Research

Headshot of Dr. Sara Vogel.

VIU Fulbright scholar advocates for decolonizing sexual education for healthy communities

March 25, 2024

Dr. Sara Vogel joins VIU as the 2024 Fulbright Canada Visiting Research Chair in Indigenous Studies. Dr. Sara Vogel believes sex education is vital for a healthy society but said people don’t have venues to talk about it or learn how to develop healthy sexual habits. Vogel is Vancouver Island... Read more


Headshot of Dr. Ajay Shrestha

5 Questions with Ajay Shrestha

March 19, 2024

Dr. Ajay Shrestha’s interest in computer science began at an early age as he saw firsthand the impact technology had on individuals and communities. Shrestha, a VIU Computer Science Professor, joined VIU in 2022 as a sessional instructor and became a full-time professor within the year. He is also... Read more


Biologist, Ally Badger, kneels in a river surrounded by rocks and water while collecting samples.

VIU researchers investigating origins of toxic tire chemical that can kill salmon

March 12, 2024

VIU research lab at the centre of a large-scale project to detect toxic chemical in Vancouver Island streams. As rain and atmospheric rivers fall on Vancouver Island the seasonal weather also brings the possibility of a toxic chemical entering urban streams from nearby roadways. Vehicle tires... Read more


Headshot of Dr. Marla Morden

Unravelling the mystery of “mommy brain”

March 1, 2024

VIU Psychology Professor Dr. Marla Morden is using innovative eye-tracking technology to conduct her research. Dr. Marla Morden, a Vancouver Island University (VIU) Psychology Professor, is researching the phenomenon commonly called “mommy brain” or “baby brain.” It is typically viewed as a time of... Read more


Headshot of Dr. Yoichi Mukai

VIU researcher exploring the cognitive effort behind achieving second-language fluency

February 28, 2024

Modern Languages Studies Professor Dr. Yoichi Mukai is using eye-tracking technology to explore second-language acquisition. Newcomers to Canada often face challenges in developing fluency in the nation’s official languages and attaining these language skills can have impacts on their future. Dr.... Read more


Andrew Loudon portrait

VIU’s Science and Technology lecture series explores diverse research topics

February 15, 2024

The lecture series kicks off with a talk by Dr. Andrew Loudon about how scientists can harness microbes for our benefit. Explore cutting-edge research during Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) Science and Technology Community Lecture Series this spring. “This year promises to be another exciting... Read more


Farhad Moghimefar paddling a kayak and smiling off into the distance

VIU researcher exploring tourism resilience in rural BC communities

February 14, 2024

Dr. Farhad Moghimehfar named new BC Regional Innovation Chair for Tourism and Sustainable Rural Development. A Vancouver Island University (VIU) researcher is exploring the ability of rural and remote communities to become more resilient through tourism opportunities. Dr. Farhad Moghimehfar is VIU’... Read more


Headshot of Dr. Melissa Huggan.

VIU professor researching adversarial situations on networks

February 9, 2024

Dr. Melissa Huggan received $147,500 in NSERC grants to pursue her research. Dr. Melissa Huggan, a VIU Math Professor, is studying two-player adversarial games that can be used to model real-life problems. Huggan’s research is in the field of graph theory, which is the study of abstract networks.... Read more


10 actors raise their hands in gratitude on a stage.

Dr. Laura Cranmer reawakens Indigenous languages through powerful play

February 8, 2024

The VIU Honorary Research Associate’s play urges reflection on Canada’s collective history and colonial impacts. Warning: Scenes from the Nanaimo Indian Hospital: Reawakening Hul’q’umin’um’, Nuu-chah-nulth and Kwak’wala Languages contains scenes, imagery and language that can be intense and... Read more


signing

The Re-VIU: Top 20 stories of 2023

December 21, 2023

From climate anxiety to cheese rolling, psychedelic research and a big moment for mushrooms, these were VIU’s top stories of 2023. #1: Say cheese Our most unusual mention comes courtesy of VIU Theatre student Delaney Irving, who won a unique global contest – in a very unique way. Irving made... Read more