Sustainability has a strong presence at Dawson College, reflected in the many projects and initiatives undertaken in the past 10 years. Most recently, it has been noted as one of the foundational goals in the Dawson College Strategic Plan 2016-2021.

Building on its achievements, Dawson aims to become a leader in the field of sustainability in higher education institutions, guided by internal and external markers, such as its sustainability policy, and the AASHE Gold Standard of sustainability certification for institutes of higher education. Dawson researchers and faculty members have played an integral role in conceptualizing and implementing the core value of well-being for all, sustainably, at Dawson through their research on the related topics of sustainability, communities and education.

One of these is Living Campus, a concept that views the entire campus as a learning lab and integrates educational approaches under the vision of sustainable well-being. Chris Adam from Community Recreation and Leadership Training (CRLT), collaborated with Catherine O’Brien from Cape Breton University on an article published in the International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change last year which discussed Living Campus as part of the transformation of education and pedagogical practices towards a global vision of sustainable well-being. It is also the subject of a chapter in O’Brien’s book, Sustainable Happiness and Well Being (2016).

Dawson also has two ongoing research projects led by faculty members and funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. One is Sustainable Campuses: A North South Research and Action Community, led by Gisela Frias and her colleagues at university partners in Mexico, facilitating student exchanges between Dawson and Mexico. The second is on Food Justice and Sustainability, led by Anna-Liisa Aunio and colleagues, focusing on connecting communities, research and policy for just sustainable food systems.

There are also several institutional grants on biodiversity at Dawson, funded by Entente-Canada-Quebec (ECQ). These ECQ grants include: The Honey Bee project, which uses social media to reinforce collective action on environmental challenges; Monarch Butterfly Tagging project, which is focused on biodiversity, experiential learning and environmental stewardship, and the Dawson Peace Centre, which includes Urban Habitat Restoration, Indigenous Art Boutique, and Tools for Peace in its Projects for Peace.