Research

A wetland with low yellow and light green grass with trees and a mountain range in the background.

VIU-led project working to protect Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region ecosystems

October 3, 2024

Eastern Vancouver Island is one of nine eco-crisis regions in Canada. Only about three per cent of the land in the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region (MABR) is protected and private land ownership is the biggest obstacle. To protect terrestrial lands, people must register them in the Canadian... Read more


VIU Research Assistants Elise Cullon and Katie Carroll. Katie shows Elise a document.

Preserving feminist health history to empower future activism and work

October 1, 2024

Vancouver Island University (VIU) researchers are digitizing Vancouver Women’s Health Collective documents to preserve feminist health activism for future study. “Preserving and publishing these histories shows the promise of feminist models of care and feminist health activism, which have the... Read more


Headshot of Dr. Ajay Shrestha

VIU Computer Science professor investigating AI privacy concerns among young users

September 3, 2024

Dr. Ajay Shrestha and his research team are looking for participants for their research study. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) announced funding for research projects focusing on children’s privacy and the impact of technology on privacy. This research is supported by the OPC... Read more


Meteor shower

VIU News & Experts

July 24, 2024

Wildfire prep and food security through ocean research🐚 In this issue of VIU news & experts:  Preparing for an evacuation Watching the meteor show Diagnosing brain injury in victims of intimate partner violence Presidential race predictions Shellfish safety through testing research Featured... Read more


Chloe McLaughlin stands by a tank, holding an urchin.

Enhancing food sovereignty and security for Indigenous communities

July 23, 2024

Research collaboration between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Vancouver Island University and Indigenous communities focuses on the safety of marine foods. Marine foods have been harvested by Indigenous communities since time immemorial, but climate change and other environmental impacts are... Read more


Sandy sits at his desk with images of brains open on one screen

Researcher looking for participants for brain injury study

July 22, 2024

Dr. Sandy Shultz aims to improve health outcomes for domestic violence survivors Are you a domestic violence survivor? VIU researcher and neuroscientist Dr. Sandy Shultz is part of a project that aims to improve the diagnosis of brain injury in survivors of intimate partner violence. He’s looking... Read more


Dr. Timothy Green, VIU’s Canada Research Chair in Shellfish Health and Genomics stands on a dock next to a boat holding oysters in his hand.

Oyster breeding research aims to address the deadly effects of ocean acidification

July 22, 2024

Vancouver Island University collaborating with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans on research project. Ocean acidification is negatively changing the way oysters grow their shells. Shells are thinner, leaving oysters more vulnerable and resulting in their deaths. Shellfish are an integral part... Read more


Dr. Lindsay McCunn

What is environmental psychology and why is it important?

July 12, 2024

Dr. Lindsay McCunn explains Did you know our physical environments can have a big impact on our health and well-being? Environmental psychologist Dr. Lindsay McCunn, a Vancouver Island University (VIU) Psychology Professor, studies how and why our environments impact individuals and what we can do... Read more


A forest fire

Experts on wildfire prep and water conservation 🔥

June 20, 2024

In this issue of VIU news & experts:  Surviving wildfire season Getting children outdoors and learning on the land Why talking about sex with your kids is important Diagnosing brain injury in victims of intimate partner violence Featured experts Getting wildfire ready The recent wildfire that... Read more


Mountain peaks covered in snow with a cloudy blue sky overhead.

New remote sensing technologies used to measure water from the province’s snowpack and glaciers

June 6, 2024

Hakai Cryosphere Node researchers are using LiDAR technology to measure snowpacks on a grander scale than was possible before. Researchers at the Hakai Cryosphere Node are revolutionizing the way we measure snow and are gaining a better understanding of how wildfires influence the melting of the... Read more