A LAND-BASED EDUCATIONAL FILM SERIES: SUPPORTING DECOLONIZATION AND UNDERSTANDING IN THE SFU COMMUNITY

A land-based educational film series was developed to support decolonization efforts. The series aimed to provide educators and learners with resources that centered Indigenous perspectives and knowledge within educational curricula. Through a series of films, viewers were guided on a journey to explore Indigenous ways of knowing and understanding the land. These resources were designed to contribute to the broader goal of decolonizing education and promoting reconciliation. The article highlighted the significance of incorporating land-based learning approaches in education to foster deeper connections with Indigenous cultures and histories.

Also supports: Making a Difference for B.C., Program and Curriculum Renewal, Assessment, and Improvement (Academic Plan), Indigenization and Decolonization (Academic Plan)

SOLH TEMEXW TE SIWES: CONNECTING PEOPLE AND PLACES IN STS’AILES TRADITIONAL LANDS – A DIFFERENT KIND OF LEARNING

In partnership with the Sts’ailes Nation, the Faculty of Environment co-developed and launched a new field course based on three principles of Indigenous ways of sharing knowledge: learning on the land is the most meaningful way to gain knowledge; Indigenous ways of knowing cross disciplinary boundaries of typical academia; relationships with the land and other beings should be reciprocal. This course is part of the Faculty’s Sea, Land and Sky Indigenization Initiative which aims to impart an appreciation and deep understanding of the complexity and significance of land and, by extension, the environment as a source of knowledge.

Also supports: Transforming the SFU Experience, Program and Curriculum Renewal, Assessment, and Improvement (Academic Plan), Indigenization and Decolonization (Academic Plan)

SFU DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR, ANNE SALOMON, TAKES A NEW APPROACH TO BUILDING RESILIENT COASTAL COMMUNITIES

Anne Salomon, a leading applied marine ecologist and social-ecological system scientist in the School of Resource and Environmental Management, works across disciplines and alongside communities to explore the resilient relationship between people and other components of nature. In partnership with Indigenous knowledge holders, fishers, artists and more, her research focuses on co-creating and mobilizing ecologically effective and socially just conservation and management strategies for our oceans, shifting the way we understand and care for our coastal ecosystems.

Also supports: Transforming the SFU Experience, Indigenization and Decolonization (Academic Plan), Strengthening Democracy, Justice, Equity, and Education (Strategic Research Plan)

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council feature story: A Métis researcher's lifelong commitment to improving the future well-being of freshwater fish

Zoe Todd (she/they) (Red River Métis) is a practice-led artist-researcher who studies the relationships between Indigenous sovereignty and freshwater fish futures in Canada. Todd is an Associate Professor in SFU’s Department of Indigenous Studies and a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Governance and Freshwater Fish Futures Canada Research Chair. Todd is also a co-founder of both the Institute for Freshwater Fish Futures and the Indigenous Environmental Knowledge Institute (IEKI) at Carleton University.

Also supports: Transforming the SFU Experience, Making a Difference for B.C., Engaging in Global Challenges, Research that Matters (Academic Plan/Strategic Research Plan), Indigenization and Decolonization (Academic Plan), Strengthening Democracy, Justice, Equity, and Education (Strategic Research Plan)

LEADING ARCHAEOLOGY PRIZE IN PUBLISHING RECOGNIZES CHELSEY GERALDA ARMSTRONG'S ANCIENT TRAIL RESEARCH

Chelsey Geralda Armstrong, an assistant professor in Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) Department of Indigenous Studies, and her research collaborators are receiving a prominent award in the field of archaeology for their research efforts to document and protect Indigenous trail systems.

"Liberating Trails and Travel Routes in Gitxsan and Wet'suwet'en Territories from the Tyrannies of Heritage Resource Management Regimes," published in American Anthropologist, has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Gordon R. Willey Prize, a leading award for archaeological publishing globally.

CELEBRATING THE IMPACT OF SFU’S DONOR COMMUNITY: RIAN BEVAN, LEAD INNOVATION RESEARCHER, FOUR OUR FUTURE

During his time at SFU, Rian Bevan's journey towards sustainability work unfolded as he immersed himself in interdisciplinary learning experiences. Participating in the Semester in Dialogue course broadened his perspective on education and social change, leading him to understand the importance of deep conversations and experiential learning. Notably, Rian's involvement in projects such as 400 Drums, which utilized blockchain technology to protect Indigenous artists' work, reflects his commitment to both personal fulfillment and benefiting others through his sustainability-focused endeavors as an alum.

Also supports: Transforming the SFU Experience, Making a Difference for B.C., Indigenization and Decolonization (Academic Plan)

SFU COURSE INTEGRATES SQUAMISH’S CARBON ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

In his tenure as an assistant professor at SFU's School for Sustainable Energy Engineering (SEE), Sami Khan dedicated his efforts to advancing the field of sustainability through education and research. His course on chemical engineering and process design emphasized the development of sustainable energy systems, particularly focusing on designing next-generation carbon capture systems. Khan's work aimed to address the pressing issue of climate change by exploring innovative solutions to reduce carbon emissions. He facilitated student visits to Carbon Engineering, where they gained insights into direct air capture technology. Khan's research laboratory at SFU furthered the quest for technological improvements in carbon capture methods.

Also supports: Making a Difference for B.C., Program and Curriculum Renewal, Assessment, and Improvement (Academic Plan), Transforming Industry and Economies Through Technology, Management, and Policy (Strategic Research Plan)

THERESA PAULY AIMS TO ENHANCE OLDER ADULTS’ PREPAREDNESS FOR EXTREME HEAT AMID GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE

Theresa Pauly, an assistant professor and Canada Research Chair in Social Relationships, Health and Aging, received funding from the New Frontiers in Research Fund – International (NFRF-I) Program for her project, "A Comprehensive Approach to Enhance Older Adults’ Preparedness for Extreme Heat (COPE)." As Principal Investigator, Pauly led an international research team with Dr. Atiya Mahmood and Yushu Zhu, collaborating with partners from the UK, Sweden, Israel, and Hong Kong. The project addressed the rising risk of heat-related deaths among older adults, which had increased by 54% over the past two decades, due to their physiological and socioeconomic vulnerabilities. By involving older adults as co-leaders, the team aimed to create comprehensive adaptation and mitigation plans to improve preparedness for extreme heat, enhance community services, and ensure that local organizations could manage the impacts of global climate change.

Also supports: Making a Difference for B.C., Research that Matters (Academic Plan/Strategic Research Plan), Developing a Culture of Inclusive Excellence (Academic Plan/Equity Compass), Supporting Health and Wellness of Individuals, Populations and Communities (Strategic Research Plan), Strengthening Democracy, Justice, Equity, and Education (Strategic Research Plan)

BRINGING INCLUSIVE TEACHING INTO SUSTAINABILITY RESEARCH

SFU Urban Studies professors Meg Holden and Annika Airas, embarking on a five-year study of translanguaging in sustainability, dialogue with Translanguaging & Trans-Semiotizing Research Group scholars on the topic of translanguaging and sustainability. Translanguaging is the ability to move fluidly between languages and a pedagogical approach to teaching in which teachers support this ability. It makes the subject more inclusive. Holden and Airas are bringing inclusivity into sustainability research.

Also supports: Making a Difference for B.C. and Transforming the SFU Experience, Program and Curriculum Renewal, Assessment, and Improvement (Academic Plan), Developing a Culture of Inclusive Excellence (Academic Plan/Equity Compass), Strengthening Democracy, Justice, Equity, and Education (Strategic Research Plan)

TACKLING THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF STREAMING MEDIA

Streaming media is calculated to contribute a surprising 1% of global greenhouse gases, because most regions of the world obtain electricity from fossil fuels to power their data centers, networks, and devices. Streaming large files in large quantities, then, ethically implicates spectators in the warming of the planet. This research addresses the high and rising electricity consumption of information and communication technologies (ICT), which consume as much as 7% of global electricity.

Also supports: Making a Difference for B.C. and Transforming the SFU Experience, Research that Matters (Academic Plan/Strategic Research Plan)

CULTIVATING GREEN FUTURES: DR. LOUISE ST. PIERRE’S JOURNEY TO THE YWCA WOMEN OF DISCTINCTION NOMINATION

Dr. Louise St. Pierre, a passionate advocate for ecological design and an SFU Education alumnus, was nominated for the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards in Environmental Sustainability. Her PhD at SFU, under the mentorship of Dr. Heesoon Bai, profoundly influenced her integration of ecological principles with contemplative Buddhist practices. At Emily Carr University of Art + Design, she led the creation of Canada’s first Minor in Ecological Design and co-founded the nation’s inaugural Design for Social Innovation and Sustainability (DESIS) lab. Her PhD experience enriched her professional development, transforming her teaching approach to focus on relationships and mindfulness, and enabling her to pioneer sustainable design education. Dr. St. Pierre’s innovative work reshaped interactions with the environment through direct engagement with local ecosystems, fostering a holistic and sustainable worldview among her students.

Also supports: Making a Difference for B.C.

ONE IN SEVEN DEEPWATER SHARKS AND RAYS AT RISK OF EXTINCTION

One in seven species of deepwater sharks and rays are threatened with extinction due to overfishing, according to a new eight-year study in the journal Science. The analysis found that sharks and rays are caught as incidental bycatch in fisheries targeting more commercially valuable species. However, they are kept due to the value of their oil and meat. This, partnered with a recent global expansion in the trade of shark liver oil, has resulted in steep population declines. "“There’s been great success in regulating shark fin trade. Now we need to turn our attention to regulating the international trade in liver oil," says Nicholas Dulvy, Distinguished SFU Professor of Marine Biodiversity and Conservation.

Also supports: Research that Matters (Academic Plan/Strategic Research Plan)

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTRE, FIELD SCHOOL IN AFRICA ADVANCES SFU’S GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS

The East Africa Environmental Field School offered students immersive learning experiences in tackling global environmental challenges. Through fieldwork and experiential learning activities in East Africa, students gained firsthand knowledge about biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and climate change adaptation. Led by experienced faculty members, the field school provided unique opportunities for students to collaborate with local communities and organizations, fostering cross-cultural understanding and enhancing their academic and personal growth. Such experiential learning programs are crucial in preparing students to become global citizens equipped to tackle complex environmental issues.

Also supports: Transforming the SFU Experience, Program and Curriculum Renewal, Assessment, and Improvement (Academic Plan), Expanding Internationalization (Academic Plan), Advancing Community-Centered Climate Innovation (Strategic Research Plan)

SFU PROFESSOR LEADS GLOBAL ROADMAP TO ADVANCE PRINTABLE SENSORS FOR SUSTAINABILITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE

SFU’s School of Sustainable Energy Engineering associate professor, Vincenzo Pecunia is leading a team of more than 100 experts from 57 research institutions worldwide in developing a comprehensive roadmap for next-generation printable sensor technologies. Sensors can help people make more informed decisions about how they use resources and improve homes, cities, the environment, security, health care and more. As current sensors used today are made with technologies that tend to be expensive and have a considerable carbon footprint, the new technologies aim to advance sustainability and quality of life.

Also supports: Research that Matters (Academic/Strategic Research Plan), Expanding Internationalization (Academic Plan), Supporting Health and Wellness of Individuals, Populations and Communities (Strategic Research Plan), Transforming Industry and Economies Through Technology, Management, and Policy (Strategic Research Plan)

CHOOSING THE RIGHT ROUTE TO LOWER TRAFFIC EMISSIONS

SEE associate professor Vahid Hosseini and his team at the Collaborative Research on Energy, Air Pollution, Transportation and Environment (CREATE) lab are helping Canadian cities reach net-zero goals by generating local emissions data and creating community-specific transportation models. By using a portable emission measurement system (PEMS), they can measure greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution from the tailpipes of vehicles throughout Greater Vancouver and Edmonton. From the data collected, Hosseini and his team will use the information to develop transportation emission models for the cities.

Also supports: Making a Difference for B.C., Research that Matters (Academic Plan/Strategic Research Plan), Advancing Community-Centered Climate Innovation (Strategic Research Plan), Supporting Health and Wellness of Individuals, Populations and Communities (Strategic Research Plan), Transforming Industry and Economies Through Technology, Management, and Policy (Strategic Research Plan)

MECHATRONICS IN MOTION: SFU ENGINEERING STUDENTS GEAR UP FOR TANZANIA FIELDWORK

Earlier this year, 11 students from SFU’s School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering embarked on a trip to the Arusha Climate and Environmental Research Centre (ACER) in Tanzania. Packed with prototypes of a weed-removal robot and drone-based crop-analyzing software, the students were given the opportunity to field test their newly developed innovations on more than 3,700 acres of rich, diverse agricultural land. The school’s partnership with ACER aims to advance global research in environmental science and work towards sustainable agricultural development goals. 

Also supports: Transforming the SFU Experience, Program and Curriculum Renewal, Assessment, and Improvement (Academic Plan), Research that Matters (Academic Plan/Strategic Research Plan), Expanding Internationalization (Academic Plan), Transforming Industry and Economies Through Technology, Management, and Policy (Strategic Research Plan)

AMANDA WATSON AWARDED SSHRC INSIGHT DEVELOPMENT GRANT TO RESEARCH THE BIRTHSTRIKE MOVEMENT IN RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CRISIS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND CANADA

Amanda Watson is a senior lecturer at SFU’s Department of Sociology and Anthropology. Her research interests include climate crisis, care, labour, social reproduction, disability. Watson says she’s personally invested in her research from the perspective of a parent. “I have two young kids. Fear about their climate future is something that keeps me up at night.” 

Also supports: Research that Matters (Academic Plan/Research Strategic Plan), Developing a Culture of Inclusive Excellence (Academic Plan/Equity Compass), Supporting Health and Wellness of Individuals, Populations and Communities (Strategic Research Plan), Strengthening Democracy, Justice, Equity, and Education (Strategic Research Plan)

SFU PROFESSOR, RESEARCHER, AND CHAIR OF SFU'S DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE, ANDY HIRA IS WORKING ON AN UNCTAD-UK GOVT. PROJECT TO REDUCE PLASTIC WASTE IN RURAL NEPAL

In 2015 Nepal went through unspeakable human and economic hardship as it suffered one of the worst earthquake events in its recorded history. With the innovation of Hira's project, plastic sheets are being trialed to repair roofing structures, as an example of the impact they are having on the people in the community.

Also supports: Research that Matters (Academic Plan/Strategic Research Plan), Supporting Health and Wellness of Individuals, Populations and Communities (Strategic Research Plan), Transforming Industry and Economies Through Technology, Management, and Policy (Strategic Research Plan)

UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND UNIVERSITY PERFORMANCE: SPECIAL EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABILITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION

This Special Edition of the International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education was co-edited by SFU’s Chief Information Officer, Brian Stewart. The issue provides an avenue for institutional experiences and research that have not received wider attention to foster broader discussion related to achieving the UN’s SDGs. Increasingly universities are adopting the UN’s sustainable goals into their institutional and research strategies adopting environmental, social and economic sustainability objectives into policy, sharing best practices with their communities, and engaging students in sustainable practices, all contributing to the realization of the SDGs. The papers contributed here provide evidence of the contributions being made across universities, globally. Adopting various methodological approaches, innovations in teaching methods, curricular design and development, impacts on surrounding communities and the role institutions can play in providing community leadership are all explored. The challenges facing SDG implementation, and the progress demonstrated in a literature review are also reflected in the papers included.

Also supports: Research that Matters (Academic Plan/Strategic Research Plan), Transforming Industry and Economies Through Technology, Management, and Policy (Strategic Research Plan), Expanding Internationalization (Academic Plan)

2024 COAST CAPITAL VENTURE PRIZE WINNER DRIVES SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION FORWARD

Venture Prize competition, securing a $10,000 cash award and business development services to bring its novel e-bike to market in 2025. Launched in 2021 by co-founders Anthony and Hannah King, the startup focused on making e-bikes lighter and safer with features like automated gearing and assisted balancing, aiming to increase adoption, especially among women. The startup benefited from mentorship and development services from SFU’s Coast Capital Venture Connection and the AccelerateIP program. The annual competition celebrated diverse entrepreneurial activity and awarded over $50,000 in prizes, with Pulse Tofu winning the Top Idea prize for its soy-free tofu alternative.

Also supports: Engaging in Global Challenges, Supporting Health and Wellness of Individuals, Populations and Communities (Strategic Research Plan), Strengthening Democracy, Justice, Equity, and Education (Strategic Research Plan)

CHRISTOPHER PAVSEK: WANDERINGS THROUGH THE DELTA

Wanderings through the delta was shot and recorded entirely in the Fraser River delta in January and February of 2023. From the fog on the delta the film draws lessons about the human relationship to the animals who call it home--above all birds--and our capacity to know about their existences. It patiently observes these animals and the landscape where they live as it changes before our very eyes and ears in the wake of historical and ongoing human encroachment. Wanderings provides a moving, and on occasion stark, portrait of this biologically magnificent, at times stunningly beautiful, and always woefully under-protected area. - From Wanderings Through the Delta

Also supports: Engaging in Global Challenges, Research that Matters (Academic Plan/Strategic Research Plan)

NEW ASSISTANT PROFESSOR BRINGS CREATIVE, COLLABORATIVE QUANTITATIVE APPROACHES TO PLANETARY HEALTH RESEARCH

SFU welcomed Stephanie Cleland as a new assistant professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences. Cleland, who also held the Legacy for Airway Health Chair in Promotion of Lung Health, specialized in quantitative environmental health research. Her work focused on the impacts of climate change-related environmental exposures, such as wildfire smoke, on human health. Using large data sets and integrated approaches, she aimed to inform policy and protect communities from climate-related health risks. Cleland valued collaboration and was keen on contributing to local public health initiatives in British Columbia.

Also supports: Engaging in Global Challenges, Research that Matters (Academic Plan/Strategic Research Plan), Supporting Health and Wellness of Individuals, Populations and Communities (Strategic Research Plan)

FHS RESEARCHERS ENGAGE SURREY RESIDENTS ON 15 MINUTE NEIGHBOURHOODS

SFU Faculty of Health Sciences researchers engaged with Surrey residents in the development of "15-minute neighbourhoods." Through community collaboration and research efforts, SFU aimed to create vibrant and accessible neighbourhoods where residents could access essential services and amenities within a 15-minute walk from their homes. The initiative highlighted the importance of community engagement in urban planning and emphasized SFU's commitment to promoting health and well-being in local communities.

Also supports: Engaging in Global Challenges, Research that Matters (Academic Plan/Strategic Research Plan), Advancing Community-Centered Climate Innovation (Strategic Research Plan), Supporting Health and Wellness of Individuals, Populations and Communities (Strategic Research Plan)

GROWING PAINS? SFU RESEARCH TRACKS 100 YEARS OF SALMON ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE

Juvenile salmon in British Columbia are growing larger than they did 100 years ago due to climate change, according to a new Simon Fraser University-led study. Century-old fish scales are yielding new insights into how salmon populations are responding to climate change in northern B.C., and how maintaining the integrity of freshwater habitats may help salmon adapt to warming temperatures. SFU biological sciences Liber Ero Postdoctoral Fellow Michael Price, with other SFU researchers and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, have used modern genetic tools to analyze fish scales collected from fisheries since 1913 to reconstruct the historical growth of juvenile sockeye in various lakes across the Skeena watershed.

Also supports: Engaging in Global Challenges, Research that Matters (Academic Plan/Strategic Research Plan)

SFU researchers are developing new blueberry cultivars and the technologies needed to grow them during Canadian winters. Each year Canada imports nearly half a billion dollars of blueberries from countries such as Mexico and Peru, but these have a higher carbon footprint than local berries and are more likely to spoil. New precision growing techniques developed at SFU have the potential to help Canadian famers adapt to a changing climate, strengthen our food security and lessen food waste.

Also supports: Engaging in Global Challenges, Research that Matters (Academic Plan/Strategic Research Plan), Supporting Health and Wellness of Individuals, Populations and Communities (Strategic Research Plan), Transforming Industry and Economies Through Technology, Management, and Policy (Strategic Research Plan)

SFU RESEARCH TO BRING FRESH, LOCAL BLUEBERRIES TO B.C. MARKETS IN WINTER

SFU researchers are developing new blueberry cultivars and the technologies needed to grow them during Canadian winters. Each year Canada imports nearly half a billion dollars of blueberries from countries such as Mexico and Peru, but these have a higher carbon footprint than local berries and are more likely to spoil. New precision growing techniques developed at SFU have the potential to help Canadian famers adapt to a changing climate, strengthen our food security and lessen food waste.

Also supports: Engaging in Global Challenges, Research that Matters (Academic Plan/Strategic Research Plan), Supporting Health and Wellness of Individuals, Populations and Communities (Strategic Research Plan), Transforming Industry and Economies Through Technology, Management, and Policy (Strategic Research Plan)

NATURAL SOLUTIONS INITIATIVE – PUTTING NATURE BACK INTO NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS

The Natural Solutions Initiative focused on exploring nature-based solutions to environmental challenges, such as biodiversity loss and climate change impacts. Through interdisciplinary research and collaboration, SFU aimed to develop innovative strategies that harness the benefits of nature for addressing complex environmental problems. The report provided an overview of the key findings and outcomes of the Natural Solutions Initiative, highlighting its potential to inform policy and practice in sustainability and conservation efforts. Overall, the initiative exemplified SFU's commitment to advancing environmental stewardship and promoting resilience in natural ecosystems.

Also supports: Engaging in Global Challenges, Research that Matters (Academic Plan/Strategic Research Plan), Advancing Community-Centered Climate Innovation (Strategic Research Plan)

LAUNCH OF THE 312 MAIN RESEARCH SHOP

The 312 Main Research Shop supports community organizations by offering research services at low or no cost. Inspired by the 'science shop' model widely practiced in Europe and building on the success of similar initiatives in Canada, we collaborate with community partners, students, and faculty members to address community questions and concerns through research. We solicit projects from community organizations, then hire SFU graduate students to engage in, lead, or contribute to community-driven research projects, gaining hands-on experience and enhancing their professional development. SFU CERi manages and facilitates the process from start to finish.

Also supports: Program and Curriculum Renewal, Assessment, and Improvement (Academic Plan), Research that Matters (Academic Plan/Strategic Research Plan), Advancing Community-Centered Climate Innovation (Strategic Research Plan), Strengthening Democracy, Justice, Equity, and Education (Strategic Research Plan)

PRESIDENT’S FACULTY LECTURES

The series kicked off in September 2023 with a lecture from Woo Soo Kim, a professor in the School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering and the scientific director of the SFU-led B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation (BCCAI). Kim’s lecture focused on how 3D printing and other cutting-edge technologies are revolutionizing agriculture as B.C.’s food security comes under threat from climate change. Kim’s unique expertise in 3D printing and sensors is already helping farmers make more efficient, sustainable decisions with the help of better data.

Also supports: Engaging in Global Challenges, Research that Matters (Academic Plan/Strategic Research Plan), Transforming Industry and Economies Through Technology, Management, and Policy (Strategic Research Plan)

SFU PROFESSOR IS COUNCIL CO-CHAIR ON THE PROVINCE OF BC’S CLIMATE SOLUTIONS COUNCIL

Nancy Olewiler, economist and professor emerita in SFU’s School of Public Policy, speaks to CBC in support of carbon tax.

Also supports: Engaging in Global Challenges, Research that Matters (Academic Plan/Strategic Research Plan)

TEACHING GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE POLITICS TO SFU UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

POL 349 D100: Global Climate Change Politics is a course taught in SFU’s Department of Political Science. Professor Radoslav Dimitrov describes the course in this video. Professor Dimitrov is internationally highly regarded as a climate change expert. He participated in United Nations' conferences for 20 years, representing the European Union in international climate change negotiations and helping to negotiate the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Also supports: Making a Difference for B.C. and Engaging in Global Challenges, Program and Curriculum Renewal, Assessment, and Improvement (Academic Plan), Expanding Internationalization (Academic Plan)

SFU FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENT AND MULTIFAITH CENTRE WELCOMES NEW ECOLOGICAL CHAPLAIN, JASON BROWN

As the climate crisis worsens, anxiety and grief about the state of the world is reaching epidemic proportions. The Faculty of Environment in partnership with the Multifaith Centre launched a first-of-its-kind Ecological Chaplaincy Pilot Project to explore the provision of spiritual care for members of the SFU community experiencing ecological grief or climate anxiety. In the first term, the Ecological Chaplain, Jason Brown, led climate cafes, group and individual forest walks and more to help the SFU community build resilience.

Also supports: Making a Difference for B.C. and Engaging in Global Challenges, Program and Curriculum Renewal, Assessment, and Improvement (Academic Plan), Developing a Culture of Inclusive Excellence (Academic Plan/Equity Compass), Improving Institutional Effectiveness (Academic Plan), Supporting Health and Wellness of Individuals, Populations and Communities (Strategic Research Plan)

SUSTAINABILITY, IDENTITY, SOCIAL CHANGE LAB (SISC)

The Sustainability, Identity, and Social Change Lab (SISC), under the direction of Dr. Michael T. Schmitt, is located at SFU’s Burnaby campus. SISC research focuses on a social identity theory approach to environmental sustainability and environmental activism, examining topics in intergroup relations and collective identity. Methods used range from lab-based experiments to qualitative, community-based research. All work incorporates insights from critical social psychology. SISC works closely with SFU’s Intergroup Relations and Social Justice Lab (IRSJ) directed by Dr. Steven Wright.

Also supports: Making a Difference for B.C. and Engaging in Global Challenges, Research that Matters (Academic Plan/Strategic Research Plan)

SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE ACTION PLAN SPOTLIGHT: ADVANCEMENT AND ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT

Throughout the year, SFU highlighted its 2022-2025 Strategic Sustainability and Climate Action Plan, focusing on six goals to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and advancing the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Erin Morantz, vice-president of Advancement and Alumni Engagement, emphasized the necessity of collective action to address climate challenges. Advancement and Alumni Engagement's efforts included fundraising for sustainability projects, promoting SFU's sustainability progress, and reducing the department's carbon footprint and waste through various initiatives.

Also supports: Making a Difference for B.C. and Engaging in Global Challenges, Improving Institutional Effectiveness (Academic Plan)

ENGAGING YOUTH IN GLOBAL CLIMATE ACTION

Hosted by Ancillary Services, this event aimed to center the unique perspectives and innovative solutions that youth bring, and embolden collaborative participation in the global climate movement. Through this format, attendees discovered how their drive and ideas could significantly contribute to local and global climate initiatives, paving the way for impactful change.

DIAMOND ALUMNI CENTRE RENOVATION

The renovated DAC building addresses climate mitigation and resiliency with a low carbon energy system and added cooling capability to a ‘heritage’ building, It is now equipped for climate adaptation of extreme weather conditions such as annual heatwaves.