Relationships with Regional NGOs and Government for SDG Policy
McMaster University has direct involvement in national and regional government organizations who address UN SDG policy development. By identifying problems and challenges, developing policies and strategies, modelling likely futures with and without interventions, monitoring and reporting on interventions, and enabling adaptive management, McMaster promotes best practices and supports the UN SDG goals.
More equitable and resilient public transit
A McMaster researcher in transportation engineering is developing policy recommendations by identifying how transit systems can be more accessible and sustainable across Canada. The Government of Canada awarded Moataz Mohamed and his team a grant to use unique knowledge-synthesis models to inform which research conducted worldwide can help guide Canadian transit infrastructure development.
Poverty and Employment Precarity in Southern Ontario (PEPSO)
The Poverty and Employment Precarity in Southern Ontario (PEPSO) research project is a joint university-community initiative led by United Way Toronto & York Region and McMaster University. This initiative is a partnership of over 30 university, community sector, labour, government and media partners. Starting in 2010, the goal of the PEPSO project has been to meet the research need of data on trends in precarious employment and to encourage policy debate and further research. PEPSO has successfully met these goals in multiple areas by garnering significant media coverage, influencing and impacting key policy decisions, expanding existing knowledge and serving as a foundation for further research.
PAHO WHO Collaborating Centre
McMaster School of Nursing has been recognized as a PAHO WHO Collaborating Centre. Focused in primary health care (PHC) nursing and health human resources, the Centre works collaboratively with faculty internally at McMaster across various disciplines, and with institutions in the Nursing and Midwifery Global Network. The PAHO/WHO strives to provide universal access to health for all.
McMaster Health Forum – WHO Collaborating Centre
The McMaster WHO Collaborating Centre works to increase the capacity of individual member states and their institutions to make better-informed decisions with regard to healthcare policy and delivery that ultimately improves overall heath throughout the world. The centre works with existing organizations such as research institutes, universities, and academies by providing training and educational activities, such as workshops, methodologies, and supporting the implementation of WHO programs at the country level to ensure that the best available evidence on pressing health-system challenges is incorporated into decision throughout the world.
United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH)
The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) is hosted by McMaster University and aims to help bridge the gap between water development research and policy in the quest to achieve water security.
McMaster University is co-leading one of five interdisciplinary research hubs in Canada to prepare for the next pandemic and ensure the world is ready for the next novel pathogen. The hub is funded through the Canadian government with the aim of accelerating research and development of next-generation vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics and their commercialization, while supporting training to expand the pipeline of skilled talent.
Helping homeless women, trans and gender-diverse individuals
A group of McMaster students worked with local NGOs to develop a playbook to help other communities help women, trans and gender-diverse individuals experiencing homelessness ccess healthcare. Their playbook was presented at the International Conference on Integrated Care in Denmark and caught the attention of community health practitioners from places as far as Spain, Belgium and Holland.
Research, teaching and service for community priorities
McMaster’s Community Engagement office fosters ongoing collaboration between University and regional NGO partners to better understand and consider the issues identified as priorities by local and global communities. The office has a number of programs and initiatives that further excellence in community-campus partnerships that promote many SDGs.
Partnering for carbon-sink forests
The McMaster Carbon Sink Forest initiative will develop a model forest where 1,000 native tree species will be planted to facilitate maximum carbon sink capabilities while also taking into consideration promoting and preserving biodiversity, sustainability, and conservation. A team of faculty and students have partnered with Trees for Hamilton to track the growth and health of each tree for years to come and share this data with other researchers working to grow carbon -sink forests in Canada and around the world.