News Stories
VIU Researchers Awarded $25,000 In Health Canada's Drug Checking Technology Challenge
April 25, 2019
VIU researchers developing a breakthrough opioid drug testing system using new equipment provided by Thermo Fisher Scientific – were declared semi-finalists in Health Canada’s Drug Checking Technology Challenge. Researchers at Vancouver Island University (VIU) developing a drug-testing system that could one day save lives are getting some much-needed help from Health Canada and a... Read more
VIU Student Makes an Impression at UBC Undergraduate Research Conference
April 8, 2019
VIU undergrad Melynda Bergen took home an award from the University of BC (UBC) Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Conference on March 16, 2019. NANAIMO, BC: Vancouver Island University (VIU) biology student Melynda Bergen made history at the University of BC’s Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Conference last month. She is the first non-UBC student to win an award at... Read more
Raising a Pint of Ale to Build Links to Ancient Cultures
March 29, 2019
A VIU Ethnoarchaeology research project brings the past to life through the re-creation of ancient-inspired ales hailing from ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia and Scandinavia. Digging up centuries-old artifacts to study human activity may not appeal to everyone, but a Vancouver Island University (VIU) Professor and an undergraduate student have found an engaging way to bring the ancient past to life.... Read more
VIU Graduate Student Hopes to Influence Indigenous Learning in Belize
March 19, 2019
VIU Master of Education in Educational Leadership student Miriam Juarez is researching how to incorporate more Maya culture and perspectives into the curriculum taught in her home country of Belize. NANAIMO, BC: Inspired by the ways Vancouver Island University (VIU) has worked with First Nations to bring Indigenous ways of knowing and being into many of its programs and courses,... Read more
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... Read more
VIU's Dr. Patrick Brouder Named BC Regional Innovation Chair for Tourism and Sustainable Rural Development
January 18, 2019
A VIU researcher will explore the impact of tourism development and how it relates to community resilience in rural areas across British Columbia. Vancouver Island University (VIU)’s Dr. Patrick Brouder has been named the new British Columbia Regional Innovation Chair (BCRIC) for Tourism and Sustainable Rural Development. “VIU is excited to have Dr. Brouder join the institution... Read more
Recognizing the Power of Place Names in the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region
January 17, 2019
Long before British Captain George Henry Richards named Mount Arrowsmith in the late 1800s, the largest mountain on southern Vancouver Island had many distinctive titles given to it, depending which side the 1,819 metre peak was viewed from. In 2000, the Arrowsmith moniker was used in the designation of the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region (MABR), a UNESCO recognized biosphere reserve. ... Read more
VIU Research Will Inspire Youth to Preserve Culture and Protect Salmon
January 16, 2019
Having the opportunity to go back to her community as a scholar to support the development of programs to preserve her language and culture is exciting to Vancouver Island University (VIU) Indigenous/Xwulmuxw Studies Professor Dr. Georgina Martin. Martin has been awarded a $50,000 dollar Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Indigenous Research Capacity and Reconciliation... 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,... Read more
Coastal Communities Buoyed by New Fish-Health Lab
January 14, 2019
Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training News Release Communities dependent on fisheries are getting help in protecting British Columbia's fish stocks through the new, provincially funded Centre for Innovation in Fish Health at Vancouver Island University (VIU). “Our coastal communities depend on healthy fish stocks for their economic, social and spiritual well-being. For too long... Read more