Research Pillars

The research pillars at the U of L transcend disciplinary boundaries and integrate long-standing areas of excellence with emerging areas of inquiry.  Collectively, these pillars of research are the structure upon which the U of L will build and advance its national and international impact. The research themes can be read in their entirety in the 2012-2017 Strategic Research Plan.

Creativity & Performance This pillar recognizes research at the intersection of art, culture and society.  It builds on the University of Lethbridge’s strength in visual arts by incorporating traditional and emerging media, including digital and interactive media.  Through collaborative efforts with other disciplines, research explores the connections of movement and performance, both athletic and artistic, and its implications on group identity and popular culture.
Earth & Environment This research pillar is built on a foundation of understanding the earth, its resources and its sustainability.  The University of Lethbridge has long focused on the issues of sustainability, development and globalization and will continue to explore and resolve the interconnected problems revolving around demographics, economics and environmental sustainability.
Healthy Futures This research pillar is built on an integrated approach to health and wellness that incorporates a range of disciplines including the social sciences, natural sciences, health sciences and education.  Research topics range from the discovery of causes and cures for disease to the health of individuals, families and communities.
Organizations, Culture & Society This pillar of research explores the multifaceted relationships that exist between people, cultures and places and organizations. Our current capabilities are founded on scholarship that seeks to provide insight into how individuals, groups, organizations and institutions relate to one another as well as the ethos and processes that shape society and civilization.   
Origins & Explorations The University of Lethbridge is dedicated to explorations of the most basic questions of life, humanity and the universe. From the origins of human cultures to the creation of galaxies, our researchers probe thought, understanding and reason to provide the numerical, literary and computational discourse to advance theory, critique contemporary and historical frameworks, synthesize new materials, create novel devices, and solve complex problems.