- Research
Joint research unit between INRS and UQAR unveils its scientific program on the digital transition.
The Joint Research Unit (UMR) Numérique et territoires in Digital Transformation in Support of Regional Development, a joint venture between the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) and the Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR), has unveiled its scientific program. It will focus on responsible and sustainable digital transitions, digital transitions for efficient and resilient organizations, and digital equity and inclusion.
UQAR Rector François Deschênes, INRS Chief Executive Officer Luc-Alain Giraldeau, and some 50 faculty members and partners gathered in Rimouski for the announcement.
“I’m particularly proud to see the INRS-UQAR joint research unit present a scientific program that answers the questions our society is asking about digital transitions. The success of the UMR is undeniable, and that is entirely due to the excellent collaboration between our two establishments.”
Luc-Alain Giraldeau, Chief Executive Officer
“As part of their commitment to regional development, UQAR and INRS are keen to promote digital transitions in a wide range of fields, from education and culture to business and health, to name but a few. UQAR is proud to be part of this unprecedented partnership, which will enable training and research in these key sectors,” says UQAR Rector François Deschênes.
Research driven by interdisciplinarity
Digital transformations create a profound cultural change within communities. This is why INRS and UQAR are employing an interdisciplinary approach that puts not just technology, but above all people, at the heart of their work.
To accomplish this, the UMR has six regular members who specialize in a wide range of fields: Mehdi Adda (UQAR) in IT, Maxime Berger (UQAR) in electrical engineering, Paul Célicourt (INRS) in hydro-informatics, Julia Frotey (INRS) in geography and urbanism, Virginie Hébert (INRS) in communications, and Nancy Michaud (UQAR) in management sciences. They are accompanied by associate members from both universities. Several interdisciplinary research projects are underway, enabling the UMR to help train master’s and Ph.D. students.
“As a professor and researcher, the big advantage of working in a joint research unit is the chance to study issues surrounding digital transformations from different perspectives with colleagues from a variety of disciplines. It opens up new horizons for addressing current social issues,”
Virginie Hébert, Professor at INRS and UMR member
The UMR has secured nearly $2 million in financial support from various national and international organizations. INRS has also been granted recurrent funding by the Quebec government, further testifying to the importance of these societal issues today.
UMR research orientations
Responsible and sustainable digital transitions: Mobilizing digital technologies to support the transition to sustainable practices by individuals, businesses, andpublic and private organizations. This orientation will focus on the sustainable digital development of territories, the sustainable management of natural resources, digital agriculture, the circular economy, and digital sobriety.
Digital transitions for efficient and resilient organizations: Exploring the opportunities offered by digital transformations and how they can help build more efficient and resilient rural communities. This orientation prioritizes a creative element focused on social innovation, putting people first in considerations.
Digital equity and inclusion: Examining the changes in services to citizens enabled by digital transformations. How can we ensure that everyone can participate equitably in a digital society? How can we ensure equity in the face of inequalities in digital access, literacy issues, and territorial digital divides?
A research group rooted in the field
The UMR’s unique approach supports fruitful collaboration between a variety of partners who have a stake in these issues, working in fields like transportation and sustainable mobility, the economy, culture, education, health, and social services. That synergy will give rise to solutions that will undoubtedly prove useful in other parts of Quebec.
The diverse areas of expertise and applications are positioning the UMR as a regional centre of expertise in digital transitions, supporting the development of local communities. For example, UMR members are taking part in a project to use digital technology for precision agriculture in cranberry farming. The project embodies an innovative, multidisciplinary collaboration that integrates both the technical and social aspects of technologies for Quebec agriculture: as it develops tools to optimize nutrient application, the team will be examining socioeconomic barriers and ways to bridge the digital divide among farmers.
Relationships with partners, formed while projects are in their earliest stages, allow the people and organizations with which the UMR collaborates to employ relevant, optimized tools, solutions, and processes. “The interdisciplinary work we are doing with our colleagues and partners allows us to respond to the issues in our community and find realistic avenues,” emphasizes Professor Mehdi Adda of UQAR.