Sustainability in academics and research
Sustainability in Academics and Research at UVic
The 番茄社区 prioritizes integrating sustainability across its courses and experiential learning programs. Through a commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UVic equips students to understand their connections with broader environmental and social systems.
Academics
UVic offers hundreds of courses that incorporate sustainability themes across diverse disciplines. In the 2021-2022 academic year, 92% of academic departments offered courses that address sustainability themes, based on key-word searches aligned with the United Nation's Sustainability Development Goals. This in-dept analysis was part of UVic's approach to achieving a Platinum rating with - a primary goal outlined in UVic's Climate and Sustainability Action Plan (CSAP 2030).
This approach ensures UVic students have broad access to sustainability-related learning, enhancing their readiness to address social, economic, and environmental challenges. For more details on the specific courses offered, check out our comprehensive .
For a summary of what's currently offered, see below:
Sustainability related disiplines
Academic sustainability spotlight
- The has been developing students' skills and awareness to do business sustainably and responsibly by building these values into core curricula for over 15 years. In that time, its importance has grown both in the world and in the minds of our students, faculty and staff, to the point that sustainability is now one of the four pillars of the school's mission and values. In 2011, the School launched the (CSSI), UVic's first intra-faculty centre, that connects teachers, researchers and community around building Gustavson's pillar of sustainability.
- The is an interdisciplinary program based on three pillars: ethnoecology, political ecology and ecological restoration. It has become one of Canada's most extensive academic programs focused on exploring and solving environmental issues in society. , an Introduction to Environmental Studies, has a unique focus on food security issues and is considered one of the largest classes in Canada focused on food issues with over 550 students enrolling annually.
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The offers a series of practical how-to courses and seminars on environmental sustainability for the campus and surrounding community. Courses are affordable and flexible, anddesigned for both personal and professional development. See their website for more info on their sustainably themed courses and diploma programs including the popular.
Experiential and service learning
The is an interactive and experiential field school designed for undergraduate students interested in food security, ecological sustainability, and social equity. Over the five week course, students participating in this interdisciplinary leadership program live and learn in some of the most beautiful places in British Columbia, while working alongside local food producers and ecological restorationists, and engaging with experts in the fields of environment and social justice. By accepting only sixteen students each year, the program provides customized instruction and support helping students to flourish and develop their capacity and confidence to lead home communities on the environmental issues.
The that bring students out of the classroom into community and wilderness settings:
- Cascadia Sustainability Field School (GEOG 388 and 391)
- Coastal Field School (GEOG 424, 457 and 474)
- Hakai Field School (GEOG 453)
- Field Studies in Physical Geography (GEOG 477)
The Faculty of Social Sciences now offers an interdisciplinary service learning course,(SOSC 300). Students take their learning out of the classroom as they complete 40 hours of voluntary work with a community organization. Students are expected to critically reflect on their practicum experience and its implications for social science scholarship and self development. Other classes include a community service learning component such as (EPHE 142).
The offers law students the opportunity to work under the supervision of a senior environmental lawyer to provide legal representation and legal assistance to community/conservation groups and First Nations, produce citizen handbooks and other public legal education materials, and advocate on a wide range of environmental law reform issues.
The team is made up of UVic engineering faculty and students who are competing in the NeXT Challenge, a three year competition between universities sponsored by the US Department of Energy and General Motors. Students use a real-world engineering process to design and integrate their advanced technology solutions into a GM-donated vehicle.
Research
UVic is consistently ranked in the top tier of Canada’s research-intensive universities. UVic researchers lead Canada and the world in addressing some of the most complex fields of inquiry that is facing society, economy and environment.
Our particular research strengths include oceans, climate change, global change and sustainability. Notable research programs include:
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- operates world-leading ocean observatories off the British Columbia coast and in the Arctic. The regional and coastal cabled observatories supply continuous power and Internet connectivity to a broad suite of subsea instruments from the coast to the deep sea, supporting research on complex ocean and Earth processes in ways not previously possible.
- (PICS) is hosted by UVic builds on the strengths of BC’s five research-intensive universities to develop climate change solutions and lead the way to the development of sound public policy and informed effective solutions.
- is a research centre focused on water policy and governance issues, and acts as a bridge between theory and action.
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Learn more about our sustainability-minded research initiatives by visiting the and by checking out the links below:
Research initiatives
Community-based research
- (ISICUE) facilitates collaborative community-university research and partnerships that enhance the quality of life and the economic, environmental and social well-being of communities.
- Centre for Community Health Promotion Research is devoted to creating equitable conditions for health by generating knowledge based on the interrelationship of theory, practice, policy, education, and community-based research.
- Centre for Co-Operative and Community-Based Economy is a campus hub for interdisciplinary research related to co-operatives and community-based economics and societies.
- is a a group of researchers and students that are committed to participatory oriented and community-based research in Canada and around the world.
- is an interdisciplinary collective of faculty researchers, post-doctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate students who are interested in or practice community-based health research.
Experiential Learning: Co-op at UVic
The at UVic provides students with the opportunity to engage in experiential learning during their degree program. During the 2016-2017 academic term, there were at least 138 reported job placements pertaining to sustainability. Students looking to pursue a career relating to sustainability can participate in work terms that are socially, economically and environmentally sustainable.
Help us keep track!
Learning opportunities, new programs, or emerging projects related to climate and sustainability are continuously evolving. If you know of a project or program that should be included on this page please contact action@uvic.ca.