Prince George, B.C. – The University of Northern British Columbia secured more than $3.5 million in federal research funding, including a new Canada Research Chair position. 

School of Nursing Professor Dr. Shannon Freeman has been named the Canada Research Chair in Technology Adoption for Aging in the North.

“This Canada Research Chair appointment recognizes Dr. Freeman’s leadership in advancing technology solutions that support healthy aging in northern and rural regions,” says UNBC Interim President Dr. Bill Owen. “Dr. Freeman demonstrates how research grounded in community partnerships can make a lasting difference across northern B.C. and beyond.”

Freeman was appointed a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair, awarded to exceptional emerging researchers, acknowledged by their peers as having the potential to lead their field. The award provides $600,000 in funding over five years.

UNBC also received $2.9 million from the Government of Canada Research Support Fund to cover indirect costs of research at UNBC and $64,000 from the Research Security program.

“At UNBC, research is rooted in place but designed to make a global difference,” says UNBC’s Vice-President of Research and Innovation Dr. Paula Wood-Adams. “Thanks to the support from the federal government, UNBC researchers are able to generate knowledge that advances understanding and drives innovative change.”

Freeman is the founding Academic Director of the Centre for Technology Adoption for Aging in the North (CTAAN), an AGE-WELL National Innovation Hub hosted at UNBC. CTAAN works with technology developers, researchers, policymakers, health-care providers, community groups and older adults to test, pilot and promote technologies that help older adults live independently.

The Canada Research Chair will enable Freeman to expand these collaborations, scaling up CTAAN’s impact while connecting local initiatives to national and global networks.

“The goal of my research is to make aging a more positive and supported experience,” says Freeman. “By integrating new technologies and breaking down barriers, we’re improving the resources available to older adults and those who care for them.”