VIU students showcase their research projects during the CREATE conference

What: VIU CREATE Conference – a celebration of student scholarship, research and creative activity

When: April 8 to 12, various times

Where: VIU’s Nanaimo campus and online events

More than 350 Vancouver Island University (VIU) students are presenting during CREATE 2024.

The annual conference aims to recognize and celebrate student scholarship, research and creative activity and provide them an opportunity to share their work and get feedback. This year’s conference runs from April 8 to 12 at various locations on the Nanaimo campus.

“CREATE is VIU’s largest student knowledge-sharing event, and we are always very excited to learn about all the amazing things VIU students are working on,” said Vanessa Moraes, Student Research Engagement Coordinator for VIU’s Scholarships, Research and Creative Activity office. “The most common themes for CREATE 2024 are health, resilience and well-being, and equity, diversity and social justice. We are preparing to showcase more than 200 student projects, including posters, oral presentations, shorts, podcasts, photography and more. From academic to creative activities, there is space for everybody at CREATE, and we look forward to welcoming the community to be part of this year’s celebration of student research and creativity!”

Highlights of the conference that are open to the public include:

• Research and infographic poster sessions in the Upper Cafeteria (Building 300) from April 8 to 11, 9 am to 5 pm. 
• Opening ceremony and keynote address on April 8 at 1 pm, featuring Hayden Lansdell, Assistant Deputy Minister of the BC Data Service and Government’s Director of Statistics.
• CREATE Short Films event on April 8, from 5 to 6:30 pm, at the Malaspina Theatre (Building 310). The event features 10 short films produced by VIU students. At 7 pm, the Inclusive Theatre Collective (Hooray!) – ITCH, presents an original play by student Ceridwen Nord. Medieval Madness is a farcical murder mystery starring a diverse group of VIU students as cast and crew. 
• Project Pitch is April 9 from 2 to 4 pm in the Royal Arbutus Room (Building 300). Students will pitch their ideas for a chance to receive a $3,000 grant for their project.
• Graduate students will compete during the 3 Minute Thesis on April 10 from 5 to 7 pm in the Royal Arbutus Room (Building 300). The winner will represent VIU at Western regionals.
• Creative Writing students read their poetry during Spoken Work on April 11 in the Madrona Room in the VIU Library (Building 305).  

CREATE 2024 is made possible through the generous support of our event sponsor Coastal Community Credit Union. Learn more about CREATE.

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Media Contact:

Rachel Stern, Communications Officer, Vancouver Island University

C: 250.618.0373l E: Rachel.Stern@viu.ca | X: @VIUNews

The VIU community acknowledges and thanks the Snuneymuxw, Quw’utsun, Tla’amin, Snaw-naw-as and Qualicum First Nation on whose traditional lands we teach, learn, research, live and share knowledge.