Research Partnerships
Challenges are best tackled together. UBC researchers and partners from industry, non-profits, government and communities are finding transformative solutions to issues on local and global scales. These relationships build knowledge, research expertise and infrastructure to solve problems at every scale, from proprietary technology to addressing global health issues and influencing social and environmental change.
BUILDING A PARTNERSHIP
The VPRI Partnership Office helps researchers find and establish research relationships between the university and industry, government, community, and nonprofit partners.
PARTNERSHIP RECOGNITION FUND
The Community Engagement Office offers low-barrier funding for not-for-profit community partners and helps community-based organizations discover opportunities to collaborate and partner with UBC.
INTERIOR UNIVERSITY RESEARCH COALITION
The Interior University Research Coalition (IURC) is a partnership between the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) in Prince George, Thompson Rivers University (TRU) in Kamloops, and the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus in Kelowna. At the heart of this coalition is a shared commitment to participating in partnerships that focus on:
- Fostering research excellence, knowledge and innovation
- Harmonizing resources
- Enhancing academic opportunities
- Increasing benefits for communities throughout the BC Interior
The Power of Partnership
UBC’s Okanagan campus is unique. Our community is connected. The deep and significant relationships we share with our partners empower our research teams to make meaningful discoveries on and off our campus that bring lasting change to the communities we serve. Here are just a few examples.
Early intervention helps adolescent girls and boys living with developmental disabilities transition from school to adult life and find meaningful employment.
The BC Transitioning Youth with Disabilities and Employment (TYDE) Project is an interdisciplinary partner network committed to improving employment outcomes for transitioning youth (ages 14–18) with intellectual disabilities or autism.
Associate Prof. Rachelle Hole with research participant.
From digital technologies to engineering projects of compassion, UBC Okanagan researchers are collaborating with an ever-increasing network to combat homelessness.
Working in close partnership with community organizations supporting Kelowna’s homeless population, engineering students have designed an innovative personal belongings carrier to replace the ubiquitous shopping cart.
Engineering student works on prototype of the personal belongings carrier.
UBC Okangan researchers are working with SCI Action Canada and the Rick Hansen Institute to help people with spinal cord injuries live more active, meaningful lives.
The research highlights the benefits and strategies of getting people with spinal cord injuries involved in exercise and sport.
Prof. Kathleen Martin-Ginis with spinal cord research participant.