Interdisciplinary Research

One of the key goals of the Centre for Environment (CFE) is to become a focal point for strong interdisciplinary environmental research projects. We have developed a research strategy based on the CFE's five areas of concentration: 1. applied environmental science; 2. environment and health; 3. environmental policy, including energy policy; 4. environmental ethics; and 5. environment and international development, as well the overarching theme of "the natural city". 

The development of new interdisciplinary and collaborative research projects will help to establish the Centre as the focal point for innovative environmental research at the University of Toronto.

Fpr example, co-investigators from the Centre for Environment and the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Engineering recently completed a SSHRC RDI funded studying investigating Energy Conservation and Demand Management: Integrating Design, Behaviour and Technology. Energy Conservation and Demand Management, or CDM, is a term adopted by the Ontario Government to encompass a number of programs and initiatives designed to influence energy use patterns and encourage long-term reductions in energy and resource usage. This project aims to bring together work that is underway in the fields of human factors engineering, behaviour modification and environmental ethics in order to identify new research opportunities emerging from the interface of these discrete methodologies and approaches to understanding energy use.  (Please visit Recently Completed Research for more information.)