Making a difference

Be brilliant
by nature

 Melissa Manuel finds that UVic’s natural surroundings help her de-stress from her day-to-day routine.

 Thomas Diesch and Ashley Currie spent their co-op terms as research assistants studying raccoons in the picturesque Gulf Islands.

Matt Hamilton feels that the west coast is like a character in his writing.

As an urban geographer, the city of Victoria is Andrew Shopland's laboratory.

Leigh Joseph's Coast Salish heritage gives her a cultural connection to UVic’s coastal location, where she was inspired to study biology and ethnobotany.

Grad student Anthony Kroeker finds that UVic's natural setting puts things in perspective. It helps him to focus on what's important.

Mike Han is enthusiastic about the west coast lifestyle -- it motivates him to get involved in the community.

Originally from Romania, Angela Jurj can't get enough of Victoria's year-round activities.

Carli Kennedy was the 2008 winner of the Victoria Medal as the top fine arts student. She, loves taking advantage of all that the West Coast has to offer.

Jessie Toynbee takes full advantage of our amazing West Coast environment, whether that means swimming in the local lakes or hiking a local mountain during a study break.

Inspiring
teaching

Ed Ishiguro is known for his love of teaching, and makes the learning experience unforgettable.

One of Canada’s most beloved and talented poets, Lorna Crozier instills the love of language in her students.

Award-winning education professor Helen Raptis believes teaching is all about engagement.

Business professor Dr. A.R. Elangovan has been recognized for his commitment to teaching by numerous “top professor of the year” awards given by his students.

Students in Lara Lauzon's classes share her enthusiasm for health and wellness. They excel when they see the link between an active, healthy lifestyle and their own potential.

Maureen Bradley, an Associate Professor in the Department of Writing, is an award-winning filmmaker who involves students in the world of film.

Award- winning Psychology professor Dr. Martin Smith structures his courses around three themes: engagement, activity and personalization.

UVic School of Nursing professor Gweneth Doane is a past winner of Canada’s top university teaching honour, the prestigious 3M Teaching Fellowship. She exemplifies the type of inspiring teaching you'll find throughout UVic.

Ian Walker shares his knowledge and passion for his field in lectures and, more importantly, through 'real world' examples and research experiences.

Research

Brad Buckham’s leadership role in wave energy research is putting UVic at the forefront of the clean energy sector.

As Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Knowledge and Learning and director of Aboriginal Education at UVic, Lorna Williams has brought core principles and practices of traditional learning into teacher education.

Andrew Rippin focuses his research on the interpretation of the Qur'an—the central religious text of Islam—and its core influence on Islamic civilization.

Sociologist Neena Chappell studies quality of life for seniors, caregiving, and the health care system and related policies.

Computer scientist Dr. Margaret-Anne Storey's research looks at how human behaviour, human technology and social structures interact to design new software for managing large amounts of information.

NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Water Asit Mazumder's research is helping to ensure sustainable, clean and healthy aquatic ecosystems.

David Sinton, Canada Research Chair in Integrated Microfluidics and Nanofluidics, describes the focus of his research as "plumbing, but not on the conventional scale."

UVic astronomer Kim Venn is fascinated by the serendipitous chemical reactions in the universe that led to our existence.

Curran Crawford is a member of UVic's Institute for Integrated Energy Systems (IESVic), a leader in the promotion and development of creative energy alternatives.

For UVic astrophysicist Dr. Arif Babul, the Universe is more comprehensible each day. In fact, he believes astronomers are on the the brink of explaining the origin of the Universe.

Making
a difference

WITS, an anti-bullying program developed by Bonnie Leadbeater, is making an impact in the real world.

Dan Cantiller is a resource person for the Positive Space Network, a visible network of students, faculty, staff and alumni working to make the University of Victoria a safer and more inclusive space for people of all genders and sexualities.

Through the UVic Speakers Bureau, graduate student Tanjeem Azad connects with members of the community who are impacted by her research on eyewitness testimony.

As the Adviser to the Provost on Equity and Diversity, Grace Wong Sneddon is working on advancing diversity at UVic.

Graduate student Nathan West is a volunteer with the UVic Speaker’s Bureau.

Aliki Marinakis' work in the faculty of Education's Indigenous Education unit is helping to ensure that Indigenous languages survive.

Dr. Jamie Dopp finds poetry a powerful way for students to tap into their emotions.

UVic's Centre for Aboriginal Health Research is helping Aboriginal communities find strategies to improve health.

Francis Lau Lau is humbled by his recent experience working with a palliative care team at a local hospice. His research helps the team support families of the patients there.

Amanda and Jessie are two members of UVic's Native Students Union, a group that facilitates strong cultural and spiritual ties between First Nations, Métis, Inuit, status and non-status students.

Real life
learning

Katheryn Jones’ co-op term with a non-profit society working with weavers in Peru had a global impact.

Shane Morrissey’s co-op placement helping teens with special needs opened his eyes to career choices and options.

Britney Allen became the 60,000th co-op student to secure a co-op work term when she was hired as a science/technology summer camp instructor.

Andrew Smith found his creative niche in visual arts, and furthered that passion through UVic's co-op program.

Fiona Nordean's co-op position at the Vancouver Island Technology Park gave her experience in participating in strategy meetings, writing proposals and working with local entrepreneurs.

Sara Statham's co-op term engaged her in field work, something not possible through academic learning alone.

Natasha Marshall recently spent two co-op terms as a mental health supervisor assistant and youth support worker for her Indigenous community.

In her co-op term, Jen Comer experienced first-hand how young professionals are an asset in the workplace because of the passion, unique perspectives and knowledge they bring to situations.

Sean Toscano learned real-world professional skills and gained hands-on industry experience in his two co-op placements in UVic's Systems department. His projects are used by thousands of students every day.

After Jennifer Richardson spent a four-month co-op work term as a customer service representative with the Bank of Montreal's Financial Group she went on to a permanent position with the Ministry of Community Services.