Planning, geography, and environmental studies faculty and students are engaged in a wide diversity of research projects, most notably in the fields of long-term environmental change and sustainable environmental, urban, and economic development.
These research projects have involved a large number of undergraduate and graduate research students, and research skills are a core part of undergraduate training. Our faculty have attracted external funding for research, post-doctoral fellows, and internships.
Please contact department head Cherie Enns, if you have any questions about planning, geography, and environmental studies research facilities or projects.
Teaching students through research
UFV Planning, Geography, and Environmental Studies faculty members utilize community and peer-reviewed research as part of a broader approach to undergraduate education. Volunteer, course-based, and work-study placements in geography facilities and as part of faculty research projects enable students to build the skills and independence they will need for further graduate study and employment.
Many planning, geography, and environmental studies courses also incorporate inquiry-based learning strategies, which involve students in active data collection, problem-solving, and information modelling as a means of answering bigger questions.
Students are also encouraged to attend regional and national conferences in order to hear about research in their field.
Many UFV planning, geography, and environmental studies students have also presented their research findings at conferences, in particular the annual meeting of the Western Division of the Canadian Association of Geographers, hosted every March by a university or college in B.C. or Alberta.
Attending professional conferences also allows students to network with immediate and senior colleagues in their field of study.
Students who are planning to continue to graduate school are encouraged to complete an Honours degree. This option is available for both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science majors, and involves an undergraduate research thesis requirement.