SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Grasslands Conversation Council (GCC) of British Columbia

TRU faculty members Dr. Tom Dickinson and Dr. Wendy Gardner provide expert leadership to the GCC, which collaborates with all levels of government to share evidence-based practices for sustainable land management across British Columbia.

Canada Wildfire

TRU is a member of Canada Wildfire, a national collaboration focused on wildfire resilience and management, with Dr. Mike Flannigan serving as Science Director.

Indigenous land use and tourism policy research

Dr. Courtney Mason, professor and Canada research chair in Rural Livelihoods and Sustainable Communities at TRU, leads research on the viability of tourism and protected areas as strategies for Indigenous land development. His findings inform policy on rural and Indigenous land use development, management, and governance.

Centre for Wildfire Research, Education, Training and Innovation

TRU's Centre for Wildfire Research, Education, Training and Innovation works with the BC Wildfire Service, Indigenous partners and policymakers across Western Canada to advance wildfire research, training and education that supports wildfire management and community resilience.

Population Health and Aging Rural Research Centre

The Population Health and Aging Rural Research Centre works with rural community leaders, health-care providers, people with lived experience and policymakers to develop research and solutions that improve health equity, healthy aging and dementia care for rural older adults.

Brain Health Coalition

The Brain Health Coalition brings together health authorities, community organizations, Indigenous partners, researchers and health-care providers to advance brain health education, research and community-based solutions through local, regional and national initiatives.

Community and Cultural Mapping Research Group

TRU's Community and Cultural Mapping Research Group works with municipalities, community organizations and government partners to support community planning and policy development through cultural mapping and community-engaged research.

Disaster Resilience Research Network

TRU faculty member Dr. Bala Nikku is a member of the UBC Disaster Resilience Research Network, a collaboration of researchers and partners working to inform disaster risk reduction, resilience planning and emergency management policy and practice.

Tourism, Reconciliation and Indigenous-Led Conservation in British Columbian Protected Areas Knowledge Hub

TRU faculty members Dr. Courtney Mason and Jason Waub-Addick Johnston lead a Knowledge Hub that works with Indigenous communities to support Indigenous-led conservation, tourism development and land stewardship in protected areas across British Columbia.

First Nations Health Authority

TRU faculty member Dr. Sheila Blackstock serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of the First Nations Health Authority, providing governance and leadership to advance First Nations health priorities and health-system transformation in British Columbia.

Community Action Kamloops

Dwayne Geiger, Partnership Transitions Coordinator, participated in the Community Action Kamloops on behalf of TRU, providing input from the trades and post-secondary sector and supporting connections between community initiatives and the university.

Kamloops Immigrant Services

TRU faculty members Dr. Gloria Ramirez and Dr. Tanya Manning-Lewis serve on the board of Kamloops Immigrant Services, an organization that supports newcomers and immigrant communities through settlement, integration and community support programs.

The British Columbia Literacy Council

TRU faculty member Dr. Gloria Ramirez serves on the Board of the British Columbia Literacy Council, a provincial non-profit organization that advances literacy through professional development, advocacy and collaboration with educational and community partners across British Columbia.

Cell phone recycling in Kamloops

Master’s student Poornima Gunasekera evaluated the effectiveness of the Return-It mobile phone recycling program in Kamloops, identifying barriers to participation, measuring public awareness, and recommending communication and behavioural strategies to improve electronic waste recycling and support more sustainable waste management practices.

Teachers with International Teaching Qualifications

TRU faculty and education partners completed the first round of the Teachers with International Teaching Qualifications (TWINQ) pilot project, providing internationally educated teachers with classroom experience in B.C. schools and exploring approaches to addressing teacher shortages in the province’s Interior region.

Causal link between dementia and pollution

Dr. Meng Sun's research identified a causal relationship between air pollution and dementia, demonstrating that pollution reduction can lower dementia prevalence and associated healthcare costs.

Developing a digital disaster documents system for essential documents

Dr. Mahed Choudhury was part of a research team that, with support from the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction, examined how a digital disaster preparedness tool could support decision-making, emergency planning and community resilience across Canada.

Social learning and collective action in flood-hazard management in Manitoba, Canada

Dr. Mahed Choudhury contributed to a research project that explored how flood experiences and community learning can be translated into collective action, providing evidence to support disaster risk reduction and resilience planning.

WRCC Building Foundational Knowledge Gathering

TRU hosted the Wildfire Resilience Consortium of Canada's Building Foundational Knowledge Gathering, bringing together wildfire researchers, fire agencies, Indigenous partners and community organizations from across Canada to share knowledge and strengthen collaboration on wildfire resilience, policy and practice.

British Columbia Protected Areas Research Forum

TRU hosted the British Columbia Protected Areas Research Forum, bringing together researchers, advocates, park managers, students and community members to share knowledge and discuss research and management approaches for parks and protected areas across British Columbia.

GCC Exploring BC’s Grasslands: Mini Conference

Hosted at TRU in collaboration with TRU’s Wildlife Club, Botany Club, Eco-Club and Kamloops Naturalist Club, the Mini Conference brought together researchers, conservation organizations and community members to share knowledge on grassland conservation.

Climate, Tourism, and Recreation Conference

TRU hosted the Climate, Tourism and Recreation Conference, bringing together researchers, government representatives, industry professionals and community organizations to discuss the impacts of climate change on tourism and recreation and explore strategies for adaptation and resilience.

Human Security in Southeast Asia Conference

In partnership with the University of Victoria's Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives, TRU's Canada and the Asia-Pacific Policy Project (CAPPP) co-hosted the Human Security in Southeast Asia Conference, bringing together researchers, policymakers and community partners to discuss challenges related to health, climate, development, labour and human security in the Indo-Pacific region.

Building Resilience: Canada’s Engagement with the Indo-Pacific on Non-Traditional Security Threats

TRU's Canada and Asia Pacific Policy Project (CAPPP) hosted an international conference that brought together scholars, policymakers, practitioners and students to discuss climate change, human security, disaster governance, cybersecurity and other emerging challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

5th Indo-Pacific Strategy Forum

TRU co-hosted the 5th Indo-Pacific Strategy Forum with the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy, bringing together policymakers, diplomats, industry leaders and academics to discuss Canada's Indo-Pacific strategy, trade diversification and regional security challenges.

Mobilizing Aging in Place Knowledge Summit

Dr. Wendy Hulko led the Mobilizing Aging in Place Knowledge Summit, bringing together researchers, older adults and community partners to share findings from aging-in-place research and discuss opportunities and challenges related to supporting independence and well-being in later life.

Stigma of Dementia in Rural Communities Workshop

The PHARR Centre hosted a workshop that brought together community members, health professionals and researchers to explore strategies for reducing dementia-related stigma in rural communities through presentations, panel discussions and collaborative dialogue.

Livable Cities, Collaborative Communities (LCCC)

The LCCC initiative is an ongoing TRU-led collaboration involving faculty, students, government, industry, and Indigenous and community organizations. Through conferences, workshops, roundtables and collaborative research activities, the initiative supports knowledge sharing and the development of best practices related to sustainability, climate action and community resilience.

TRU, BCWS strengthen wildfire management co-operation with France

In partnership with the BC Wildfire Service, TRU hosted a delegation from France to support international knowledge sharing on wildfire management. The collaboration builds on Canada–France efforts to exchange expertise, training, data and best practices related to wildfire preparedness, emergency response and climate resilience.

Ukrainian Values in a Global World

TRU faculty member Dr. Oleksandr Kondrashov leads Ukrainian Values in a Global World, an international academic and professional conference series that brings together scholars, practitioners and community leaders to explore Ukrainian identity, cultural heritage, resilience and contemporary social issues through dialogue and knowledge sharing.

Global Fire Management Hub

TRU was a partner in the first Global Fire Management Hub Plenary, an international forum co-organized by the FAO, that convenes scientists, policymakers, community leaders and practitioners to share knowledge, build partnerships and strengthen global fire management efforts.

Critical Tourism Studies X

With institutional support from TRU and participation from TRU members, CTS X brought together scholars, practitioners and community members to exchange perspectives on tourism, hospitality, events, leisure and sport.

Lived Experiences of the Toxic Drug Crisis: Cultural Mapping in BC’s Small Cities

TRU researchers work with health-sector and community partners to document lived experiences of the toxic drug overdose crisis through cultural mapping and community-engaged research. The project generates evidence on community impacts, health risks and service needs to support policy, planning and coordinated responses to the crisis.

British Columbia Simulation Network Conference

TRU hosted the 2025 British Columbia Simulation Network Conference which brought together simulationists, educators and healthcare professionals from across British Columbia for two days of networking, interprofessional workshops and knowledge exchange.

TRU Gaglardi workshop on ESG and sustainability

This workshop brought together academics, policy makers and industry experts to exchange ideas on ESG issues.

Administrative Sciences Association of Canada Conference

Gaglardi faculty and students participated in the annual Administrative Sciences Association of Canada Conference, joining academics, students and business professionals to share research, exchange ideas and explore innovations in management practice.

2025 AI Summit

The Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics 2025 AI Summit brought together industry leaders, faculty and students to explore the role of generative AI in education, business and society. Through panel discussions, presentations and knowledge sharing, participants examined how AI is shaping learning, workplaces and communities.

Map the System

Jenna Sims, a TRU Bachelor of Health Science student, represented Canada at the international Map the System competition at the University of Oxford, where she presented research on the root causes of British Columbia’s primary care crisis.

ICT at Hotels and Sustainability Symposium

Led by TRU’s Faculty of Adventure, Culinary Arts and Tourism, The ICT at Hotels and Sustainability Symposium brought together researchers, local government, tourism organizations and accommodation providers to discuss sustainability, climate action and innovation in the hotel sector through presentations, panel discussions and networking opportunities.

BC Tourism Industry Conference

TRU faculty participated in the BC Tourism Industry Conference, joining tourism organizations, Indigenous tourism leaders and industry professionals to discuss sustainability and the future of tourism in British Columbia. Dr. Patrick Brouder participated in the Next Gen Tourism: Bridging Education and Industry panel.

Sustainability Transitions in Tourism Webinar

For World Tourism Day, TRU Associate Professor Patrick Brouder joined his co-editor Dr. Piotr Niewiadomski for a webinar based on their special issue on "Sustainability Transitions in Tourism", which appeared last year in the academic journal Tourism Geographies.

Travel and Tourism Research Association Conference

TRU hosted the 2025 TTRA Canada Conference, bringing together tourism researchers, industry professionals and tourism leaders from across Canada for three days of collaboration, knowledge sharing and discussions on the future of tourism.

International Indigenous Tourism Conference 2025

TRU faculty and students participated in the International Indigenous Tourism Conference 2025, joining Indigenous tourism leaders, industry professionals, researchers and community partners to share knowledge, explore emerging issues and discuss the future of Indigenous tourism.

Workplace Investigations in Canada Conference

TRU co-hosted the Workplace Investigations in Canada: Current Issues and Future Directions conference, bringing together government officials, employment lawyers, employers, practitioners and academics to explore emerging issues in workplace investigations, employment law and workplace regulation.

Anti Oppressive Gerontological Social Work Symposium

Co-organized by Dr. Wendy Hulko, this three-part series brought together researchers, educators, practitioners, students and older adults to advance dialogue on anti-oppressive social work, aging and inclusion.

Educational Research Symposium

Dr. Gloria Ramirez delivered a keynote on decolonizing research at the 3rd Educational Research Symposium at the University of Monterrey, contributing to international dialogue on participatory, community-engaged research and collaborative approaches to working with Indigenous communities.

AILA World Congress

Dr. Gloria Ramirez presented Morphological awareness in Indigenous language revitalization at the International Association of Applied Linguistics 60th Anniversary World Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Re/Awakening Dignity Conference

Co-organized by TRU and Dr. Yasmin Dean, this international conference brought together researchers, practitioners, artists and community members to explore human dignity, social justice, inclusion and collective responses to global challenges through dialogue, scholarship and shared learning.

Vulnerability to Viability Global Partnership

TRU faculty member Dr. Bala Nikku is a co-investigator with the Vulnerability to Viability Global Partnership, an international research network that collaborates with communities, governments, NGOs and universities across Africa and Asia to gather and compare data on the resilience and sustainability of small-scale fisheries.

International Polar Tourism Research Network

TRU faculty member Dr. Patrick Brouder serves on the steering committee of the International Polar Tourism Research Network, an international collaboration that brings together researchers, governments, tourism operators and communities to advance knowledge and research on tourism in polar regions.

The Global-Hub on Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems

TRU’s President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Airini and Dr. Rod McCormick are contributing to an innovative global think-tank that advances Indigenous food and knowledge systems by centering Indigenous-led research, governance and culturally grounded policy pathways.

Resilient Community Futures Research Network (RCFRN)

TRU faculty Bala Nikku and Nisha Puthiyedth participate in RCFRN, a transdisciplinary network involving collaborators from Canada, Sri Lanka, India and Nepal. The network gathers community-centered data on resource management, community dynamics and resilience to inform policies and decision-making.

Canada and the Asia Pacific Policy Project (CAPPP)

TRU's Canada and the Asia-Pacific Policy Project (CAPPP) is an interdisciplinary research collaboration that connects researchers and partners across Canada and the Asia-Pacific region to advance policy research, knowledge mobilization and dialogue on issues including security, development, trade and international relations.

Coercive Laboring Economies

Wilson Bell authored the chapter “Coercive Laboring Economies” in A Cultural History of Slavery and Human Trafficking in the Age of Global Conflict, a Bloomsbury Academic volume examining slavery, forced labour, and exploitation globally from 1900–1945.

All My Relations

TRU's All My Relations Research Centre collaborates with Indigenous communities and regional, national and international researchers to generate and share knowledge on Indigenous community wellness, helping build evidence to support Indigenous well-being and sustainable development initiatives.

HerbDivNet

TRU faculty member Dr. Lauchlan Fraser is a chair of HerbDivNet, a global research network of more than 66 scientists from 19 countries working collaboratively to collect and compare data on herbaceous plant communities.

NASA International Space Apps Challenge

TRU hosted the NASA International Space Apps Challenge, a global hackathon that uses open NASA data to tackle real-world challenges.

Retreating from Risk

Dr. Mahed Choudhury contributes to the international Retreating from Risk research partnership, which gathers evidence from communities in Canada, the United States and Indonesia to improve climate adaptation planning and flood resilience.

Wildfire Management Cooperation with France

TRU and the BC Wildfire Service hosted a French delegation as part of an ongoing Canada-France collaboration on wildfire management focused on data and information sharing, training and innovation to improve wildfire preparedness and resilience.

Impact of a kindergarten multicomponent intervention on grade 1 spelling

Dr. Gloria Ramirez collaborated with researchers in Argentina on a study examining the impact of kindergarten literacy interventions on spelling development among children attending low socioeconomic schools.

Role of multi-level institutions in facilitating innovation and adaptation technologies for reducing climate risk and impact

Dr. Mahed Choudhury was a member of a research team that examined how local institutions in coastal communities in Bangladesh can enable or create barriers to climate adaptation technologies, contributing evidence on governance and community resilience to climate hazards.

Knowledge Makers Journal

TRU's Knowledge Makers Journal is an international Indigenous research network that brings together Indigenous researchers, students and scholars from Canada and around the world to share knowledge, research and best practices related to Indigenous communities, sustainability, food sovereignty and climate resilience.

Interior Universities Research Coalition (IURC)

Formed in 2017 by Thompson Rivers University, University of Northern British Columbia and UBC Okanagan, the IURC strengthens research and innovation across BC’s Interior. The coalition enhances student and faculty mobility, supports regional economic development, and connects researchers with community and industry partners.

Future Earth Journal

TRU's Future Earth Journal provides an open-access platform for student research on sustainability and environmental issues, supporting the exchange of interdisciplinary knowledge and innovative approaches to challenges including climate change, conservation, sustainable development and social sustainability.

Association of Commonwealth Universities

TRU is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, a global network of universities that promotes international collaboration in higher education, research and innovation.

Global Horizons: Celebrating Faculty Impact on Internationalization

TRU's Global Horizons event brought together faculty, students, staff and partners to share approaches to internationalization, including multilingual research, intercultural learning, international field schools and community-engaged scholarship that connect local knowledge with global challenges.

All My Relations cultural exchange program

Five students and five faculty members visited Sámi Allaskuvla (Sami University of Applied Sciences) in Sápmi to learn from Sámi approaches to language revitalization, culturally grounded learning materials and community-based education. The exchange provided opportunities to share strategies and learn from international best practices in Indigenous education, language preservation and community development.

Early Childhood Pedagogy Network

Dr. Kathleen Kummen serves as co-director of the Early Childhood Pedagogy Network, which creates spaces for public conversations about innovative approaches to early childhood education.

Association for Tourism and Leisure Education and Research

Through membership in the Association for Tourism and Leisure Education and Research, TRU faculty foster international collaboration, expand professional networks and bring global knowledge and best practices back to the university.

Critical Tourism Studies

Dr. Kellee Caton serves as chair of the international Critical Tourism Studies network, fostering global collaboration and research on tourism, sustainability and social change while supporting the exchange of knowledge and innovative practices across countries and regions.

Dr. Robert Hanlon’s session at KIU

Dr. Robert Hanlon delivered a session on international research collaboration and global grant development for KIU in Sri Lanka, sharing knowledge and strategic approaches to strengthen research capacity, international partnerships and global engagement.

International School of Radical Relationism

Dr. Monica Sánchez-Flores, co-founder and co-leader of the International School of Radical Relationism, and Dr. Jenna Woodrow collaborate with international scholars to advance social justice and decolonizing approaches to research, teaching and activism through knowledge exchange.

Council on Undergraduate Research

Through membership in the Council on Undergraduate Research, TRU contributes to an international network that promotes undergraduate research, knowledge exchange and collaboration.

Tk’emlups te Secwepemc and All My Relations build global Indigenous connections

The All My Relations Indigenous Research Centre organized an experiential learning exchange for Le7 te Melamen PhD scholars and Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc community members in Aotearoa and Fiji. Through engagement with Indigenous communities, participation in the International Indigenous Research Conference and cultural knowledge sharing, participants explored international approaches to Indigenous education, community development and collective responses to global challenges.

University of Waikato Cultural Exchange

The All My Relations Indigenous Research Centre hosted students from the University of Waikato for a week of cultural exchange focused on deepening connections and sharing knowledge across cultures.

Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILO)

TRU equips baccalaureate students for career success and global challenges through eight institutional learning outcomes, providing broad knowledge alongside their specialized degree. One of these outcomes is social responsibility: a TRU graduate critically evaluates and applies socially responsible, sustainable and ethical behaviors.

Sustainability Education in the Curriculum Subcommittee

The Sustainability Education in the Curriculum Subcommittee supports the integration of sustainability and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into TRU courses and programs through evidence-based curriculum and teaching practices.