From left: Dr. Greg Garrard, associate dean research & graduate studies, Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies; Dr. Mark Goodwin, deputy vice-chancellor, global engagement, University of Exeter; and Dr. Melissa Percival, associate dean global, College of Humanities, University of Exeter.
On December 7, 2021, UBC Okanagan and the University of Exeter put pen to paper on a statement of cooperation to further strengthen the relationship between the institutions and encourage cooperation in the areas of academic exchange, education, and research.
Building on previous agreements, the universities have now agreed to create the UBCO-Exeter Excellence Initiative. This includes the creation of three funding schemes over the next three years, in the form of Initiator and Catalyst Grants and a Visiting Scholar Joint Fellowship Scheme. The grant lines will help professors and researchers at the University of Exeter and in UBC’s Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies and Irving K Barber School of Arts and Social Sciences tackle research and/or education challenges through collaboration.
Exeter DVC Goodwin says, “UBC and Exeter are engaging through partnership to address some really vital, shared challenges of our time. The excellence initiative will enable people of both institutions to work together and combine their knowledge and expertise to generate new knowledge, new opportunities for faculty and students, and bring impact to our communities.”
Dr. Greg Garrard, associate dean, research and graduate studies, Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, adds: “It has been an absolute pleasure to visit the Streatham campus, meet with scholars undertaking innovative research, and renew UBC Okanagan’s partnership with the University of Exeter. I’m confident the joint funding we’re announcing will take our existing collaboration to a new level.”
Calls for applications to the grant schemes are now available, and in spring 2022 full details of the fellowship offer for visiting scholars will be shared across Exeter and UBC.
