The Sustainability Scholars Program is an innovative paid internship program. We match UBC graduate students with on- and off-campus sustainability partners to work on applied research projects that advance sustainability across the region. Managed by the UBC Sustainability Hub.
Apply your research skills to real-world sustainability challenges
Get paid and gain valuable professional work experience
Develop applied skills and knowledge under the guidance of a mentor
Build your professional network and enhance your career prospects

How It Works

The program is open to full-time UBC graduate students from any program or discipline. As a Sustainability Scholar, you work under the guidance of a mentor on an applied research project that supports their organization's sustainability goals.

Apply

UBC Sustainability Scholars work on applied research projects across a wide range of environmental, economic and social sustainability topics. See our list of current paid internship opportunities.

Project Library

The Scholars Project Library contains hundreds of reports, charts, tool-kits, and more, documenting the applied research produced by Scholars since 2010. A useful body of knowledge to support further research around sustainability.

Fraser Estuary Research Collaborative (FERC)

A new stream in the Sustainability Scholars Program focusing on applied research with the goal of restoring and protecting the endangered Fraser Estuary.

Partner with us

Partner organizations are essential to the UBC Sustainability Scholars Program. Partners provide work experience for UBC graduate students and benefit from their applied research.

Meet the scholars

UBC Sustainability Scholars come from all kinds of backgrounds and academic disciplines. Scholars stand out for being passionate about sustainability, having a strong work ethic, and for their applied research skills.

Fund scholars

Climate change, biodiversity loss, and growing inequality are some of the most urgent issues facing our world today. Support from donors will allow scholars to make a direct impact through organizations doing the on-the-ground work needed to address climate change and other critical sustainability challenges.

Program History

Sustainability Scholars’ projects have been helping to move the dial on sustainability across the region for over 10 years. Find out more about our history, milestones, and impact.

Project Library

Green Rainwater Infrastructure (GRI) offers a holistic approach to urban stormwater management that aligns with environmental, social, and economic goals. This project aims to envision a toolkit of GRI typologies suitable for rapid transit station locations, creating a more resilient transit infrastructure that promotes climate change mitigation, rainwater and localized flooding treatment to increase the overall public experience and well-being.  

Partner: City of Vancouver
Funder: City of Vancouver & UBC
Keywords: green infrastructure, healthy city, climate resilience, transportation, water 

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2023
Yumeng Liu

This project aims to understand regional park visitors' transportation choices and barriers, in order to motivate a shift toward sustainable mode choices. The report offers diverse recommendations to Metro Vancouver in design, service, and programming initiatives, including last-mile connections, bike facilities, intermodal transfers, and narratives in promotion. The study's findings will inform policies for sustainable, eco-friendly transportation, enhancing nature access and quality of life.

Partner: Metro Vancouver
Funder: Metro Vancouver
Keywords: social sustainability, transportation 

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2023
Yiyang Wang

This study aims to develop a GIS-based urban building stock model for city-scale sustainability assessments in Richmond. It involves refining a database, mapping building energy consumption, and GHG emissions using georeferenced data and archetypes. The pilot phase will assess the feasibility of various energy-efficient measures, including regional energy generation through PV panels, extending the District Energy Utility, and prioritizing rezoning applications for GHG emission reduction.

Partner: City of Richmond
Funder: BC Hydro
Keywords: green buildings, sustainable development & green economy, urban sustainability 

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2023
Yang Li

This report explores the approach to curation of a radio program exploring the Fraser River Estuary. The final program features approximatly 19 hours of audio material, which includes content on biodiversity research, art projects, Indigenous water sovereignty, and economic mega projects. The program is integrated into Other Sights' Currents and Waves radio programming in 2023 and 2024. Short descriptions of the program episodes were created for online promotion and social media.

Partner: Other Sights for Artists' Projects Association
Funder: UBC (Sitka Foundation)
Keywords: biodiversity, sustainability in education, water 

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2023
Viola Provost

This project identifies key observations in existing green network spatial data and proposes a habitat classification system to develop efficient and equitable spatial prioritization strategies to enhance the City of Vancouver's ecological health and biodiversity. It maps habitats ranging from large natural forests in parks to small green infrastructure assets in street rights of way and provides recommendations for green interventions that create habitat diversity and connectivity of the green network.

Partner: City of Vancouver
Funder: City of Vancouver & UBC
Keywords: biodiversity, ecological systems, green network 

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2023
Vanessa Amorocho

This project visualizes what a positive climate future could look like for the City of Vancouver through the lens of extreme heat adaptation and water management. The report highlights how climate communication best practices can be applied in a graphic format to increase engagement with City of Vancouver climate change policies and actions. By communicating about climate action, these graphics aim to create a safer, healthier, and more equitable city. 

Partner: City of Vancouver
Funder: City of Vancouver & UBC
Keywords: biodiversity, green buildings, water  

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2023
Taylor Legere

This report seeks to address risks associated with unconventional construction materials often used to meet higher Energy Step Code. Focusing on above-ground wall assemblies, the study provides a comprehensive step-by-step guide to help builders assess the compliance of construction products with the BC Building Code (BCBC). Builders using alternative materials should budget time and resources appropriately.  

Partner: Township of Langley
Funder: BC Hydro
Keywords: green buildings  

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2023
Shiva Zargar

To complement the city of New Westminster' efforts to tackle climate change, this project was set in motion to conduct a detailed literature review on the financial and policy tools that local governments have at their disposal. The report analyses tools used by governments worldwide to inform sustainable capital investments. Based on their feasibility, these tools were then were applied to a case study.

Partner: City of New Westminster
Funder: BC Hydro
Keywords: social sustainability, supply chain management & green procurement, sustainable finance, policy action, economics 

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2023
Sarthak Kwatra

This project aims to build knowledge and understanding of how families are making trips to and from childcare for the purpose of supporting families in shifting to active modes. Best practices include increasing the convenience of using active modes, embedding child-friendly design in the City of Vancouver, introducing active travel at a young age, and mobilizing women through programs and infrastructure. The report concludes with seven recommendations to increase family active travel in Vancouver.

Partner: City of Vancouver
Funder: City of Vancouver & UBC
Keywords: active transportation, equity, diversity, inclusion, healthy city, transportation 

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2023
Molly Barkowsky

This report contains a summary of recent policies and projects related to Indigenous-led forest carbon offsets and cultural burning. Existing projects might provide useful guidance and support the implementation of cultural burning and carbon offset projects by Xeni Gwet'in First Nation.

Partner: Xeni Gwet'in First Nation Government
Funder: UBC
Keywords: ecological systems, Indigenous sovereignty 

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2023
Mike Stefanuk

This project aimed to create a database to compile existing partnerships between First Nations in British Columbia and UBC in relation to climate change. The executive summary includes the main findings of the study and a series of recommendations to strengthen the collaboration between First Nations and UBC in addressing the climate emergency and climate change.

Partner: Indigenous Research Support Initiative (IRSI)
Funder: UBC
Keywords: green buildings, social sustainability, sustainability in education 

Extended report, based on the database prepared for this Sustainability Scholars Project. Co-authored by IRSI staff, Jessica Groat (graduate practicum student), and Michael Monclou: Recommendations for bolstering respectful collaboration between Indigenous partners and UBC to address the climate emergency and climate change

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2023
Michael Monclou

This project focuses on collaborating with municipalities (and other stakeholders) across Southern BC to assess crucial areas that could be designated as 'Protected Areas." Southern BC is home to high numbers of species at risk and sensitive ecosystems under threat. This is a great opportunity for municipalities to work towards conserving these natural areas and contribute to the global and national conservation goal of 30 by 30. The process and results of the assessments are documented.

Partner: BC Naturalists' Foundation
Funder: BC Naturalists'  Foundation
Keywords: biodiversity, ecological systems, protected area network 

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2023
Maithili Devadas

This study explores how BC's climate policy, particularly the Carbon Neutral Government mandate for public-sector organizations, has influenced climate action at BC universities. A literature review and interviews with employees from the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions partner universities, the City of Vancouver, and the Climate Action Secretariat suggest the mandate no longer drives emissions reductions. This study proposes recommendations for the province to accelerate climate action.

Partner: PICS
Funder: UBC
Keywords: leadership & behaviour change, sustainable development & green economy  

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2023
Grace Schaan

Beginning with how Western philosophies of land management and agriculture as a tool of colonization have led to our current colonial food systems, Indigenous food sovereignty is suggested as a framework to support the transformation of Vancouver's food system towards a just model for all. New urban agriculture policy should be co-created with local Indigenous partners and include Indigenous values while centring justice at each step.

Partner: City of Vancouver
Funder: City of Vancouver & UBC
Keywords: biodiversity, food systems, social sustainability  

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2023
Grace McCloskey

The Bert Brink Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is one of few remaining undiked floodplain habitats on the Lower Fraser River. Using visualizations this project aims to communicate the importance of floodplain habitat; support Rivershed Society's goal of connecting a movement to protect 30% and to restore 2.4% of the Fraser watershed; communicate the restoration plans for the Bert Brink WMA; and foster a community of support for the restoration of the Bert Brink WMA.  

Partner: Rivershed Society of BC
Funder: UBC (Sitka Foundation)
Keywords: biodiversity, ecological systems, invasive species

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2023
Frances Ramsay

This project examines the possibilities for visualizations of flood mitigation interventions in proactive flood management for mainland Coast Salish communities along the Lower Fraser River. Through direct collaboration and site visits, visualizations were created for each community that reflect their unique flood-related risk situations and address the specific functional requirements for the visualizations of each location. Possible co-benefits of interventions were explored where applicable.

Partner: Emergency Planning Secretariat
Funder: UBC (Sitka Foundation)
Keywords: ecological systems, flood mitigation, traditional ecological knowledge 

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2023
Connor Budd

This project aims to identify some of the gaps facing First Nations in accessing equitable, reliable, safe, affordable, and low-carbon transportation in BC, with a particular focus on remote communities. It offers recommendations and opportunities for government to close these gaps in relation to low-carbon transportation programs and initiatives. This research contributes to BC Assembly of First Nation's (BCAFN) three-year First Nations Low-Carbon Transportation Project.

Partner: BC Assembly of First Nations
Funder: UBC
Keywords: transportation, Indigenous reconciliation, climate justice 

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2023
Charlotte Bull

While the operational transit benefits of bus bulbs are well understood, there remains a limited understanding of how passengers interact with the additional space and bus stop amenities provided to them. To bridge this knowledge gap, this research involved in-person passenger observations and surveys at four bus bulb locations across. The findings and recommendations will help the City of Vancouver target specific bus bulbs to focus design improvements and create permanent sidewalk extensions.  

Partner: City of Vancouver
Funder: City of Vancouver & UBC
Keywords: climate mitigation, green infrastructure, healthy city, transportation, bus transit

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2023
Caroline Dunaux

This project aims to equip building owners in Burnaby with an accessible retrofit toolkit, primarily focused on strategies to mitigate the effects of extreme heat events. The toolkit has been developed through a combination of research into current best practices and interviews with various professionals. This toolkit provides building owners with a range of retrofitting activities, with a focus on quick wins, to mitigate overheating and improve the performance and resilience of their buildings.

Partner: City of Burnaby
Funder: City of Burnaby
Keywords: green buildings, sustainable development & green economy, climate action

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2023
Oluwasina Agunbiade

This project aims to develop and prototype a framework to evaluate justice and equity in climate policies at the City of Vancouver, including an exploration of participatory and collaborative methodologies. The prototype framework--developed via design thinking and an iterative approach--was delivered for internal use only. This executive summary includes key takeaways and recommendations to the City regarding best practices for equity evaluation in local government.

Partner: City of Vancouver
Funder: City of Vancouver
Keywords: climate action, diversity, inclusion, healthy city, justice & equity, evaluation, climate justice

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2023
Alida Oegema Thomas

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