A strategic interuniversity cluster

The Centre d'études nordiques (CEN), founded in 1961, is a strategic interuniversity cluster supported financially by FRQNT between Université Laval, Université du Québec à Rimouski and the Centre Eau, Terre et Environnement of the Institut national de la recherche scientifique. It also includes members from Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Université de Sherbrooke, Université de Montréal, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Université du Québec à Montréal, l'École de Technologie Supérieure (Montréal), McGill University, Concordia University and Cégep F-X Garneau. Today, the CEN brings together more than 300 researchers, students, trainees and professionals from various disciplines (biology and microbiology, geography, geology, engineering, archaeology, land use planning).

CEN's mission

CEN's mission is to contribute to the sustainable development of northern regions by improving our understanding of these environments and our ability to predict the changes that affect them. In partnership with the scientific, government, Indigenous and industrial communities at the national and international levels, CEN generates fundamental and applied knowledge in order to develop expertise adapted to northern regions and to propose strategies for adapting to the impacts of climate and environmental change in cold environments. CEN trains highly qualified professionals to meet the challenges posed by the dual context of global warming and the accelerated socio-economic development of the North. CEN co-produces knowledge with northern communities and organizations to contribute to education and socio-cultural well-being and to address local concerns.

Areas of intervention of CEN

The following list summarizes the main areas of CEN intervention in arctic/subarctic, alpine and ice-exposed environments.

• Dynamics of the permafrosted physical environment;
• Natural and geomechanical risks;
• Coastal dynamics and resilience;
• Evolution of landscapes;
• Paleo-environmental reconstruction;
• Interactions between climate, biogeochemical cycles and aquatic and terrestrial systems;
• Exchange of energy and materials between environmental compartments;
• Structure and functioning of ecosystems;
• Remote sensing applied to geo-ecosystems;
• Water cycle and groundwater management;
• Responsible management of renewable and non-renewable natural resources;
• Development of renewable energy adapted to the North;
• Man-environment relationship and culture of adaptation of the peoples of the North