News Stories
Exploring the Importance of Snow to Vancouver Island Water Supplies
February 15, 2019
VIU researchers are helping devise new methods of assessing the quality and quantity of water sources in coastal mountains using drones. Vancouver Island University (VIU) researchers are taking a deeper look at snow packs in unique alpine forested watersheds on northern Vancouver Island, with the aim of using drone technology to fill a science knowledge gap on stream flows. VIU Geography... Read more
VIU Researchers Aim to Develop Improved Mapping Methods For Canada's North
January 15, 2019
A Vancouver Island University (VIU) research project will provide a unique opportunity to examine the glacial landscape of Canada’s North, leading to new mapping methods that will help people identify sources of sand, gravel or minerals. Canada’s North is rich in natural resources and a major driver of economic growth in the region. Large mineral deposits could include diamonds, gold, silver,... Read more
Research @VIU: Cultural Geography Students Investigate Perceptions of Bio-Diesel
October 17, 2018
Every year, faculty and students at VIU go out into communities to participate in research that is having significant impacts on the region as well as giving students important experiential learning opportunities. Here are a few projects they engaged in this year. Project four of five. What stops a person from adopting a change in their business operations, and what factors could convince them... Read more
VIU Professor and Master’s Student Collaborate to Develop Vancouver Island's Water Budget
October 3, 2018
In resource-rich Canada, people often assume our water supply is limitless but between contamination and overuse, we have to wonder: how much water is really available? Vancouver Island University (VIU) Geography Professor Dr. Alan Gilchrist and Master of Geographic Information Systems Applications student, Tim Sivak, have partnered with the BC Ministry of Forest, Lands, Natural Resource... Read more
VIU Geography Students Research Barriers to Bio-Diesel Use
May 11, 2018
Research used to increase awareness of bio-diesel as an alternative to fossil fuels What stops a person from adopting a change in their business operations, and what factors could convince them to make that change? Students in Vancouver Island University (VIU) Professor Dr. Matthew Bowes’ upper-level Cultural Geography class are attempting to answer these questions as part of his latest research... Read more
Global Citizenship at the Heart of VIU's GIS Training Program in Ukraine
March 19, 2018
Courses help Ukraine government develop sustainable economic policies NANAIMO, BC: In the spirit of global citizenship, professors from Vancouver Island University (VIU) have helped Ukraine launch a training program in Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) to support sustainable economic growth. The program is the culmination of a five-year partnership between VIU, the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic... Read more
VIU Professor Awarded Prestigious 3M Teaching Fellowship
February 21, 2018
Passion for teaching matched only by helping students discover their own path Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) Dr. Pamela Shaw has received the prestigious 3M Fellowship, which is awarded to only 10 educators annually. It is given for exceptional teaching in a Canadian post-secondary institution. “I am so grateful to receive such an honour,” says Shaw. “I couldn’t believe it when I heard. I... Read more