Research Connection — Volume 1

It’s all happening at BU!

Research is a broad term that encompasses not only scientific study but also a variety of qualitative approaches and creative activity. The research, scholarship, and creative activities of our faculty members and our students, supported by increased external research funding, continue to provide discoveries, knowledge, cultural understanding and creative artworks, all of which benefit our students and society as a whole. Our aim is to disseminate our research beyond the campus to the broader community. Research Connection is published regularly throughout the academic year and aims to present faculty research in an easy-to-read format. Since its inception in November 2016, it has featured over 50 BU researchers and several graduate students.

To mark this special anniversary, which coincided with Brandon University’s 50th year since its chartering as a university, these first Research Connections were compiled into a collected edition.

Please enjoy It’s All Happening At BU.

As you read, you will discover that research at BU is thriving and explores wide-ranging topics from brain tumours to mapping the galaxy, shelterbelts to Shakespeare and music therapy, to keeping toads safe on the road, and much, much more. The University’s success in leveraging its capacity to form partnerships across the country and internationally demonstrates that a small university can play a significant role in research on the national stage. In 2017-18, BU researchers received more than $3.2 million from external agencies, including CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC, CFI, Canada Research Chairs, Government of Canada and the Province of Manitoba, as well as industry. But it’s not only faculty who are engaged in research. Students here also are deeply immersed in research. Both undergraduate and graduate students also received a number of awards this past year.

The research, scholarship, and creative activities of our faculty members and our students, supported by increased external research funding, continue to provide discoveries, knowledge, cultural understanding and creative art works, all of which benefit our students and society as a whole. BU’s growing research reputation enhances our ability to attract and retain outstanding faculty members and students within the province.

And, continue to stay up to date with the latest discoveries at Brandon University through Research Connection and the BU CARES podcast.