After a decade of supporting interdisciplinary sustainability research, the McGill Sustainability Systems Initiative (MSSI) is closing its doors and formally joining the McGill Sustainability Park (MSP).
The MSSI played a key role in advancing interdisciplinary research across the University, funding creative and innovative projects that address sustainability challenges with cutting edge solutions ranging from sustainable energy harvesting to biodegradable packaging and many more.
As part of the transition, Associate Director Evan Henry and Research Assistant Larissa Jarvis are moving to the Provost’s Office to join the Park’s academic team, led by recently appointed Academic Director Rees Kassen.
The announcement was marked by a celebratory event at the Redpath Museum.
“MSSI’s Director and Research Assistant will contribute to writing the next chapter of the MSP,” Chris Buddle, Associate Provost (Teaching and Academic Planning), told those assembled.
For Henry, there is continuity of purpose: The team’s first task is to develop a strategic academic plan for the Park, he said. This will continue consultations with stakeholders within and outside of McGill and include making decisions about the research topics to be addressed at the Park, Henry added.
Research innovation across disciplines
President and Vice-Chancellor Deep Saini described the Park as “a physical and intellectual commons where McGill’s brightest minds work alongside government, industry and civil society to co-create solutions for a resilient, equitable and sustainable world.”
Its three key priorities – education, research and innovation – reflect the broader vision for the project.
“It will be a physical and intellectual space where transformative research and policy work on sustainability will take root, grow and flourish,” Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic) Christopher Manfredi said at the event.
Academic researchers stressed the importance of real-world applications.
“When we do sustainability research, we want it to have real-world impact. … we want it to be deeply entwined with action across all aspects of society, in the form of ReACT hubs; these challenge-driven, collaborative hubs that will establish the Park as a destination for co-designed research,” said Professor Andrew Gonzalez.
Kassen added that students “recognize that, to tackle the kinds of problems that really overwhelm them, they need other skills, notably in public policy.”
Buddle said the MSSI’s legacy will shape what comes next:
“It’s a foundational chapter in the McGill Sustainability Park story: the 10 years of know-how on how to do impactful research and how to work with one another, across disciplines, and with external stakeholders across sectors.”