BU makes research available to wider audience though experts list

A new tool has been launched to help Brandon University (BU) researchers share their expertise with media, industry, government and colleagues.

The Office of Research Services has partnered with Information Technology Services at BU to develop a searchable online list of experts, highlighting their areas of interest as well as their availability for taking inquiries from the media and public or for research collaborations. The list can be found at BrandonU.ca/Research/Experts.

“Our faculty have gained great knowledge through their research, education and experience, and their insight is in high demand,” said Dr. Heather Duncan, BU’s Associate Vice-President (Research). “Media, from local to international, turn to our people for their expertise, and our researchers collaborate with peers around the globe on cutting-edge and meaningful projects.”

The development of an experts list was an action item in BU’s Strategic Research Plan 2021—2025. This goal was reiterated in Mamaawii-atooshke aakihkiwiin, BU’s Strategic Plan, launched in 2022, as a strategy to contribute to the University’s goal of facilitating community success.

“I applaud the efforts of our staff and faculty, who have done an outstanding job of compiling information and resources into a user-friendly tool that will meet the needs of a wide range of community members,” Dr. Duncan said. “We are only scratching the surface of the tremendous volume of expertise that we have on hand. The experts list will continue to grow as more and more researchers join.”

The experts list includes participation of representatives from Brandon’s faculties of Arts, Education, Health Studies and Science, as well as the School of Music. Areas of expertise, touch on everything from agriculture to religion, healthcare, gender and business.

Dr. Christopher Malcolm, who is an Associate Professor in BU’s Department and Geography and Environment as well as Co-ordinator of the Environmental Science Program, sees value in tools that pave the way for collaboration between researchers.

“My research looks at effective stewardship of wildlife, which can only be achieved through interdisciplinary approaches melding social and natural sciences,” Dr. Malcolm said. “A collection of BU researchers and their interests can help us connect with each other and our community.”

The experts list is one of several recent initiatives to bring BU research to the community. The University recently celebrated the opening of the Knowledge Mobilization Suite, a new audio-video recording studio that will be used to produce podcasts and video productions highlighting faculty and student success. Additionally, a new collection of Research Connection has been published, highlighting student research at BU.

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