Update on the New, Inclusive Economy
Photo: Anthony Rego
For decades, our economy has been evolving. And as innovation and new technologies continue to proliferate, the rate of change within our workforce and diverse sectors will only intensify.
Technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) will play a major role in our collective future, affecting everything from the workforce, to employment practices and policies, to service delivery and the very nature of work. Research to better understand these types of technologies and their implications will be critical to adapting to this widespread change.
At the same time, as the world continues to face increasingly complex challenges, businesses and sectors will have to develop new solutions to maximize efficiency, sustainability and lasting economic prosperity. Again, research and education will be key drivers of success to help identify and implement technologies that will transform the way we approach these challenges.
As Vice-President (Research and International) at Carleton University, I’m proud to say that this is a strength of Carleton’s. Carleton faculty and students are experts at exploring and applying cutting-edge technologies to strengthen the new economy and imagine better ways of doing things.
An excellent example is health tech. The rising cost of healthcare delivery is putting a massive strain on the economy—a challenge that will only worsen as the population continues to age. Technology offers a solution to improve healthcare efficiency, make service delivery more sustainable, and achieve better health outcomes. Carleton has research strengths in health science, cognition, medical imaging, medical instrumentation, training simulation and technology for aging. We are making advances in these areas that are helping to transform the sector and the entire business model for health delivery.
Students using laparoscopic pediatric training simulator in Canal Building. Photo: Chris Snow Photography
Carleton faculty members are also applying innovative technologies and carrying out research that informs progressive policy to address the climate emergency and help Canada transition to a net-zero future—a shift that will support a thriving economy through the creation of new jobs, increased investments in clean tech, more affordable energy and sustainable economic growth.
Finally, Carleton’s leadership in accessibility is contributing to meaningful economic opportunity. Through efforts like the Accessibility Institute and the Canadian Accessibility Network, Carleton strives to advance accessibility and opportunity for persons with disabilities through research, design and innovation, policy, education and training, and employment. And Carleton’s Accessible Career Transitions (ACT) programming supports students with disabilities in reaching their career goals and assists employers who want to hire more inclusively.
These examples represent a few of the unique ways that Carleton is contributing to the new, inclusive economy within Canada. But there are innumerable other efforts underway through which faculty and staff across the university are making a difference—from investigating how to best support new Canadians in navigating career paths, to using AI to help small businesses comply with labour code requirements, to providing guidance on post-pandemic work preferences and employee satisfaction, to helping students develop entrepreneurial skills through Carleton’s Innovation Hub.
As the economy continues to shift and transform, Carleton faculty, staff and students will continue to develop solutions to adapt to—and drive—change.
We are ready for what the future holds, and we invite you to join us.
Sincerely,
Rafik Goubran
Vice-President (Research and International)