As societies grapple with increasingly complex challenges, they rely on strong, transparent governance and public policy to function and succeed. Laurier researchers seek to understand these political, economic, social and security issues in order to increase our capacity to deal with them.
Learn more in the Laurier Strategic Research Plan 2025-2030.
As a partner in the Balsillie School of International Affairs, Laurier plays a prominent role in research and in educating the next generation of policymakers.
The Laurier Institute for the Study of Public Opinion and Policy investigates public opinion and election polling, while the Laurier Centre for Economic Research and Policy Analysis brings together professional economists, government bodies and community stakeholders to advance our collective understanding of economic trends, policy applications and social issues.
Laurier’s International Migration Research Centre is one of Canada’s leading centres for research on topics such as migrant work, borders, displacement, detention and newcomer settlement.
Focused on the complexities of migration, mobility, displacement, and borders at local, regional and global scales, researchers are dedicated to innovating migration governance through rigorous, human rights-based scholarship.
Researchers aim to understand and address critical issues such as income inequality, trade policy, employment, health care, housing, food and agriculture, education and social welfare, focusing on how individuals and organizations make decisions and respond to incentives within the societal framework and across international borders.
This research area combines the study of decision-making processes and governance structures within governmental, for-profit and non-profit organizations. This interdisciplinary field aims to understand and enhance the factors that contribute to organizational success, resilience and ethical integrity.
Exploring the intricate relationships between technology and society, researchers investigate how technology impacts social dynamics and addresses the political, economic, governance and policy implications of technological advancements. Scholars aim to develop informed policies that guide technological integration in ways that benefit society as a whole.
Researchers assess how well Canada navigates regional, national and global contexts marked by profound political, socio-cultural, economic and environmental shifts. They examine how Canadian governments address challenges, including trade, foreign relations, climate change and immigration, using public policy tools.
Research in this area explores how public opinion, an often unpredictable phenomenon, constrains and shapes public policy, highlighting the limitations, opportunities and strengths within this dynamic interplay.
In an era of rapid globalization, researchers analyze the creation and impact of public policy that influences global conflict and security, highlighting how to mitigate threats and promote stability in an interconnected world.
By examining how governance structures and ethical considerations intersect with social responsibility, researchers aim to develop strategies that enhance organizational contributions to societal well-being and sustainability.
