This societal impact focuses on building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation.

Lakehead University recognizes the significance of this societal goal, and its pivotal role in driving economic growth, fostering technological progress and supporting our mission to build a sustainable future.

Lakehead University’s total research income increased 4% to $28 million from 2023 to 2024. Additionally, 8 university spin-offs established at least 3 years ago are still active.

Research and Innovation

We are proud to be a research-intensive university with a strong commitment to addressing challenges facing Northern Ontario, Canada, and communities around the world. Lakehead University supports innovative research through its dedicated research centres, institutes, and partnerships across areas including Indigenous research, health, environmental sustainability, freshwater ecology, and northern and rural studies. Our research community includes 11 Canada Research Chairs and nationally and internationally recognized researchers whose work contributes to meaningful social, environmental, and economic impact.

Lakehead University is a major contributor to economic development and innovation across Northwestern Ontario and beyond. In 2024–25, Lakehead received 31 million in external research funding and maintained 260 research partnerships with municipal, not-for-profit, business and industry, and Indigenous organizations.

The University also contributed an estimated 4.73 billion annually to Ontario’s GDP, including 2.7 billion to Northwestern Ontario. Through research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and community partnerships, Lakehead continues to support economic growth and the development of new ideas, technologies, and industries.

Leading Research for a Sustainable North

Lakehead University researchers Dr. Sudip Rakshit and Dr. Chris Southcott have been appointed international research Chairs with the University of the Arctic (UArctic), a network of more than 200 universities, colleges, research institutes, and other organizations focused on education and research in and about the North. Dr. Rakshit’s research explores sustainable resource recovery, waste reduction, and circular bioeconomy processes, while Dr. Southcott examines how resource development can better support the sustainability and well-being of Northern and Arctic communities.

Teaching and Student Life

Student Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Lakehead University supports student innovation and entrepreneurship through initiatives that help students turn ideas into businesses and develop the skills needed to succeed as entrepreneurs. Ingenuity, Lakehead’s first student business incubator, provides students with workshops, competitions, mentorship, prototype development, makerspace and media resources, and access to community partnerships. Its Ascend Accelerator is a 10-week program that helps students and recent alumni move early-stage ideas toward viable businesses, with mentorship, business development training, networking, and up to $5,000 in funding available per business idea. In 2024–25, six student-led start-ups completed the program, representing sectors including artificial intelligence, agriculture, construction technology, and wellness.

The University’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Research further supports research and education in areas including start-ups, commercialization, social entrepreneurship, healthcare innovation, and economic development through business creation. Together, these initiatives contribute to Lakehead’s goal of fostering an entrepreneurial culture and supporting innovation and economic development in Northwestern Ontario and Simcoe County.

Lakehead also offers a Certificate in Entrepreneurship for students from non-business programs, as well as a Certificate in Global Entrepreneurship at the Orillia campus, giving students opportunities to build entrepreneurial knowledge and skills alongside their academic programs. Through its Entrepreneurial Co-op, eligible students can receive a $5,000 award, mentorship, and professional support while developing and launching their own business for academic credit.

Administration & Operations

Commercialization and Economic Development

Lakehead University supports the translation of research and innovation into economic and community applications through its innovation, entrepreneurship and economic-development activities. The Office of Innovation, Partnerships and Economic Development provides support for technology transfer, intellectual property, industry research partnerships and economic development.

In 2024–25, these activities were complemented by Lakehead's Ingenuity student incubator and Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Research, helping connect research, entrepreneurship, business development and regional economic development.

Global Reach

Lakehead University is home to a diverse network of research centres, institutes, and specialized research groups addressing some of Canada’s and the world’s most pressing challenges. Research spans areas including climate change and environmental sustainability, freshwater ecology, Indigenous and Northern issues, health and aging, rural and remote communities, social justice, and sustainable resource development. Through interdisciplinary and international collaboration, Lakehead researchers contribute knowledge and solutions that support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and address the unique needs of Northern communities.