“Can you love aviation and the planet at the same time?”
That persistent question from students inspired Suzanne Kearns (née Sue Robinson, ’00, ’02) to rethink how she could integrate the biggest challenges facing aviation into research and education. She continues to seek answers that lead to a resounding and sustainable assurance: Yes we can.
“Aviation Was Always Circling Overhead”
Kearns grew up in a small town in Ontario, Canada, under the flight path of the local airport. The sights and sounds of planes overhead set the trajectory for her life. Earning her licenses as a fixed-wing and helicopter pilot led to two Embry-Riddle degrees: a bachelor’s in Aeronautical Science in 2000 and a master’s in Human Factors and Systems Engineering in 2002. In 2007, she earned a Ph.D. in education.
“I asked my parents if I could take lessons, and they signed me up when I was 15. I soloed on my 16th birthday.”
Suzanne (Robinson) Kearns (’00, ’02)
A supportive family established the foundation for her aviation career. “I asked my parents if I could take lessons, and they signed me up when I was 15,” she recalls. “I soloed on my 16th birthday.” By 17, she had completed her fixed-wing private pilot’s license and a rotary-wing license. This blend of personal ambition and familial support became the bedrock upon which she built her career.
Small-Town Enthusiast to Global Influencer
After earning her master’s degree, Kearns returned to Canada as the country was inaugurating its first university-based aviation program. She joined Western University in 2004 and later the University of Waterloo in 2016 as an associate professor in the Faculty of Environment. Her research has since focused on aviation human factors, pilot training and the use of e-learning in aviation.
“I was one of the few people in Canada who had flight training and a master’s degree,” she notes. Her early appointment at Western marked the beginning of a distinguished academic career that has spanned more than two decades.
Over those decades, Dr. Kearns has been deeply invested in supporting the next generation in aviation through innovative teaching and research. Her commitment to sustainability is reflected in her work at the University
of Waterloo, where she addresses industry-wide challenges through multidisciplinary research.
“It’s not just about the environmental impact; it’s about incorporating insights from economics, social sciences, engineering and beyond to create a holistic understanding of what sustainable aviation means.”
Suzanne (Robinson) Kearns (’00, ’02)
A Pandemic Pause Redefined Progress
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted Kearns to rethink the future of aviation. “We started thinking about what the biggest threats are facing the future of aviation and what a university could do to be in service to the aviation industry,” she reflects. The question about loving both aviation and the planet highlighted an inherent contradiction that had not been fully addressed within the industry.
Recognizing the pressing need to reconcile this conflict, she founded the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA) in 2021. The Institute’s mission is to tackle these challenges by promoting social, environmental and economic sustainability in aviation. “The focus is to optimize the good — social and economic benefits of aviation — while reducing and working to eliminate the environmental harm,” she explains.
Kearns emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in expanding the definition of sustainability. “It’s not just about the environmental impact; it’s about incorporating insights from economics, social sciences, engineering and beyond to create a holistic understanding of what sustainable aviation means,” she says.
So Much More than Carbon Emissions
For a contemporary aviation industry, Kearns believes that true sustainability extends beyond just reducing emissions. It includes creating a supportive ecosystem where pilots, engineers and ground staff are well-trained and equipped to maintain and operate advanced, environmentally friendly aircraft. This approach aims to ensure that technological advancements translate into real-world environmental benefits.
Her holistic perspective is a balance of idealism and pragmatism. She believes the evolution of aviation has always depended on a delicate balance between cutting-edge technology and skilled human resources. “If you had a perfectly green aircraft that produced no emissions but didn’t have anyone to fly it or maintain it, the benefits could never be realized,” she emphasizes.
This comprehensive view underscores the necessity of integrating technological innovation with human expertise and operational practicality.
An Honor to Teach
In a distinguished career marked by numerous accolades, including the Top 20 Under 40 in Canadian Aviation and Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada, her recognition as a teacher means the most to Kearns. In 2021, she was honored with the Distinguished Teacher Award from the University of Waterloo.
As the aviation industry looks toward the future, Kearns’ philosophy serves as a reminder that sustainability is not just about the machines we build, but also about the people who build, operate and maintain them. It’s a call to foster an integrated approach where technology and human expertise go hand in hand, ensuring that the environmental promises of tomorrow’s aircraft are fully realized.