VIU CREATE 2019 and Research Week

Hundreds of students and faculty will be participating in Vancouver Island University’s largest showcase event, CREATE 2019 and Research Week. 

WHEN: April 8 – 13, 2019 

WHERE: Various locations across the Nanaimo Campus 

NANAIMO, BC: Vancouver Island University (VIU) faculty and students are gearing up to show off their scholastic, research and creative projects during the University’s second annual Research Week and the seventh annual CREATE Conference.

The CREATE Conference is a three-day event that showcases major undergraduate and graduate student projects through posters, artwork, displays, performances and presentations. 

For many students, it will be the first time participating in a conference. Approximately 200 students from trades, arts and humanities, sciences, social sciences, health and human services, fine arts, applied technology and media studies will be competing for $2,500 in awards including the ”People’s Choice” award decided by public vote. 

From Tuesday, April 9 – Thursday, April 11, new posters designed by students detailing their projects will be put on display in the Upper Cafeteria (Bldg 300). On Wednesday, April 10, 40 students have signed up to give 10-minute presentations of their work and answer questions from the audience covering everything from chemistry to social change. Community Based Applied Interdisciplinary Research (CBAIR) presentations include: Heed the Lorax: Eco forestry on Vancouver Island and The Good Food Box Program: An Evaluation of Nutritional Sustainability in Nanaimo, BC. 

Wednesday’s Scholarship Slam challenges students to present their projects in just three minutes using props and costumes. The idea is to have fun, be creative and get the audience excited about their project. The ROARING Success Award will be given out based on audience approval and interest, which will be measured by sound levels, laughter, nods of understanding and other such proven mechanisms of interest and enjoyment. 

On Friday, April 12, approximately 20 VIU Faculty and Staff will be giving 15-minute oral presentations at the 2nd annual Research and Creative Activity Symposium, which includes a lunchtime panel with VIU’s three BC Regional Innovation and Canada Research Chairs on the topic of “Engaging Students and Community in Research that Matters.” 

Throughout the week there will be various student-led visual and performing arts activities that push the boundaries of creativity, language and communication, a student music concert series and even a soup and bannock noon-hour lecture. Look for poetry, hip-hop and a class’s reflection on the human skeleton explored through copper etchings on Thursday afternoon in the Royal Arbutus Room. 

Outside of the Nanaimo campus, there is a scheduled BioBlitz event at Milner Gardens and guided tours at Deep Bay Marine Field Station. 

“We anticipate Research Week will continue to grow as both faculty and students recognize it as a venue to share knowledge, and celebrate the learning, talents, and discoveries of our entire VIU community,” says Tanis Dagert, VIU Community Liaison and Knowledge Mobilization Officer for Scholarship, Research, and Creative Activity.

All activities and free to attend and open to everyone. 

Detailed event itineraries can be viewed here:

https://research.viu.ca/student-research/create

https://research.viu.ca/research-week

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MEDIA CONTACT: 

Annette Lucas, Communications Officer, Vancouver Island University

O: 250-741-2020 | C:  250.618.7296 | E: Communications@viu.ca