VIU News & Experts: February 27, 2025

VIU Insights: Youth Anxiety, Algae Toxins

Hundreds of central Island high school students will be competing in the Skills Canada BC regional competition at VIU’s Nanaimo campus on Thursday, March 6. Students will compete in a range of different trades and technology categories, from carpentry and welding to hairdressing. Dover Bay Secondary School will host the 2D and 3D animation competitions at the same time. Gold medal winners will progress to the provincial competition on April 16 in Abbotsford, where they will try to earn the chance to compete at nationals, which are in Regina at the end of May. Agenda:

• Automotive (Building 150): 8:30 am to 2 pm
• Carpentry (Building 108): 8:30 am to 2:30 pm
• Hairdressing (Building 164): 9:30 am to 1:45 pm
• Welding (Building 130): 8:30 am to noon

Featured experts

Youth mental health expert coming to VIU

“Fine” is a 4-letter word: Helping youth navigate anxiety and depression

Calling all caregivers! Do you worry about your child’s mental health and well-being? Wondering what you can do to help? Come to a keynote talk and interactive discussion with mental health expert Dr. Shahana Alibhai on March 11 at 6:30 pm. CKNW radio host Jas Johal will moderate an audience Q&A following her talk.
 
Vancouver Island University’s Engaged Citizens Speaker Series, which takes place annually in the Malaspina Theatre, tackles timely, relevant and thought-provoking topics that matter to our community. This year’s event is a partnership with Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools.
 
Date: Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Location: Malaspina Theatre (Building 310), VIU’s Nanaimo campus
Time: 6:30 to 8 pm, doors open at 6 pm
 
Thank you to Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools, TD Insurance and VIU Alumni for sponsoring this event!

Canada-US Relations

From tariffs to comments about Canada becoming the 51st state, US President Donald Trump is keeping Canadian politicians busy developing strategies to maintain relations with the unpredictable leader of our neighbouring country. From how the political landscape in Canada is changing as a result, to Canada's place in the world order, to managing feelings of anger, fear and feelings of helplessness, VIU experts are happy to share their thoughts.

Looking for an expert for another story? Connect with VIU Experts.

VIU news

Detecting harmful algae toxins

VIU researchers Dr. Chris Gill and Lucas Abruzzi are developing cutting-edge techniques using paper spray mass spectrometry to quickly and affordably detect harmful algae toxins in freshwater bodies across Canada. They are collaborating on the project with the National Research Council (NRC) of Canada’s Halifax lab.
 
“As global warming has increased, the prevalence of these blooms has also increased, and they threaten access to safe drinking water supplies as well as recreational opportunities across Canada,” said Dr. Chris Gill, a VIU Chemistry Professor and Co-Director of Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Applied Environmental Research Laboratories. “The risk to human health is significant: dogs and wildlife have died from the effects of water contaminated with these toxins." Learn more about this research.

Celebrating social prescribing 

One in four Canadians over the age of 65 live alone and nearly 50% of Canadians over the age of 80 report feelings of loneliness, according to the Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing. The Nanaimo Division of Family Practice’s pilot Social Prescribing Program is an innovative initiative aimed at reducing social isolation and improving health outcomes for seniors aged 55 and older. By supporting seniors in aging at home, Social Prescribing reduces hospital admissions, emergency visits, and ambulance calls – ultimately improving quality of life while saving an estimated $268 million per year in health-care costs. 
 
VIU is hosting a free community event, Social Prescribing in Nanaimo and The Connection Cure, on Sunday, March 2, at Bowen Park Complex. The event will be a unique opportunity to explore the benefits of Social Prescribing with renowned author and journalist Julia Hotz. Hotz’s work has been instrumental in advocating for community-based health solutions and the power of human connection in improving well-being. 

Teaching children about climate change

VIU Education Professor Wendy Simms received a $4,700 Accelerator Grant from Lakehead University to support her initiative to help teachers teach children about climate change. She and a team of researchers are creating a curated list of children’s picture books that can help with challenging conversations related to climate change, climate justice and climate anxiety. Read more.

VIU in the news

Dr. Michael MacKenzie, VIU’s Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership, weighs in on whether Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre can attract a winning base when Canadian sovereignty is on the line in a Tyee article.
 
What a game last week! Psychology Professor Dr. Cameron Gordon was on CityNews 1130 last week talking about the morale boost Canadians got from the win over the American team amidst political tensions and economic uncertainty.
 
The VIU Mariners women’s volleyball team won the PacWest provincial championship last weekend on home turf. The men’s team earned a bronze medal. The Nanaimo Bulletin was there.
 
Nicholas Rae,  a VIU Master of Community Planning student, makes the case for introducing congestion pricing across Metro Vancouver to reduce traffic woes and ensure TransLink’s survival in the Daily Hive.
 
All-Star guard Makayla Kimble of the VIU Mariners women's basketball team talks to Ryan Watters from the PACWEST Behind The Arc and shares why someone from the east coast of the US is playing collegiate basketball in Nanaimo.
  
VIU Automotive students will benefit from the Ladysmith Show 'n’ Shine, which raised $3,000 for bursaries. Read more.
 
Award-winning journalist Brandi Morin was VIU's 2024 Indigenous Speakers Series keynote presenter. Listen to her talk and an interview with CBC Ideas host Nahlah Ayed.
 
Did you feel the earthquake last week? Jenn Houtby-Ferguson, a Recreation and Tourism Management Professor and emergency preparedness expert, was on the Wave talking about preparing for earthquakes.

Happening at VIU

International Women’s Day 

VIUFA’s Women’s and Gender Equity Committee is hosting an event in recognition of International Women’s Day. Seeding Revolution: Feminist Organizing in Fascist Times is March 7 from 10 am to 1 pm in the Royal Arbutus Room (Building 300, Room 401). Faculty panelists include Collette Jones, Finn Meyer Cook, Imogene Lim and Sarah Lovegrove, with music by Sonnet L’abbé. 

A Midsummer Night’s Dream 🎭 

A night of comedy, an enchanted forest and mischievous magic is coming to VIU’s Malaspina Theatre. The Theatre department presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The play runs at Malaspina Theatre from March 6 to 15, starting at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $10 on Showpass plus a processing fee, or $10 at the door.

Trish Shwart exhibit 🎨 

VIU’s View Gallery is hosting IRL an exhibition by Trish Shwart. The exhibit runs until April 4 at the gallery (Building 330). An opening reception is on Thursday, March 13 from 4 to 6 pm. An artist talk is Friday, March 14 from noon to 1 pm. The gallery is open Tuesday to Friday, from 10 am to 4 pm during exhibits. 

Colloquium talk

Dr. Paul db Watkins’ new book Soundin’ Canaan: Black Canadian Poetry, Music, and Citizenship examines the contributions of key Black Canadian poets.

“Soundin’ Canaan explores the rich tapestry of Black Canadian poets, interweaving a narrative of literary, cultural and musical histories,” says Watkins. His book includes an accompanying soundtrack, which Watkins says invites the readers to “immerse themselves in the interplay between text and sound.” 

Watkins’ presents his VIU Arts and Humanities Colloquium talk Soundin’ Canaan: Remixing the Remix on March 7, 10 to 11:30 am at Malaspina Theatre (Building 310) Free to attend.