Update on Resuming Research at Laurier

Laurier is taking a phased approach to restarting research that was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, largely based on the guidance of the provincial government and local public health officials. New safety protocols and procedures are being developed to assure the safety of students, faculty and staff.

At this time, the university is accepting requests from faculty to resume research in the next two phases of the Resumption of Research Plan: Phase 1B and Phase 2. There is no date set for launching either phase yet, as the timing depends on the success of Phase 1A (which is restricted to approved research within the Science building and the Centre for Cold Regions and Water Science on Laurier’s Waterloo campus) and the evolving public health situation. Phase 1B will precede Phase 2.

In Phase 1B, research activity will expand beyond the Science building and the CCRWS. Permitted research will include:

• Research that, if paused further, would negatively impact the ability of a graduate student to complete program requirements within the next three months and requires minimal on-site work/time to complete.

No face-to-face, human-participant research will be permitted in Phase 1B.

In Phase 2, permitted research will include:​

• Research that, if paused further, would negatively impact the ability of a graduate student to complete program requirements within the next six months and requires minimal on-site work/time to complete.

Face-to-face, human-participant research may be permitted in Phase 2 if the above considerations apply, and if the public health situation at the time allows for it. Additional factors considered:

• Vulnerability of participant population.
• Capacity to adhere to all COVID-19-related safety protocols. 

If your research meets the above requirements, please connect with your faculty supervisor, who can submit a request form. All requests to resume on-campus research during Phase 1B and Phase 2 must be submitted by Tuesday, June 30, 2020. 

Field research will continue to be prohibited. However, exemptions to permit field research may be approved for work that does not involve:

• distant travel;
• travel together in the same vehicle;
• overnight stays; or
• contact with the public. 

If you feel that your field research meets these criteria, speak to your faculty supervisor.