In 2018, IRSI was awarded $200,000 over 2 years from Strategic Excellence Funds for the project entitled “Indigenous Engagement Training Program.” As part of this program, IRSI hired an Education & Training Officer to assemble a baseline inventory of all the training and education tools within and outside UBC, and to work with Indigenous faculty, staff, and community partners to co-develop research-related training programs for researchers and graduate students entering or wishing to enter collaborative relationships.
As part of meeting the first goal, IRSI’s Education and Training Officer Alison Krahn is conducting an environmental scan to explore what research-related education and training opportunities are being offered at UBC. In November, 2019, Alison hosted a facilitated dialogue with Indigenous faculty and staff to discuss the findings of the environmental scan so far, as well as potential opportunities for collaboration. In consideration of how quickly the landscape of Indigenous engagement at UBC is changing, this scan will be a living document, hosted on IRSI’s website, to be responsive to new courses and educational opportunities as they arise. Discussions will continue to be held in the New Year in order to ensure the baseline inventory is as current and reliable as possible.