The University of Northern British Columbia has reached a milestone in establishing itself as a small, research-intensive university. After attracting $17.4 million in research funding during the 2007-08 fiscal year, the University has surpassed the $100 million mark in total research funding to date.

“This is a significant accomplishment for a young and small university; a success that is perhaps unique in the history of Canadian universities,” says Jim Randall, Acting UNBC President. “Ultimately, our talented faculty and students are the reasons we have achieved this milestone and among the greatest beneficiaries of their work are the communities of the region.”

Much of UNBC’s research activity focuses on issues related to natural resources and the environment, rural health, and community sustainability. Many projects are undertaken in partnership with regional businesses and public organizations including Northern Health, West Fraser Timber, Carrier Sekani Family Services, and government ministries. The University has seven research institutes, two research forests, a landscape ecology research centre on the Quesnel River, and 13 endowed research chairs who lead research on such diverse topics as forest insects and community development. UNBC has eight, federally funded Canada Research Chairs – more than many universities that are larger than UNBC.

“There are many benefits to research and I have no doubt that we are doing a better job of managing forests, caring for the sick, realizing the aspirations of Aboriginal people, planning our communities, and fostering the potential of children because of the research being undertaken at this university,” adds Dr. Randall. “While many benefits may only be seen in the future, some benefits of research are immediate: more than 500 students, for example, were hired this past year alone as research assistants, providing them with an unparalleled learning opportunity.”

There were 260 investments in research projects in 2007-08, worth a total of 17.4 million. This is second to UNBC’s record year of 2005-06, when the University attracted $18.8 million for 268 awards.

The following five research projects received the largest amounts of research funding in 2007-08:

National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health - The Public Health Agency of Canada has created this national centre, led by Margo Greenwood, to help address the gap in aboriginal health status and to support Aboriginal communities across Canada in realizing their health goals.

Effects of Contaminants on Health - Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is supporting research led by Laurie Chan, the BC Leadership Chair in Aboriginal Environmental Health. The research examines the relationship between traditional food consumption and health of the Inuit populations in Northern Canada. The project studies both the nutritional benefits of traditional foods as well the risks posed by the presence of environmental contaminants.

Assessing Rural Acute Care Education - Northern Health and the BC Ministry of Health’s Nursing Directorate have enabled the creation of a research team, led by Nursing professor Martha MacLeod, to develop a new certificate program designed to provide nurses with a credential in rural acute care. Implementation of the program is central to a research project exploring effective and appropriate educational programs that recognize the nature of rural nursing practice.

BC Environmental and Occupational Health Research Network – This network is one of eight around the province funded by the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research. Led by UNBC professor Henry Harder, the network involves more than 700 members who explore broad issues related to workplace health and how environmental contaminants affect health.

Western Canadian Cryospheric Network - The Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences is providing funding to study the effects of climate change on glaciers in numerous locations around BC to better predict their futures. The research is being led by Geography professor Brian Menounos.

The total from these five projects is nearly $3.2 million.
* Note that the projects listed above are multi-year projects and the financial contribution indicated represents the amount received in the 2007-08 fiscal year. While many of these projects have multiple funders, only the lead funding agency is identified.

“This is just a sample of the hundreds of research projects underway at any given time at UNBC and it is important to note that there is much research being undertaken by faculty and students that requires little or no funding but still has enormous positive outcomes for communities and the economy,” says Dr. Randall. “Thank you to the funding agencies, thank you to the communities and industries that enable research to be done, and thank you to the people and organizations that implement our research results.”

Contact:
Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC – 250.960.5622