Research Institutes and Centres

There are numerous Research Institutes and Centres at UNBC, all of which are invaluable in the research and extension that they bring to various communities, on and off campus.

Community Development Institute (CDI)

The mission of the Community Development Institute at UNBC is to support the research, information, and development needs of Northern BC's rural and small town communities as they adjust to change in the new economy. The Institute is a resource centre to which communities and decision-makers can turn in their search for timely and relevant information. It is also be a conduit through which information from outside the region is shared with communities. In addition, the Institute is ideally positioned to coordinate broader regional research to understand and energize community development.

Cumulative and Community Impacts Research Consortium

The Cumulative and Community Impacts Research Consortium (CCIRC) will provide a platform for research and dialogue on recent and proposed increases for resource development across Northern British Columbia and the effects on communities and regions. The CCIRC will bring together experts, knowledge, and resources from three existing UNBC institutes—the Community Development Institute, the Health Research Institute, and the Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Institute.

Health Research Institute (HRI)

The HRI envisions a world in which healthy individual​s, families and communities live without health inequities.The mission of HRI is to facilitate the creation and translation of knowledge that will enhance the health and well- being of individuals, families and communities. The UNBC Health Research Institute will pursue this mission through promoting knowledge creation, knowledge synthesis and exchange, fostering links among researchers, stakeholders and partners such as Northern Health, and developing research capacity.

Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Institute (NRESi)

The Natural Resources & Environmental Studies Institute (NRESi) builds connections among university researchers and communities or external experts to advance understanding of natural resources and the environment. NRESi facilitates collaborative projects that address complex issues involving ecological processes, social values, and earth science systems. Within NRESi’s membership, there are more than 70 researchers with diverse expertise, who engage in a wide range of project themes. NRESi supports and develops research opportunities focused on collecting baseline information, as well as applying that knowledge to practical problems.

Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions

The Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS) will develop innovative climate change solutions, seek new opportunities for positive adaptation, and lead the way to a vibrant low-carbon economy. BC is home to a large and exceptional community of scientists, engineers, economists, environmental and socio-behavioural impact assessment specialists, policy analysts and governance experts. PICS pulls this intellectual capital together into a dynamic knowledge network that integrates multi-disciplinary approaches to climate change.

Our main objectives are:

  • understanding the magnitude and patterns of climate change and   its impacts;
  • evaluating the physical, economic and social implications;
  • assessing mitigation and adaptation options and developing policy and business solutions;
  • evaluating and strengthening educational and capacity-building strategies to address climate change; and
  • communicating climate change issues to government, industry and the general public.

Urban Aboriginal Knowledge Network - Western Research Centre

The UAKN Western Research Centre (RRC) is based out of the University of Northern British Columbia led by co-directors Dr. Ross Hoffman, First Nations Studies and Dr. Paul Bowles, Economics and International Studies. The Western RRC Executive committee is comprised of representatives from Prince George Native Friendship Centre, Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association, the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development, the BC Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation and Dr. Yale Belanger from the University of Lethbridge. There are currently nine RRC projects funded in the Western Region.