ÉTS Research—Striving to Serve the Common Good
Research should serve the common good, whether it’s addressing climate issues or ensuring population health and the well-being of people with a loss of independence. That’s why it’s important to create the right conditions for knowledge to flow freely, not only between academic disciplines, but also between all actors of society. This is how research can successfully address our society’s key challenges.
Climate action
There is a consensus concerning climate urgency and the fact that the effects of climate change are now inevitable. The ÉTS research community is studying, modelling, and planning for these changes to help people adapt and become resilient. To go beyond impact reduction and focus on creating value, researchers advocate approaches based on sustainable industrialization, energy transition, and a circular economy.
Health and wellness
Good health at every stage of life requires a holistic approach that includes not only treating illnesses, but also preventing them. Achieving this requires health promotion strategies that focus on both the physical and psychological aspects of human health. To create the health technologies of tomorrow, the ÉTS research community draws on a wide range of engineering expertise and works closely with people who have complementary experience from living laboratories.
Security and accessibility
Efficient and reliable systems are required not only to ensure the security of humans and IT systems, but to ensure food and economic security as well. These systems help raise standards of living and provide more equitable access to resources, such as drinking water in developing regions, digital and smart infrastructure in cities, and telemedicine services in remote areas. ÉTS believes that technology can help bring about a more just, safe, and caring world for everyone, both locally and globally.
Creativity, collaboration, and entrepreneurship
Creativity, collaboration, and entrepreneurship are intertwined, and they’re all needed to solve complex problems. It’s about creating a culture shift and working together. That’s why ÉTS encourages innovation and audacity through an integrated, interdisciplinary, and intersectoral approach, so great ideas can be transformed into impactful solutions.
Nine strategic research fields
To support ongoing efforts in these four key orientations, ÉTS draws on the expertise of its researchers in nine strategic fields: