This text is part of the special notebook 55 years of INRS
The National Institute for Scientific Research (INRS) is a strange creature. However, its role is clear: to contribute to the social, economic and cultural development of Quebec — a mission that the institute has fulfilled for 55 years.
In order to explain how INRS works, the director general, Luc-Alain Giraldeau, compares it to universities which are “places of generation and teaching of all knowledge. » At the time of the creation of the Institute, in 1969, Quebec universities were more oriented towards the liberal professions and philosophy or theology, he recalls. INRS is then designed as a space to bring together experts from various disciplines around research themes, which themselves will be chosen based on the major challenges facing Quebec. Urbanization, water, energy are in the spotlight.
Focusing research on community needs
To ensure that the research carried out at INRS indeed corresponds to the needs of society, each research center of the Institute must establish a five-year scientific program. “Reflection on this program begins within a liaison committee made up entirely of people external to INRS, who are users of the knowledge that we generate,” explains the general director. Around the table are gathered representatives of companies or ministries and former students. In short: “the world we are supposed to serve”.
Thanks to this representation of people in the field, the scientific program is oriented according to real needs: what research would be useful to society? What expertise should students have? “This is what ensures we remain relevant,” explains Luc-Alain Giraldeau.
The INRS is undoubtedly relevant. The director general is proud to see his institute ranked first in research intensity, that is to say for the funding received by the professoriate, in Canada, in 2023.
Always aim higher
The mission of INRS is particularly evident in the research activities that take place within the four centers deployed across Quebec. “We are a polyglot institute, we can go everywhere! says the general manager animatedly. Our research centers are interested in urbanization, health, the physics of materials, the environment…” For him, INRS plays an essential role in “seeking solutions” to the concerns affecting Quebec. “It is normal for society to have problems to resolve, a society is complicated. We ask ourselves the question: how to resolve them? »
However, he regrets to see that, since its foundation, the Institute’s budget has not been increased – even though the “most expensive students to train” are evolving within it. “As a Quebecer, it insults me a little that we created something so precious and neglect it. » He points out in particular the fact that the teaching staff has not changed in size, amounting to 150 professors.
To this have recently been added 15 new positions, created following the establishment of the new Joint Research Units (UMR), deployed in Quebec universities in order to offer a “ boost of researchers” to these institutions, to help them become “even better known” in a given field. Five research centers have been developed: cybersecurity, digital transformation in support of regional development, sustainable health, indigenous studies and materials and technologies for the energy transition.
Another glimmer of hope for INRS: a fifth research center, specializing in “urban rural areas”, could soon see the light of day in Baie-Saint-Paul. “When we talk about rurality, we often talk about regional development, as if the solution to the problems of a small town was to make a bigger one. » He hopes to train people capable of playing the role of scientific advisor to elected officials, at their level.
For the Director General, there is no doubt that INRS is called upon to play an essential role in the future development of the province. “The Institute was created and thought through by original people who had vision. » Under his leadership, this vision is still as relevant today.
INRS in a few figures
This content was produced by the Special Publications team at Duty, relating to marketing. The writing of the Duty did not take part.