Research that has vital impact

Our 128 research faculty engage in internationally-recognized research that creates ground-breaking knowledge, improves and enriches lives, and addresses the world's greatest challenges.

Researcher Leigh Joseph shares her knowledge of plants during community workshops.

Our reputation and outstanding research facilities attract graduate students who are passionate about health-related topics, archaeology, social justice, international relations, climate, oceans and coastal environments.

$22+ million research funding

Over the past three years, our researchers attracted more than $22 million from external funding partners.

Award winning faculty

Social Sciences researchers have received significant national awards, including the Order of Canada, Royal Society of Canada College of New Scholars and the Trudeau Fellowship.

Research spotlight

Q & A on global efforts to reverse desertification

Restoration of degraded drylands is urgently needed to mitigate climate change, reverse desertification and secure livelihoods for the two billion people who live in these areas, says, University of Victoria restoration ecologist Nancy Shackelford, lead author of a new study.

National award a boost to marine conservation

Inspiring new approaches to marine conservation, Natalie Ban is at the leading edge of finding real-world solutions to environmental issues. For her work, Ban received today the prestigious E.W.R. Steacie Memorial Fellowship from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

Sea otters boost genetic diversity of eelgrass meadows

A unique interaction between sea otters and the flowing plant known as eelgrass has researchers looking closer at the co-evolution of the two species. In a paper published today in the journal Science, University of Victoria geography PhD graduate, Erin Foster, explains how the digging activities of sea otters disturbs eelgrass beds, which in turn leads to greater genetic plant diversity

Melanie Clapham examines a facial recognition device attached to a tree in a forest.

Facial recognition AI software identifies individual bears

A research project led by UVic geography postdoctoral fellow Melanie Clapham proves that individual brown bears can be identified from photographs alone.

More Social Sciences research news

Research centres

Our faculty, students and postdoctoral fellows are affiliated with many research centres at the University of Victoria:

Research plan

The Faculty of Social Sciences Research Plan guides us as we make a vital impact globally and locally. It describe our main research themes and innovative approaches to conducting research within the faculty. It details current and future research activities, with a global and local focus. It also includes a summary of research accomplishments that highlights published work and external funding for research.

If you have comments or questions about our Research Plan, please contact the Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies.