Interdisciplinary collaborations help advance UBC’s sustainability, climate, and wellbeing commitments and SEEDS Big 5 Research Priorities. UBC students, faculty, and operational practitioners, and community partners collaborate in providing expertise and guidance to advance UBC’s sustainability and wellbeing commitments from urban biodiversity, climate to food security through impactful research and collaborations. Each interdisciplinary collaboration has a Steering Committee, supporting Action Teams and research clusters that utilize the Campus as a Living Laboratory.

Campus Biodiversity Initiative: Research and Demonstration (CBIRD) 

The Campus Biodiversity Initiative: Research and Demonstration (CBIRD) is an interdisciplinary hub for connecting academics, students, practitioners, and  community in applied research and collaborations  to advance scalable urban biodiversity ideas, policies and actions on the UBC- Vancouver campus. 

Learn more about CBIRD

Action Teams: 

  1. Ecosystem Services Action Team 

  2. The Ecosystem Services Action Team (ESAT) is a group of engaged experts of CBIRD Steering Committee members and beyond who collaborate to scope student research and collaborations that can inform integration of biodiversity and ecosystem service practices and principles with emerging policy and planning processes, as well as developing a campus natural asset baseline. 

Climate Crisis in Urban Biodiversity (CCUB) 

The Climate Crisis in Urban Biodiversity (CCUB) initiative fosters community-based and applied research collaborations with students, faculty, staff and community partners to inform related policies and practices that accelerate action towards ecological and human health and wellbeing in the climate emergency. 

Learn more about CCUB

Action Teams: 

  1. UBC Bird-Friendly Action Team - CCUB’s Bird-Friendly Action (BFAT) is a group of engaged experts and stakeholders from UBC and beyond who collaborate to advance bird conservation through interdisciplinary partnerships and applied student research that can inform nature-inclusive urban planning and design  on campus. 

UBC Food System Project (UBCFSP) 

The UBC Food System Project (UBCFSP) is a multi-stakeholder and interdisciplinary initiative for connecting the campus food system. UBCSFP advances a just and sustainable campus food system with applied research and collaboration. Staff, faculty and students inspire collaborative action in all that we do to catalyze global change. 

Learn more about UBCFSP

Action Teams: 

  1. Climate-Friendly Food Systems Action Team - The Climate-Friendly Food Systems Action Team (CFFS-AT) is a group of engaged experts from the UBCFSP Steering Committee and other partners who collaborate to inform applied student research and collaborations between staff, faculty and students that can accelerate transitions towards a climate-friendly food system and advance UBC’s Climate Action Plan 2030 Food Actions  

  2. Circular Economy Research Action Team - The Circular Economy Research Action Team (CE-RAT) is a group of engaged experts from the UBCFSP Steering Committee and beyond who collaborate to inform applied student research and collaborations between staff, faculty and students that can promote a circular economy and advance UBC’s Circular Economy Action Plan 2030. 

  3. Food Security Initiative (FSI) - is a cross disciplinary initiative operating in both Vancouver and Okanagan campuses, that strives toward a holistic, university-wide, and systems-based approach to harnessing scalable solutions in alleviating household food insecurity and promoting community food security.