful conversations on thriving futures centred around the UN's sustainable development goals.
Dal & HalifACT collaborate on public sessions about responding to the climate crisis
Dalhousie Faculty of Architecture and Planning, in collaboration with the Clean Foundation and the HalifACT Team, invite you to join in this engagement series that will bring together experts, interested members of the public, and practitioners to find new ways forward. Watch the sessions on YouTube.
Dalhousie and King's host first international Universities Studying Slavery Conference in Canada
In partnership with the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia, Dalhousie University and the University of King’s College hosted the Universities Studying Slavery (USS) conference in the fall of 2023. Based out of the University of Virginia and comprising more than 60 universities, USS is dedicated to organizing multi-institutional collaboration on research into race and inequality in higher education and university communities. Dalhousie was the first Canadian university to join this groundbreaking organization, followed shortly thereafter by King’s. Read the Dal News story about the USS Conference.
This $20‑million Dal‑led development project has helped reshape Ethiopia's agricultural sector
One of the largest international development projects ever awarded to a Canadian university has come to an end after eight years of transformative work in sub-Sahara Africa. The Agricultural Transformation Through Stronger Vocational Education (ATTSVE) project has helped to evolve Ethiopia’s agricultural practices and education. Read the Dal News story about the ATTSVE project in Ethiopia.
Researchers create portal of weird and wonderful fish sounds: First-ever global inventory available free online
An international team of researchers developed FishSounds, an online portal that lets users search through the first global inventory of fish sound information and a growing catalogue of recordings. Read the Dal News story about FishSounds.
Ready. Set. Launch.
Ready2Launch helps Atlantic Canada’s brightest minds transform ideas into viable businesses. The 12-week immersive program brings together members of the entrepreneurial ecosystem to turn their ideas into products. Past teams have gone on to further their ventures at top accelerators around the world.
International forum brings world security leaders to Dal with post‑COVID era top of mind
The Halifax International Security Forum held its annual Public Panel at Dalhousie University in partnership with Saint Mary’s University, the precursor to one of the world’s preeminent security forums, which brings high level thinkers, policy makers and government officials from around the world to Halifax each year for a weekend-long event that grapples with the key security issues of the day. Read the Dal News story about the security panel discussion.
Foundation for inclusion and distinction
Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)
Dalhousie is a member of Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Canada. Housed at the University of Waterloo, SDSN Canada serves as the Canadian branch of the global United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN SDSN) — a global network of over 900 universities, colleges, research centres and knowledge institutions mobilizing scientific and technological expertise to promote practical problem solving for sustainable development. The SDSN is deeply engaged in the global discussions on implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, their targets, and indicators, and supports members’ engagement in these important debates at the global, regional, and national level.
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)
Dalhousie is a member of AASHE, a large organization of colleges and universities that are working to advance sustainability in higher education. There are many benefits of AASHE membership for Dalhousie students and employees.
Canadian Alliance of College and University Sustainability Professionals (CACUSP)
Dalhousie is a member of CACUSP. The idea for CACUSP was formed at an Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) 2008 conference session chaired by UBC. The CACUSP Steering Committee is an informal, flexible group formed from representation of regional networks across Canada.
Atlantic Canada Universities and Colleges Sustainability Network (AUCSN)
Dalhousie is member of AUCSN, created in 2008 to facilitate information sharing and cooperative initiatives among post-secondary institutions in the region. Membership is open to the universities and community colleges located in Atlantic Canada.
The Northeast Campus Sustainability Consortium (NECSC)
Dalhousie is a member of NECSC which was established in October 2004 to advance education and action for sustainable development on university campuses in the northeast and maritime region. Organized around the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, the NECSC represents more than forty institutions of higher education from the northeast United States and Eastern Canadian Provinces.