Wicked Problems Lab

We assist in understanding, tracking, and addressing some of the world’s biggest challenges.

How do we rebuild communities after disaster strikes?
What regions and sectors face the greatest threats from the coronavirus pandemic?
Where should we focus infrastructure spending for the greatest return on investment?

We must tackle these questions, and many others whose impacts are felt locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. While there are no easy answers - some questions have no solution at all - we must not ignore them.

The Wicked Problems Lab assists in understanding, tracking, and addressing some of the world’s biggest challenges. The lab is equipped with the latest software and curated datasets and is staffed with a full-time analyst to help address your wicked problem.

We offer the following services to the Saint Mary’s community:

Undergraduate and graduate level problem-based learning activities
Seminars and group training
Self-directed tutorials for data and software, including GIS
One-on-one research help

For more information please e-mail: wickedproblems@smu.ca

The Wicked Problems Lab is generously supported by:
The Windsor Foundation, The Hewitt Foundation, and Dr. Daniel McCarthy BComm'76 DComm'11

Teaching Resources

We focus on developing students’ toolsets which they may apply in a host of real-world situations, including data acquisition, management, and analysis.

Learning Resources

The Wicked Problems Lab provides individual and group training on a host of technologies for the Saint Mary’s community.

Research Resources

Our full-time research analyst is here to help with addressing your Wicked Problem.

Our Research Projects

We aim to provide researchers and students with access to high-quality data from locally in Halifax to the global level.

News and Events

View a complete list of upcoming events.

About Us

We look to harness the power of data and advanced analysis to address the world’s wicked problems.