Dalhousie University | Oceans - Universities Canada

Dalhousie University | Oceans

Key facilities

Steele Ocean Sciences Building: Officially opened in 2013, the Steele Ocean Sciences Building is a
one-of-a-kind space that clusters ocean experts and innovators under one roof.

Mobile marine research labs: Dalhousie’s state-of-the-art mobile marine research labs and platforms, housed in a unique container bay in the Steele Ocean Sciences Building, allow us to explore, discover, track and predict the ocean environment in innovative and influential ways.

Aquatron Laboratory: The Aquatron Laboratory is the centrepiece of Dalhousie’s marine and aquatic research endeavours, and is the largest, most versatile university aquatic research facility in Canada.

Major collaborations

Ocean Frontier Institute: The Ocean Frontier Institute is an international hub for ocean research, and brings experts together from both sides of the North Atlantic to harness the vast potential of the world’s ocean.

CERC.OCEAN: CERC.OCEAN is a world-class research program that observes, understands, and predicts biogeochemical and ecological change in the ocean.

Ocean Tracking Network (OTN): The Ocean Tracking Network is the world’s most comprehensive examination of marine life in relation to ocean conditions. The work is carried out by a diverse array of researchers drawn from academia, government, and local communities, and is highly integrated both logistically and scientifically.

Marine Environmental Observation Prediction and Response Network (MEOPAR): Created through the federal government’s Networks of Centres of Excellence program, MEOPAR is building Canada’s capacity to anticipate and respond to marine risk.

Researchers

Dr. Sara Iverson, Professor, Department of Biology and Scientific Director, Ocean Tracking Network. Dr. Iverson’s research focuses on how animals adapt to and exploit their environments, and the physiological and biochemical mechanisms which constrain or provide opportunities for them to do so.
Dr. Douglas Wallace, Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Ocean Science and Technology. Dr. Wallace leads a research team working to help predict and prepare for the threats the world’s ocean system is facing, by examining the causes and consequences of recent changes and building tools to detect and address them.
Dr. Megan Bailey, CRC Tier 2 in Integrated Ocean and Coastal Governance
Dr. Bailey works with partners in Canada, the United States, Europe, Indonesia, the Philippines, Fiji, Vietnam, and Australia to promote cooperation in overseeing fisheries through greater understanding of the roles played by governments, NGOs, and consumers in the sustainable seafood movement.

Special programs and work integrated learning initiatives

Dalhousie’s strategic research direction is grounded in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030, and features signature research clusters, one of which is Sustainable Ocean. (SDGs 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 & 17).
Ocean School: A joint initiative between Dalhousie and the National Film Board of Canada, Ocean School is a ground-breaking educational and public engagement program to foster ocean literacy: our understanding of the ocean’s influence on us, and our influence on the ocean.
The Ocean Supercluster: Officially announced in February 2018, the Ocean Supercluster will foster new partnerships with industry, post-secondary, government, and other partners, to accelerate innovation and commercialization and to drive increased sustainable economic growth from our oceans.

University-industry research partnerships