BROCK UNIVERSITY

Their core work

Brock University is a Canadian public university in St. Catharines, Ontario, contributing specialized expertise to European research consortia in two distinct domains: geochemistry (trace element and isotope analysis of marine carbonates) and social sciences (digital literacy in early education, and social geography focused on gender and reproductive rights). Their H2020 involvement is exclusively through mobility and excellence programmes (Marie Skłodowska-Curie and ERC), reflecting their role as an international academic partner bringing non-European perspectives to collaborative research.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Brock's H2020 trajectory shows a striking pivot from natural sciences to social sciences. Their early involvement (2015-2017) centred on hard-science geochemistry — isotope analysis, mass spectrometry, and deep-time marine environment reconstruction. By 2017-2019, they shifted entirely toward education and social justice research, with projects on early childhood digital literacy and LGBTQ+ rights. This suggests a broadening of the university's international research ambitions beyond its traditional science departments.

Brock is moving toward social sciences and equity-focused research in its European collaborations, making them a relevant partner for Horizon Europe projects on inclusive societies and social innovation.

How they like to work

Brock University has never coordinated an H2020 project — consistent with their position as a non-EU institution that cannot lead most EU-funded actions. They participate as a partner or third party, contributing specific expertise to larger consortia. Despite only three projects, they have worked with 40 unique partners across 19 countries, indicating they integrate into broad, multi-national networks rather than maintaining a narrow set of repeat collaborators.

Brock has collaborated with 40 partners across 19 countries through just 3 projects, reflecting their participation in large MSCA training networks and RISE mobility schemes that involve many institutions. Their network is geographically diverse but thin — broad reach without deep repeat partnerships.

What sets them apart

As a Canadian university, Brock offers a non-European perspective that is valuable for projects requiring international benchmarking or transatlantic research dimensions. Their unusual combination of geochemistry lab capabilities and social science expertise means they can contribute to very different types of consortia. For coordinators seeking an associated country partner with English-language capacity and North American networks, Brock is a practical choice.

Highlights from their portfolio

• BeyondOpposition
  Their only directly funded H2020 project (EUR 272,812 via ERC-COG), running until 2025, making it their longest and most substantial European engagement.
• BASE-LiNE Earth
  Large MSCA-ITN training network on marine geochemistry — represents Brock's contribution of analytical chemistry expertise to a major European research training programme.