CBU Strategic Research Plan 2026-2030

Research is what animates us. The curiosity, creativity, and intellectual energy of our researchers make CBU a vibrant and forward-looking institution. The CBU Strategic Research Plan 2026-2030 reflects this spirit, bringing together our strongest research directions and setting clear priorities to guide decision-making over the next five years.

The plan is designed to ensure the university has the capacity to support research effectively and the confidence to showcase it proudly. We are committed to welcoming new faculty into a strong and supportive research culture, nurturing the growth of early- and mid-career researchers, and advancing the work of established scholars. While the plan identifies priority infrastructure, themes, and approaches, it remains firmly grounded in the principle of academic freedom.

Our size is our strength. CBU is small enough to foster close collaboration across campus, yet big enough to engage deeply with communities across Cape Breton, Unama’ki, and beyond. Our research ranges from projects that require significant infrastructure and investment, to community-driven initiatives built on trust and partnership, to scholarship shaped by reflection and quiet study.

All research matters at CBU. We foster research excellence and promote equity, diversity, and inclusion as central to a thriving research environment. Rooted in Cape Breton and connected to the world, Cape Breton University is building a reputation as a university of discovery, impact, and world-class expertise—regionally, nationally, and globally.