Student and Faculty Research

RRU faculty and students engage in a wide range of research activity related to sustainabilty.

Canada Research Chair
Professor Ann Dale holds the position of Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Communities. Dr. Dale's research focuses on sustainable communities, both virtual and place-based. Visit the Community Research Connections website to learn more.

BSc in Environmental Science
Students in the BScES program are required to complete a major project. These projects are carried out over an eight-month period (January -August) and consist of a team of 4 or 5 students supervised by a faculty advisor. The project is completed for a sponsor and the team identifies and diagnoses a real-world environmental science-related problem. The students design and conduct field procedures, apply their quantitative analytical and decision-making skills, conduct project budgeting and financial reporting activities, and communicate the final results in writing.

Recent projects include:

RRU Green Computing Infrastructure
STARS for RRU

HOW DO YOU GET INVOLVED?

Contact the program office to learn more about sponsoring a project. Selected projects are assigned to student teams in late November each year.

Heather Wanke, Program Associate
250-391-2600 ext. 4138
heather.wanke@royalroads.ca

Sustainability in Program Curriculum
RRU incorporates sustainability in the design of its academic programs. The use of real-life case studies in the curriculum enables students to apply their learning to a current issue, and also provides the case sponsor with solutions for consideration.

In October 2010, 70 BCom students took on the challenge, presented by Associate Vice-President Steve Grundy, of how to reduce the number of cars coming to campus. After two weeks of enthusiastic work as part of their organizational problem-solving class, they presented their proposed solutions to Dr. Grundy. Responses ranged from systems for more flexible carpooling to plans for an on-campus residence, to a plan for a commuter boat that would travel from Victoria into Esquimalt Lagoon. Read more.