Skip to Content

Arctic Research

Canada’s Arctic is a region of growing environmental, social, and economic importance.

Arctic systems are undergoing rapid transformation due to climate change, evolving transportation routes, and increasing human activity—reshaping northern environments and communities with implications for infrastructure, safety, and long-term sustainability.

At the University of Toronto, Arctic research integrates atmospheric science, environmental monitoring, and northern systems to better understand these changes and inform responses in remote and extreme environments.

Why this matters

Situational awareness
Improves monitoring and understanding of environmental and operational conditions across the Arctic.

Evidence-based decision-making
Supports governments and partners with data and analysis to guide policy, planning, and response.

Resilience in remote environments
Strengthens infrastructure, safety, and community capacity in rapidly changing northern conditions.

Entities

Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL)

Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL)

The Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL) is a world-class High Arctic research facility providing U of T-led ground-based observation of the atmosphere from the surface to the lower thermosphere. Established in 2005 and operated by the Canadian Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Change (CANDAC), PEARL serves as an international flagship observatory supporting long-term […]
Arctic Working Group

Arctic Working Group

The Arctic Working Group (AWG) at the University of Toronto was established in the 1980s to expand the visibility and coordination of northern research across the university. The AWG promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and serves as a central resource for researchers undertaking work in the North, providing guidance on permitting, community engagement, logistics and field operations […]
Multidisciplinary Observatory for Arctic Climate Change and Extreme Events Monitoring (MOACC)

Multidisciplinary Observatory for Arctic Climate Change and Extreme Events Monitoring (MOACC)

The Multidisciplinary Observatory for Arctic Climate Change and Extreme Events Monitoring (MOACC) is a U of T co-led long-term research platform at the Canadian High Arctic Research Station in Cambridge Bay to continuously monitor Arctic climate change, extreme events and surface conditions using multidisciplinary instruments and data streams. It provides a permanent infrastructure for integrated […]

Related news and events

U of T partners with South Korean firm Hanwha Ocean to strengthen Canada’s maritime sovereignty 

NEWS |  March 10, 2026

The agreement offers U of T researchers the opportunity to contribute to real-world solutions that bolster Canada’s maritime security and Arctic capability

Opportunities

Training

BSc: GeoSpatial Data Science

Department of Geography, Geomatics, and Environment, University of Toronto Mississauga

BSc: Environmental Science

Department of Geography, Geomatics, and Environment, University of Toronto Mississauga

BA: Geography

Department of Geography, Geomatics, and Environment, University of Toronto Mississauga
linkchevron-down