CREATING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE TOGETHER
The future of aviation, space, and aerospace is full of possibilities. But it’s also full of complexity. Addressing major social, economic, and environmental challenges requires innovation and collaborative partnerships.
That's what we do best at WISA.
Acknowledgment of traditional territory
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within the Office of Indigenous Relations.
Our mission
To be the world’s leading hub for sustainable aeronautical research, technology, and education. We mobilize the transdisciplinary research capacity of the University of Waterloo's six faculties to drive meaningful and lasting change within the aviation, aerospace, and space industries.
Our vision
To foster transdisciplinary inquiry, cross-sector partnerships, and experiential education that creates innovative solutions, informs public policy, and supports a sustainable future for the aviation, aerospace, and space industries.
Our strategy
By facilitating direct partnerships with industry, government, and academia, we develop solutions and outcomes that respond directly to the sustainability challenges of the air transport sector.
Research focus
Researchers at WISA develop innovative solutions, tools, and practices to create a viable future for air transport. In our work, sustainability has three pillars of equal importance:
SOCIAL
ENVIRONMENTAL
ECONOMIC
Our research and innovation address all three pillars – and the interconnections between them – to create meaningful, long-term solutions.
Our top research priorities align our members’ research strengths and capacity with areas of optimal impact:
- Additive manufacturing
- Cognitive psychology
- Computer modelling
- Human factors and training
- Nanotechnology
- Sustainable transportation
- Vision and performance
“Sustainable transportation is a global priority and we applaud WISA's education, research, and policy leadership in the aeronautics sector. The secured FedDev Ontario funding supports cutting-edge research in sustainable aeronautics and the development of new training facilities in partnership with the Waterloo Region International Airport and Waterloo-Wellington Flight Centre. In turn, this work will continue to attract high-calibre students to the Faculty of Environment's Geography and Aviation program who share our passion for excellence in aviation education and training, and also our commitment to the future of the planet.”
Dr. Bruce Frayne
Dean, Faculty of Environment
Our impact by the numbers
WISA people
WISA members representing all six Waterloo faculties
global aeronautics champions leading our Advisory Committee
full-time staff members
casual and part-time staff members
Industry
confirmed industry partnerships directly with WISA, including several airlines and leading aeronautical organizations
industry and government research partners collaborating directly with WISA membership
Research funding
Confirmed:
from diverse government and industry partners
Applied for/pending:
in grants submitted with results pending
Education
inaugural Collaborative Aeronautics Program (CAP) cohort
graduate students engaged in research with WISA members
undergraduate student pilots
learners in professional development e-learning courses
WISA's reach
website visitors from over 170 countries since 2021
followers across WISA social media platforms
impactful annual events bridging academia and industry: Annual General Meeting and Sustainable Aeronautics Summit
“A larger part of my research involves the development of numerical methods for problems in aerospace and so joining WISA was very natural for me. WISA provides me with the opportunity to connect with and interact with other faculty at the University of Waterloo that have the same research interests.”
