Our foundations
Queen’s history of discovery and innovation has shaped the foundations of knowledge in Canada and around the world. It is a more than 180-year legacy of which we are proud. As a leading research-intensive university, we have built synergies among researchers, communities, governments, and industry.
Our researchers are in the pursuit of knowledge creation across the humanities and social sciences, health and medicine, and natural sciences and engineering. Our globally recognized research institutes investigate the mysteries of the universe and are at the forefront of materials science.
Within our local communities of Kingston and Eastern Ontario, Queen’s contributes to economic and social productivity, innovation, and prosperity. Our research ecosystem generates ideas and talent and leverages state-of-the-art facilities to address challenges facing Canada. These ideas don’t just remain inside of the university: Queen’s has ~70 active technology license agreements at a given time, files 15–20 new patents each year, and supports ~80 startups on a regular basis.
"At Queen’s, we approach society’s most pressing problems with curiosity, creativity, and determination. Our researchers are exploring new ways to understand the world.
Our Strategic Research Plan describes the areas where Queen’s is uniquely positioned for national and international impact, and that require ongoing, focused effort to ensure our continued leadership. In championing an ecosystem that allows for agility and responsiveness, we create the conditions for new research strengths to emerge. We are committed to fostering a vibrant and diverse scholarly community, supporting every ambitious researcher in reaching their goals.”
Dr. Nancy Ross
Vice-Principal Research
Our vision
Today’s global problems are multifaceted and complex with new research frontiers to explore. Breakthroughs that solve problems and expand knowledge require us to collapse traditional silos, think creatively, and push boundaries.
Our goal is to advance research and knowledge mobilization that is global and grounded in mutually beneficial partnerships.
Our vision is to create the conditions for transformational research at Queen’s.
The Strategic Research Plan (2025-2030) presents an opportunity to articulate a vision for the advancement of our research community’s ambitions.
Read the full planOur community
Queen’s strength is our people. Since 1841, the university's success and influence on the world have been fueled by the energy and commitment of its faculty, staff, and s tudents. Uniting our community is a passion for research and scholarship – whether fundamental, applied, or community-based.
The Queen’s research community comprises:
- Six academic faculties and schools
- Two affiliated teaching hospitals
- More than 850 faculty members
- More than 450 clinician scientists
- Thousands of research-driven undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers
Importantly, the Queen’s research ecosystem is enriched by a diversity of perspectives. We recognize the interconnected paths of research and learning and their close relationships to identity. By incorporating diverse ways of knowing and being, we enhance our research community and scholarship through the lens and values of Indigenization – Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Anti-Racism, and Accessibility (I-EDIAA).
These perspectives shape the questions we ask and our understanding of the world around us.