This societal impact focuses on how universities can support, and be, strong institutions in their countries and promote peace and justice. It explores universities’ research on law and international relations, their participation as advisers to the government and their policies on academic freedoms.

Lakehead University recognizes the importance of upholding the values of democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights. Through the fields of criminology, law and social justice, Lakehead equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to address conflict resolution, social inequalities, and human rights violations while promoting peace and justice.

Research and Innovation

Local: Expert Advice to Local Government: Workplace Injury Prevention

In 2025, Lakehead University researcher Dr. Kathryn Sinden collaborated with the City of Thunder Bay to identify workplace injury risks among municipal employees in physically demanding roles, including transit, operations, and emergency services. By analyzing workplace injury data and assessing occupational hazards, the research identified key risk factors and provided evidence to support the development of an injury-risk management strategy. The findings helped inform potential prevention measures, including a targeted stretching program.

Regional: Indigenous Law and Justice

The Mino-waabandan Inaakonigewinan Indigenous Law and Justice Institute is an academic research unit based out of the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law at Lakehead University. The Institute was launched in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action #50, which calls for the creation of Indigenous law institutes to support access to justice for Indigenous people and to revitalize Indigenous laws.

In 2025, Law professors Monique Woolnough and Larissa Speak examined the ethics and impacts of Lakehead's Indigenous land-based learning curriculum. The curriculum introduces first-year law students to Indigenous legal orders through ceremonies, art and sharing circles led by Elders and Indigenous community members

National: Research on Rural Non-Profit Capacity and Regional Community Services

In 2025, Lakehead University researchers Dr. Yuanyuan Wu and Dr. Olakunle Akingbola collaborated with more than 25 rural non-profit organizations in central Ontario to examine how financial and human resource constraints affect their operations and ability to serve their communities. Supported by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council grant, the research aims to identify operational challenges and explore solutions to strengthen the sector’s capacity to address social needs. The findings may help inform regional planning and decisions related to rural community services and non-profit sustainability.

National: Expert Advice on National Environmental Education Policy

In 2025, Lakehead University Associate Professor Dr. Ellen Field served as lead consultant in developing Canada’s National Framework for Environmental Learning, a federal initiative supported by Environment and Climate Change Canada. Her work included reviewing environmental education policies across provincial, national, and international jurisdictions and identifying policy gaps and promising practices. She also contributed to developing national learning principles, outcomes, and indicators through consultation with educators, researchers, Indigenous leaders, government representatives, and community partners. This work demonstrates Lakehead’s contribution of specialized expertise to inform national education policy and strengthen environmental and climate change learning across Canada.

Teaching and Student Life

Student Governance

Lakehead University recognizes the Lakehead University Student Union (LUSU) as a democratic student organization. Students at the Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses elect an executive committee and board of directors through referendums. LUSU represents student interests, informs university services and supports student participation, advocacy and community activities.

Educating Future Leaders in Justice and Governance

Lakehead University’s Bora Laskin Faculty of Law prepares students to understand and respond to complex legal, social and governance issues. Through its emphasis on Indigenous law, access to justice and experiential learning, students develop the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to fair and effective legal systems.

Lakehead University’s Criminology program provides students with a practitioner-oriented education in the Canadian criminal justice system, with three core areas of focus: social justice and human rights, law and legal institutions, and forensic science and criminalistics. Students can explore topics such as policing, cybercrime, youth crime, forensic psychology and death investigation, preparing them for careers in law enforcement, corrections, victim services and justice administration.

Human Rights and Equity

Lakehead University's Office of Human Rights and Equity delivered 11 education and training sessions, 24 orientation and information sessions and six additional prevention initiatives related to sexual and gender-based violence during 2024–25. The Office also maintained reporting and resolution processes for discrimination, harassment and human-rights concerns. During January–April 2025, Lakehead recorded 10 reported racism or hate incidents and reported an average response time of three days and average resolution time of 20 days.

Community Impact

Expanding Access to Justice

Lakehead University Community Legal Services provides free legal services to low-income residents of Northwestern Ontario, including residents of Thunder Bay, Fort William First Nation, Nipigon, Marathon, Schreiber and Greenstone. Services include support with minor criminal offences, provincial offences, tenant rights, small claims and civil disputes, and employment law. The clinic provides an important community resource for individuals who may otherwise face barriers to accessing legal representation.

Advancing Indigenous Human Rights

Indigenous Law Students Association (ILSA) participated in the Indigenous Human Rights Program in partnership with the Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre. Students supported the relaunch of a human rights legal clinic providing free legal information, summary advice and public legal education related to discrimination and human rights law for Indigenous communities in Thunder Bay.

Indigenous Representation in University Governance

Lakehead University's Ogimaawin Indigenous Education Council (OIEC) provides a formal mechanism for Indigenous community participation in university governance. During 2024–25, OIEC held four scheduled meetings between October 2024 and April 2025. The Council includes representatives from surrounding Indigenous communities and has representation on Lakehead's Board of Governors and Senate. OIEC serves as an advisory council to the President and a formal channel of communication between Indigenous communities and the University.

Administration and Operations

Transparent and Accountable Governance

Lakehead University's governance structures included representation from students, faculty and staff. The Senate included undergraduate and graduate student representatives, while the Board of Governors included students, faculty and staff representation. During 2024–25, the Board continued to make formal appointments to governance bodies, including the appointment of a staff member and an Indigenous representative to OIEC for subsequent terms.

Protecting Human Rights

Lakehead’s Human Rights Policy and related institutional processes provide a framework for addressing discrimination, harassment and other human rights concerns. These measures support a safe, respectful and inclusive environment and reinforce the university’s commitment to fairness, dignity and equal treatment.

Commitment to Free Expression & Academic Freedom and Responsible Research

Lakehead University’s Freedom of Expression Policy supports an environment where students, faculty and staff can share ideas, question perspectives and engage in open debate. The policy protects the right to express and challenge views, supporting academic freedom, diverse perspectives and informed dialogue.

Lakehead strengthened research-security support while maintaining its commitment to academic freedom. During 2024–25, the University invested in a Research Security and Data Management Specialist to help researchers identify and mitigate research-security risks and comply with federal and provincial requirements. Lakehead's research-security framework explicitly recognizes the importance of maintaining researchers' academic freedom and capacity for innovation

Government Relations and Public Policy

The Office of Government Relations at Lakehead University supports communication, collaboration and advocacy between the university and governments at the municipal, provincial and federal levels. The office works to advance Lakehead’s interests within the public policy and legislative environment through advocacy and government relations, policy analysis and strategic planning, relationship building, and legislative engagement.

Lakehead University established a Research Chair on Caribou Populations in Ontario to support the Caribou Conservation Stewardship Program, which forms part of a conservation agreement between the governments of Ontario and Canada. The Chair's research direction is informed by a steering committee involving Indigenous communities and organizations, municipalities, environmental groups and representatives of Ontario ministries.

Institutional integrity and accountability

Lakehead University maintains publicly available policies and governance mechanisms supporting institutional accountability, financial oversight, risk management and ethical decision-making. These include Board Finance and Operations Committee and Board Audit and Risk Committee terms of reference, conflict-of-interest provisions and other institutional policies. Lakehead also publicly reports its annual operating budget and audited financial statements.

Stakeholder Engagement

Lakehead University's 2025–30 strategic planning process incorporated input from more than 1,200 stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff and community partners. This consultation helped inform the University's priorities and future direction, demonstrating a structured mechanism for internal and external stakeholders to contribute to institutional decision-making.

Ethical and Responsible Research

Lakehead University is committed to conducting research in an ethical, responsible and accountable manner. The Research Ethics Board (REB) reviews research involving human participants to ensure that projects meet established ethical standards and protect the rights, safety, dignity and wellbeing of participants. The REB applies to the core principles of respect for persons, concern for welfare and justice, while ensuring that researchers consider potential risks and benefits throughout the research process.