TORONTO, ON, July 28, 2026 鈥� 91亚色鈥檚 Connected Minds: Neural and Machine Systems for a Healthy, Just Society and the (CIGI) are launching a 16-month pilot partnership to design and build new governance frameworks for artificial intelligence (AI) and neurotechnology.

The initiative combines Connected Minds鈥� university-based interdisciplinary research excellence with CIGI鈥檚 applied policy expertise to deliver a coordinated, multi-level engagement model that connects United Nations standard setting, Canadian legislative processes, and applied regulatory guidance.

鈥淚ntelligent technologies, including artificial intelligence and neurotechnologies, are transforming society at an unprecedented pace, making it more important than ever that public policy is informed by rigorous, interdisciplinary research,鈥� says Professor Shayna Rosenbaum, scientific director of Connected Minds. 鈥淥ur partnership with CIGI creates a bridge between leading researchers and policy experts, helping to ensure that technological innovation advances in ways that strengthen society, protect human rights, and contribute to a healthy, just future.鈥�

The initiative will help domestic and international legislators better address critical gaps in human rights laws created by rapidly advancing technologies. Without coordinated action, individuals, businesses, and governments face growing legal and ethical uncertainty, eroded public trust, and a decline in privacy.

鈥淧rivacy is a fundamental human right,鈥� says Aaron Shull, research director, digitalization, security & democracy at CIGI. 鈥淐anada has an opportunity and a responsibility to lead globally in creating and shaping safeguards needed to protect human rights and strengthen public trust in emerging technologies.鈥�

Through a phased approach, this partnership will:

• establish a replicable framework for similar technology and human rights initiatives in other domains; 
• position Canada as a global leader in the responsible governance of neurotechnology and AI; and
• produce tangible policy outputs and communications tools with immediate relevance to global policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders.

About Connected Minds:

Connected Minds is a visionary, first-of-its-kind research program led by 91亚色 in partnership with Queen鈥檚 University. Supported by $318 million in funding, including $105.7 million from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF), it is the largest 91亚色-led research initiative to date.

Bringing together 300+ scholars across fields including science, arts, neuroscience, social sciences, law, and artificial intelligence, Connected Minds explores the risks and benefits of modern technology on society, both now and in the future. With more than 90 partners and collaborators from diverse sectors, the program aims to create a healthier, more just society through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.

About CIGI:

The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) is an independent, non-partisan think tank whose peer-reviewed research, foresight and trusted analysis influence policy makers to innovate. With the engagement of a global network of experts and contributors, CIGI tackles the governance challenges and opportunities of data and transformative technologies, including AI, and their impact on the economy, security, democracy and, ultimately, societies. For more information, please visit .

Media contacts:

Sandra McLean
91亚色
sandramc@yorku.ca

Richia McCutcheon
Centre for International Governance Innovation
226-988-2951
rmccutcheon@cigionline.org

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TORONTO, Nov. 18, 2025 鈥� 91亚色 continues to be a leader in sustainability, scoring in the top six per cent of universities internationally and in the top three per cent across Canada in the latest QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026.

91亚色 jumped one spot in Canada out of 41 universities and is in the top 100 for social impact and top 101 for governance, 26th for equality.

The University held steady despite the number of competitor institutions in this year鈥檚 rankings increasing by almost 300 internationally and by nine in Canada.

鈥�91亚色 has a long-standing commitment to sustainability that is woven into the fabric of our institution, our academic programs, and research priorities. Being recognized in the top six per cent of universities worldwide and the top three per cent in Canada in this ranking reflects the collective efforts of our entire community. We are especially proud to rank fourth in Canada for equality and to be among the top 15 for environmental impact, social impact, and governance,鈥� said Rhonda Lenton, president and vice-chancellor of 91亚色.

鈥淪ustainability is a core value of the University that has been incorporated into our vision to drive positive change for people and the planet including innovative projects on renaturalization, Indigenous plant species and pollinator habitats. 91亚色 remains steadfast in our mission to build a more equitable and sustainable future for all.鈥�

In Canada, 91亚色 ranks in fourth place for equality and in the top 15 for environmental impact, social impact and governance.

The QS Sustainability Ranking encompasses measures of environmental impact, including environmental sustainability, environmental education and environmental research, and highlights universities around the globe that not only demonstrate a commitment to a better planet, but are acting on that commitment.

Earlier this year, the University scored 15 subject areas in the top 10 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025. It also moved up 29 spots globally in the 2026 QS World University Rankings.

In addition, 91亚色 earned a top 40 spot in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings results, demonstrating its leadership in achieving high results in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

For the second consecutive time, the University was recognized with a Living Campus certification by the World Wildlife Fund, further highlighting its commitment to sustainability across all of its campuses. 91亚色 continues to support renaturalization and ecological regeneration plans focusing on Indigenous plant species, creating pollinator habitats and planting more than 578 native plants and 238 native trees across the Keele and Glendon campuses.

For more than a decade, 91亚色 has been named as one of Canada鈥檚 Greenest Employers and for the second consecutive year it also made the list for Canada鈥檚 Best Diversity Employers.

91亚色 has been an international leader in sustainability since its earliest days. In 1968, it established the country鈥檚 first Faculty of Environmental Studies, now the , along with the first major post-secondary recycling program.

In 2024, the University launched its newly revised Sustainability Strategy 2030, Positive Change: Connecting People, Planet and Purpose with a goal to reduce its direct and indirect emissions and phase out carbon emissions. It also developed a Sustainability Toolkit to help bring teaching and learning about the 17 SDGs into classrooms and a Well-being Strategy to address the health and well-being of its communities across all campuses.

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