About CEN

The Centre d'études nordiques (CEN) is a research centre involving three academic institutions, the Université Laval, the Université du Québec à Rimouski and the Centre Eau, Terre et Environnement of the Institut national de la recherche scientifique. CEN researchers are also found at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières and at the Université de Sherbrooke. At the Université Laval, six departments are involved (Biology, Botany, Geography, Geology, History and Land Use Planning). CEN membership comprises approximately thirty researchers, more than one hundred graduate students and twenty employees.

CEN's mission is to contribute to the sustainable development of northern regions by way of an improved understanding of environmental change. CEN researchers analyze the evolution of northern environments in the context of climate warming and accelerated socio-economic change and train highly qualified personnel in the analysis and management of cold region ecosystems and geosystems. In partnership with government, industry and northern communities, CEN plays a pivotal role in environmental stewardship and development of the circumpolar North.

The director is Warwick F. Vincent and the co-director is Monique Bernier