LAKEHEAD UNIVERSITY

Their core work

Lakehead University is a Canadian university based in Thunder Bay, Ontario, contributing specialized research expertise to European consortia in earth sciences, paleontology, and clean energy. Their H2020 involvement centers on deep-time geochemistry (studying Earth's earliest biological events through metal isotopes), human evolutionary biomechanics, and biomass-to-energy conversion with carbon capture. They serve as a non-European specialist partner bringing niche analytical capabilities — particularly in geobiology and micro-computed tomography — to internationally distributed research teams.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Lakehead's early H2020 work (2017-2019) was rooted in fundamental earth sciences — geobiology, paleoredox conditions, and metal isotope geochemistry — alongside initial involvement in biomass energy. Their later projects (2019-2020 onward) shifted toward applied topics: human evolutionary analysis using advanced imaging techniques and clean hydrogen-metal energy systems. This suggests a broadening from purely geological deep-time research toward both biomedical imaging applications and clean energy technologies.

Lakehead is expanding from fundamental geosciences toward applied clean energy and advanced imaging techniques, making them increasingly relevant for energy transition and biomedical research consortia.

How they like to work

Lakehead exclusively participates as a partner or third party — they have never coordinated an H2020 project, which is expected for a non-EU institution. With 37 unique consortium partners across 17 countries from just 4 projects, they operate in large, internationally diverse consortia. Their role is that of a specialist contributor bringing specific analytical capabilities rather than driving project direction.

Despite only 4 projects, Lakehead has built a remarkably broad network of 37 partners across 17 countries, reflecting the large consortium sizes typical of MSCA-RISE and ERC-linked projects. Their reach spans well beyond the EU into a truly global collaboration footprint.

What sets them apart

As a Canadian university participating in European research, Lakehead offers a rare intercontinental bridge for consortia seeking non-EU partners with strong earth science and energy credentials. Their combination of deep-time geochemistry, fossil biomechanics, and clean energy research is unusually interdisciplinary — few single institutions span from Precambrian geobiology to hydrogen energy systems. For consortium builders, they provide a credible international dimension with genuine scientific depth rather than token participation.

Highlights from their portfolio

• EARTHBLOOM
  Their largest funded project (EUR 131,250), investigating Earth's earliest biological bloom through an integrated geochemical and geobiological approach — a fundamental science topic with few comparable studies.
• NewHuman
  Combines micro-computed tomography with biomechanical analysis of fossils to trace human evolutionary origins, bridging advanced imaging technology with paleoanthropology.
• BIOMASS-CCU
  Targets negative carbon emissions through biomass gasification with CO2 capture and utilisation — directly relevant to current climate policy priorities.