Thompson Rivers University has a new, official Strategic Research Plan (SRP)—a blueprint for research for the next five years.

The SRP, which received approval from the TRU Board of Governors on Feb. 13, is the result of a two-year consultation process spearheaded by Dr. Will Garrett-Petts, AVP Research and Graduate Studies and the University’s Senate Research Committee. The SRP was informed by faculty and student surveys, a community advisory group, a focus group, departmental consultations, and three town hall meetings.

“The Strategic Research Plan is an authentic reflection of the trajectory of the university,” said President and Vice-Chancellor Alan Shaver, adding that its implementation is auspicious, coming during TRU’s tenth anniversary as a full-service university.

The plan identifies the five key areas of collaborative excellence and emerging strength, while encouraging research in all disciplines:

• Education, Health and Diversity
• Community and Cultural Engagement
• Sustainability, Environment and the Physical World
• Aboriginal Understanding
• Technology and Optimization

“TRU is developing national and international leadership in many of our areas of emerging research strength, and our researchers have the capacity to make a real difference in their fields,” said Garrett-Petts. “Our researchers are providing excellent opportunities for their students, and in doing so, are successfully drawing some of the brightest minds to this campus.”

The SRP includes specific objectives, including the development of a research culture on campus, achieved by celebrating the success of faculty, undergraduate and graduate student research, as well as increasing the number of research chairs and support for research conferences, workshops and outreach. The plan emphasizes in particular the importance of strong partnerships, with researchers working together with cultural groups, industries, community agencies, businesses, institutions and government agencies to create innovative solutions to every day challenges.

“We are community-based problem solvers with a tradition of knowledge creation that goes back for more than half of our history. The Strategic Research Plan keeps us focused on this upward trajectory, and fosters the growth of our research and entrepreneurial capacity,” said Shaver.

Media inquiries
Will Garrett-Petts
Associate Vice-President of Research and Graduate Studies
Thompson Rivers University
Email: petts@tru.ca
Tel: 250-828-5410