Research and Innovation

From research exploring the building blocks of the universe, cancer care and treatment, materials science, and sustainable technologies, to efforts to create and nurture community through societal connections, our experts are tackling humanity’s most pressing challenges.

We build on an 180-year history of discovery and innovation and are home to field-leading experts who are internationally recognized for their transformative research and impact.

Where bold ideas thrive

Building Canada's supercomputing infrastructure

Supercomputers are the engines of today's AI-powered world.

Queen's experts are ready to build Canadian infrastructure and talent to unleash major AI breakthroughs.

Leaders in supercomputing infrastructure design

Understanding the Universe's building blocks

From dark matter to neutrino science, our Nobel-Prize winning research is exploring the mysteries of the universe.

We host world-class facilities and connect experts from across the country and around the world to advance fundamental science and respond to the biggest questions in particle astrophysics, cosmology, and astronomy.

Leaders in astroparticle physics

Advancing cancer care and treatment

The Canadian Cancer Trials Group, based at Queen’s, plays a critical role in the global fight against cancer.

Since 1980, the network of 2,100 Canadian investigators has supported more than 600 trials involving over 100,000 patients from 40 countries on six continents.

Leaders in cancer research

Building a sustainable future for people and the planet

With field-leading research programs and chairs in environmental and energy research, our community is combating climate change and advancing Canada’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

Leaders in climate change and environmental research

Protecting the lifespan of metals

Queen’s researchers have discovered a novel organic coating that could extend the lifespan of critical metals and potentially save billions in infrastructure, microchips, healthcare, and more.

Leaders in metal coating research

Supporting green energy transition

Queen's researchers are seeking to learn more about material interactions within nuclear reactors.

This research will support Canada's green energy transition with a focus on technological advances for small modular reactors.

Leaders in nuclear materials research

Preserving the past

Our researchers are recovering history and global artifacts through Canada’s only Art Conservation graduate program. 

We seek to understand the creation and production of material culture in the past and present and to ensure its preservation for future generations.

Attracting top research talent

Queen’s is participating in the Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative, one of the most ambitious talent programs in Canadian history.

The initiative will strengthen Queen’s global research leadership and accelerate high-impact, mission-driven discovery.

International recruitment

Turning potential into impact

Queen’s drives innovation and economic impact through a robust research and knowledge-mobilization ecosystem that transforms discovery into real-world solutions.

We combine research excellence, strategic funding, and strong industry and community partnerships to advance commercialization and entrepreneurship.

Innovation and research impact

Research news from Queen's Gazette

an overhead image of a boat driving through green water

Oct 27, 2026

Capturing freshwater research from above

Queen’s graduate researcher Allen Tian uses drones and environmental DNA to study freshwater ecosystems, earning international recognition for his photography along the way.

Oct 26, 2026

New chair advances Engineering for Humanity at Queen’s

At Smith Engineering, Myra Hird will advance interdisciplinary collaboration in teaching and research so engineering can better serve humankind.

Three men and one woman siting in chairs facing each other, performing a séance.

Oct 26, 2026

Glowing ghoul or chemical tool?

The toxic chemistry behind Victorian séances.

See Gazette Articles

Our centres and institutes

Queen's is a global host for cooperative research. Our centres and institutes bring together scholars across disciplines and collaborators from around the world to advance discovery science and address complex local and global challenges in health, materials science, climate change, AI, and more.

Explore Queen's Centres and Institutes