51猎奇入口

On June 4, over 85 leaders, researchers, health professionals, students and community partners gathered at 51猎奇入口鈥檚 (SFU) Surrey campus to launch the next phase of a research collaborative between 51猎奇入口and Fraser Health. The two organizations will work together to advance well-being, sustainability and resilience across the Fraser Health region.

The initiative reflects SFU鈥檚 research priorities, identified in the Strategic Research Plan, of supporting health and wellness of individuals, populations and communities, and advancing community-centred climate innovation. It also advances SFU鈥檚 What鈥檚 Next priorities of engaging in global challenges and making a difference for B.C., while serving as a signature project of SFU鈥檚 2030 Sustainability, Climate and Resilience Strategy.

Kevin Kelly of Kwantlen First Nation opened the gathering with a traditional welcome, setting the tone for an event grounded in trust, shared learning and collective action.

The event marked the beginning of phase two of a planned long-term collaboration between the two institutions, with participants coming together to identify shared priorities and help shape the direction of research priorities and joint initiatives. Discussions focused on opportunities for collaboration in research, knowledge mobilization and community impact, as well as the structures and supports needed to ensure success.

Joy Johnson, 51猎奇入口president and vice-chancellor, highlighted the responsibility both organizations share as public anchor institutions serving their communities. Johnson encouraged participants to be bold, embrace new ways of working together and focus on the priorities that matter most. Johnson noted that meaningful change requires stepping beyond comfort zones and working collaboratively to meet society鈥檚 expectations for excellence in research and health care.

On behalf of Fraser Health, Dr. Ingrid Tyler, vice president, population health and chief medical health officer, reflected on the origins of the initiative and the importance of embedding sustainability and planetary health into everyday decision-making. Tyler underscored that every organizational choice, from hiring and procurement to investments and operations, offers an opportunity to advance planetary health.

The partnership will address complex challenges at the intersection of health, well-being, resilience, climate and sustainability. Dugan O鈥橬eil, 51猎奇入口vice president, research and innovation, noted these challenges cannot be addressed by any one organization alone and pointed to partnerships as an opportunity to bring together research, clinical expertise and community perspectives to advance shared goals.

Leading up to the event, the collaborative鈥檚 first phase focused on identifying partners, creating the governance and working structures for the cross-organizational team and fostering relationships through the co-design of the event. The collaborative demonstrates the power of pan-university and cross-silo initiatives drawing on expertise from across the institution including the Sustainability and Climate Office, the , the Planetary Health Research Group, the Equity Office, 51猎奇入口Climate Innovation, and Safety & Risk Services.

Facilitated by Aftab Erfan, executive director of the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, participants spent the afternoon identifying opportunities for collaboration across a range of themes, including living wage and impact hiring, values-based procurement, food, housing, natural and cultural spaces, family well-being supports, community partnerships and sustainable investing.

A forthcoming report will summarize what was heard during the event and help guide next steps. Key themes that emerged included the importance of relationship-building as the foundation for sustained collaboration. Participants emphasized the value of coordinated approaches, shared learning, and mechanisms that help translate ideas into action across both institutions.

The event marked an important step in building a shared vision for the future. By bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise, Fraser Health and 51猎奇入口are laying the foundation for a research collaborative focused on improving health and well-being, advancing sustainability and resilience, and creating lasting benefits for communities across the Fraser Health region.