News

Meet the Spring Recipients of UBC’s 2024 Partnership Recognition and Exploration Fund 

From facilitating the recovery of grizzly bears within the North Cascades Ecosystem to harvesting invasive plant species used to create visual artworks, this spring’s PRE recipients have formed valuable partnerships with UBC students, faculty, and staff who are passionate about making differences in their communities. 

Challenges in Partnered Research: The Power of Storytelling in Collaborative Research 

In this episode, learn how storytelling though a variety of mediums, namely comics, podcasts, and apps, are powerful tools for engaging audiences, securing research funding, and delivering impactful messages. 

Exploring the Future of STEAM: UBCO’s Expo of Awesome Inspires the Next Generation

PRE Funded Project | The Expo of Awesome celebrated the ingenuity and curiosity of young minds, bringing over 1,000 participants to campus for an exploration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM). 

Valuable Insights From Defining and Describing Community-Engaged Scholarship for Promotion and Tenure with Dr. Emily Janke

Watch and explore key takeaways from the Partnering in Research Workshop, “Defining and Describing Community Engaged Scholarship for Promotion and Tenure” with Emily Janke

Celebrating Our Work Learn Students’ Journeys: Q&A with Kaialuna Scarpetta-Lee 

Kaialuna Scarpetta-Lee (she/they), our Communications Assistant from September 2023 to April 2024, shares insights from their experiences and responsibilities during their term, reflects on key learnings, and discusses their favourite projects.

Celebrating Our Work Learn Students’ Journeys: Q&A with Lisa Kariuki 

Our latest Q&A features Lisa Kariuki, one of our office’s Work Learn students. Lisa reflects on her time with Community Engagement, favourite moments and more.

Hogan’s Alley Society Partners with UBC Students to Combat Anti-Black Racism in Social Work

In the summer of 2022, Hogan’s Alley Society founding director Lama Mugabo collaborated with a team of five UBC students to create an Anti-Racism in Social Work Toolkit.

Apply for the 2024 Partnership Recognition and Exploration Fund

Get up to $1,500 to fill small resource gaps so community partners can build reciprocal relationships with UBC students, faculty and staff.

UBC Awards Over $700,000 to 30 Community-University Partnerships Through the 2023-24 Community-University Engagement Support Fund

From enhancing food security for new immigrants to partnering with First Nations for the better stewardship of our lands and wildlife, learn how these community-university partnerships are addressing priority issues throughout the province.

Folil Trafün: Connecting Afro-descendant, Indigenous and Latin American Communities in the Lower Mainland Through Film

In the fall of 2023, the Vancouver Latin American Cultural Centre (VLACC), Ficwallmapu, and UBC’s Faculty of Forestry collaborated to highlight and celebrate Indigenous and Afro-diaspora films from Latin America.

Meet the CEN: A Conversation with UBC’s Centre for Asian Canadian Research and Engagement

In our fourth episode, we interview the team behind UBC ACRE, an incredible initiative that is working to center the voices, experiences, and expertise of Asian Canadian communities, both within the university and, crucially, beyond it. 

Black History Month: Resources for Engaging with Black Communities Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow 

Engaging, learning and working with Black communities is not a once-a-year issue when Black History Month comes around in February. Community engagement is about building reciprocal relationships which takes time, meaningful effort and, most importantly, trust.

Meet the Winter Recipients of UBC’s 2023 Partnership Recognition and Exploration Fund 

From working with First Nations to restore land along the Fraser Watershed to combating ageism through theatre and performance, this winter’s projects showcase the diverse ways in which communities are partnering with UBC students, faculty, and staff on community initiatives.

Lessons from a Partnership: How United Way BC, UBC’s School of Public Policy, and the Office of Community Engagement Collaborated on a Public Policy Event

Reflecting on the collaborative success of “The Age of Disruption in Public Policy: DRIPA and Social Media” event, we share valuable insights for future collaborations including leveraging unique strengths, shared leadership, and clear communication.

Breathing life back into their language: A collaborative e-dictionary project with Klahoose, Tla’amin, Homalco, and K’ómoks Nations

Today, fewer than 47 native speakers of ʔayʔaǰuθəm remain, all of whom are over the age of 60. To help preserve their traditional language, four sister nations—Klahoose, Tla’amin, Homalco, and K’ómoks—are working alongside researchers from UBC and the University of Alberta to develop an ʔayʔaǰuθəm e-dictionary.

Three takeaways from our November CEN session: How UBC staff are integrating Indigenous ways of knowing into their community engagement work

On November 9, the Community Engagement Network gathered to talk about how UBC staff are integrating Indigenous ways of knowing into their community engagement work.

How to hire a UBC student: Four UBC resources for community partners 

Does your organization need extra help this year? Consider hiring a student from UBC. Whether for an internship, volunteer role, or paid position, UBC offers several ways for organizations to hire talented students from both UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan.  

Meet the CEN: Staff Spotlight with Kshamta Hunter

In our third interview, we introduce Kshamta Hunter, the Manager of Transformative Learning and Student Engagement within the Sustainability Hub at UBC.

Stswecem’c Xget’tem First Nation and UBC Forestry Students Collaborate to Shape the Future of Fire Stewardship 

PRE Funded Project | The Stswecem’c Xget’tem First Nation and students from UBC Forestry are working together to find community-driven and decolonized solutions to wildfires in British Columbia. 

Meet the summer recipients of UBC’s 2023 Partnership Recognition and Exploration Fund

From supporting parents of children with speech delays to exploring Indigenous-led solutions to wildfires, this summer’s projects showcase the diverse ways in which communities are partnering with UBC students, faculty, and staff on reciprocal initiatives.

A Sustainable Approach to Collecting Unwanted Items during Student Residence Move-Out 

PRE Funded Project | Each spring, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central and Southern Interior of BC partners with UBCO’s Student Housing to collect and sell donated clothing and household items in the thrift market.

Meet the CEN: Staff Spotlight with Kat Cureton

In our second “Meet the CEN” interview, we introduce Kat Cureton, an Advisor at UBC Community Engagement and leader of the Community Engagement Network.

Apply to be a reviewer for the 2024/25 Community-University Engagement Support (CUES) Fund

Join a diverse group of UBC faculty, staff, and community leaders to review CUES fund proposals and make recommendations for funding. The reviewer role involves a one-time commitment from January 2 to February 21, 2024.

Meet the CEN: Staff Spotlight with Holly Kim 

We’re thrilled to present a new series that shines a spotlight on the dynamic individuals who make up the heart of our Community Engagement Network (CEN). In our inaugural feature, we’re proud to introduce Holly Kim, the Operations and Program Manager at UBC Community Engagement.

UBC Strategic Plan: UBC Connects at Robson Square

Connects in the News | Located in the heart of Vancouver’s vibrant downtown core, UBC’s Robson Square facility expands the university’s reach beyond the Point Grey campus, and provides the perfect venue for encouraging equitable knowledge exchange between UBC and the downtown Vancouver community.

Museum of Vancouver and UBC Hosted “Making Space” Panel to Discuss the Complex Meanings of Asian Heritage Month and Asian Canadian Representation 

PRE Funded Project | the Museum of Vancouver (MOV) and the UBC Public Humanities Hub (PHH) co-organized “Making Space” in celebration of Asian Heritage Month. The event fostered a thoughtful conversation about the future of Asian Canadian communities and the importance for institutions to prioritize inclusivity and reciprocity.

Pancouver: Cultural researcher Kathleen Zaragosa nurtures Filipino heritage through power of language

Connects in the News | Kathleen Zaragosa speaks Tagalog and is now learning her family’s heritage language of Oasnon. Zaragosa will relate her own experience at a free Downtown Vancouver event that was inspired by the work she did as a UBC student.

The Revelstoke Child Care Society and HELP UBC Joined Forces to Enhance Child Development and Well-being for Young Families in Revelstoke, BC 

CUES Funded Project | The Revelstoke Child Care Society has partnered with the Human Early Learning Partnership at UBC to improve access to services, programs, and positive experiences for families with young children in Revelstoke, BC.

Project TEACH final report: Bridging the gap between recognition and action in coastal ecosystems in Southern British Columbia

The final report of Project TEACH addresses conservation challenges within the coastal forests in southern BC, and includes recommendations to transition towards an ecologically-informed governance model.

Report: UBC’s 2023 Partnering in Research Conference

Relive the highlights of UBC’s 2023 Partnering in Research Conference, including video recordings of the plenary sessions, photos, and key takeaways.

Meet the spring recipients of UBC’s 2023 Partnership Recognition and Exploration Fund

We have already funded 12 community-university projects this spring! Discover how UBC students, staff, and faculty are collaborating with community partners on a range of initiatives.

Volunteer for the UBC Connects at Robson Square Program 

UBC Connects at Robson Square is seeking dedicated volunteers to support our innovative event programming.

Apply for the 2023 Partnership Recognition and Exploration Fund

Get up to $1,500 to fill small resource gaps and empower community partners to build reciprocal relationships with UBC students, faculty, and staff.

Three takeaways from our April CEN session: Exploring tensions and opportunities of community-university engagement work within colonial systems 

The Community Engagement Network recently held its first in-person gathering in over three years, bringing together members from both Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.

31 community partners receive funding from UBC’s 2022-23 Community-University Engagement Support Fund

UBC awards over $745,000 to support community-university partnerships that benefit communities and advance collaborative research, teaching and learning throughout British Columbia.

Preserving and sharing syilx digital heritage: Westbank First Nation and UBCO collaborate on interactive web map

The Westbank First Nation Archaeology Office have teamed up with Dr. Neha Gupta (UBCO) to develop a unique digital archaeology project that celebrates syilx heritage and strengthens Indigenous data governance.

The Ubyssey: Fail to Appear addresses the mental health system’s failures to see

Connects in the News | Fail to Appear, is a striking commentary on the shortcomings of Canadian legal systems’ dehumanizing and disempowering approaches to the mental health crisis.

Hip Hop workshop for Black History Month

In February, hip-hop artist Ndidi Cascade hosted a youth empowerment workshop, which was part of a series of culture-based workshops co-organized by Sher Vancouver and UBC Medicine student Simrat Mahil. Their joint efforts aim to establish safe spaces for the South Asian LGBTQIA2S+ community.

‘Translator kids’ take centre stage at ACAM panel

The hua foundation and UBC’s Asian Canadian and Asian Migration Studies program jointly hosted “Translator Kids” on January 12, 2023. The event centered on the emotional labor and stress experienced by children of immigrants when translating for their parents and communities.

UBCO professor is helping bring back the Pony Cabaret – an evening featuring drag storytelling, comedy and burlesque.

Dr. Michael V. Smith (UBCO) is partnering with the Living Positive Resource Centre and Inspired World Cafe to gather artists across several different disciplines for the 7th Annual Pony Cabaret. The event is queer-run and aims to make a space where everyone can feel welcome.

Increasing food security for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and low-income folx

Saige Community Food Bank & Community Kitchen has provided the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and low-income folx access to a safe, no-barriers food bank and bi-monthly community kitchens for over 11 years.

Three projects highlight how community organizations partner with UBC Land and Food Systems to address needs in BC’s food system

Three Faculty of Land and Food Systems initiatives received funds of up to $1500 through PRE to work with these community partners: Watari Counselling and Support Services; ARC Arts Roots and Culture Community Society; and, FarmFolk CityFolk Society.

Watch Hearts Beat, a new documentary by two UBC students

The documentary celebrates the shared traditions of drumming, dancing, singing and storytelling between Coast Salish and Irish cultures, and showcases the incredible talent and artistry of the Downtown Eastside community.

Incorporating Indigenous knowledge, perspective, and voice into UBC’s nursing curriculum

Assistant Professor of Teaching Elisabeth Bailey joins with community partner Dancing Water Sandy and School District 27 in Healing Together: Building Relationships to Decolonize Nursing Education.

Eight community organizations receive PRE funding to partner with Arts students, faculty and staff on Indigenous reconciliation, equity, and climate action

Eight community-university projects being co-led by Faculty of Arts members have been funded by the 2022 Partnership Recognition and Exploration fund.

47 community partners receive funding from UBC’s 2022 Partnership Recognition and Exploration fund 

This fall, the Office of Community Engagement awarded over $70,000 to support community-university collaboration and relationship building.

The Ubyssey: Africans in BC town hall discuss role of diaspora in development of the continentUBC Connects at Robson Square offers funding to drive community-focused programs

Connects in the News | Christian Sopuruchi, president of PFF, opened the event by speaking about his experience providing educational resources to disadvantaged children in Nigeria.

UBC signs Statement of Cooperation with the Ismaili Council for BC

Signed on September 28, 2022, this Statement of Cooperation sets the foundation for continuous institutional cooperation in the areas of community engagement and knowledge exchange.

The Ubyssey: Classical compositions and contemporary connections: An interview with the Matrix Duo

Connects in the News | Mina McKenzie and Jack Campbell perform together as the Matrix Duo.

UBC Today: UBC Connects at Robson Square offers funding to drive community-focused programs

Connects in the News | Introducing UBC Connects at Robson Square, a brand-new initiative aiming to provide students, faculty and staff with the support required to collaborate with community partners in delivering innovative, community-focused programming.