The VOICE study has just finished the second phase of its research program investigating healthy community development at UBC’s Okanagan campus.
In October a community dialogue was undertaken to increase understanding of diverse interests in sustainability on the Okanagan campus, with a particular focus on the Old Pond Trail area adjacent to the new Sustainability House project. Student VOICE researchers collected over 800 responses for this phase of the study, which included responses from students, faculty and staff from across the university.
Overall, survey respondents expressed ideas consistent with UBC’s sustainability vision: recognition of the interdependence among social, environmental and economic interests and the need for individual responsibility and integrated interdisciplinary work to balance these interests.
The main research findings include:
- A pervasive willingness of students, faculty and staff to be involved and contribute to campus sustainability.
- Respondents identified many sustainable campus practices and a strong desire to see more options and opportunities. Some practices and ideas for improving campus sustainability were noted to be of competing interest.
- Respondents highlighted a variety of ideas that could be implemented across campus and called for an organized, collaborative, action for the common good of future generations.
- The Old Pond Trail area was seen to offer a unique opportunity to operationalize the concept of a “Living Lab” on campus. Features of the area include ecological richness and variety of university activities. Campus interests connect here in diverse ways — providing an opportunity for cross departmental and disciplinary collaboration.
To read the full report, or find out more, visit the Health and Wellness website.
