With a goal to IMPACT LOCALLY and INFLUENCE NATIONALLY, the activities of the British Columbia/Yukon Chair will advance local engagement, transformative learning, and research excellence around the three core themes of INCLUSION, COLLABORATION, and INNOVATION.
INCLUSION
Built on principles of diversity, representation, and culturally grounded practices, WWEST’s research and engagement model advances inclusive excellence in STEM.
At UBCO, WWEST leads the UBCO STEM Collective, a cross-faculty collaboration that has engaged hundreds of student volunteers and elevated faculty and staff STEM activity leaders through campus events and activities. In addition, WWEST’s interdisciplinary initiatives and hands-on learning events have reached thousands of community members.
Extending from the iSTAND framework, youth-centred initiatives have, since 2022 engaged over 40,000 K–12 students through in-classroom programming shaped by Indigenous Ways of Knowing and culturally responsive pedagogy, when appropriate.
Over 50 post-secondary, including female, LGBTQ2S+, and Indigenous,students, have gained meaningful experiential learning in science communication and inclusive instructional design. A mentorship framework co-developed with UBCO Indigenous Programs and Services supports Indigenous students to lead programming for Indigenous youth through in-community events, fostering visibility, and representative role-modelling across STEM pathways.
COLLABORATION
WWEST’s partnerships are rooted in shared governance and sustained engagement with community-led organizations. Collaborating with over 1,700 Indigenous, rural, immigrant, and neurodiverse participants, WWEST has been invited into communities across BC, the Yukon, and most recently the Northwest Territories, demonstrating trust established through evidence-based practice, respect, and reciprocity.
School district partnerships have expanded the WWEST BC curriculum-aligned teacher mentorship program to over 60 educators, extending beyond the two local Okanagan school districts to 19 communities including 14 First Nations Schools across 26 School Districts in BC and the Yukon.
Through partner-led initiatives on and off campus, WWEST has elevated the role of male allies and advanced inclusive workplace practices, strengthening networks that foster inclusive cultures and support retention across STEM education and employment pathways.
INNOVATION
WWEST has built on a strong foundation of research examining positive factors and forces that retain women and other underrepresented persons in STEM, mobilizing evidence to drive shifts in institutional practices and broader cultural structures.
WWEST has: produced 8 peer-reviewed publications; delivered presentations at 47 local, national and international conferences and events; led workshops on Male Allyship, Academic Advancement, and Gender Diversity; and sponsored an Associate Chair (University of Victoria) and Associate Hub (Prince George) to enhance reach and impact of Learning on the Land programs and research.
In 2025, WWEST led a large-scale project for the CWSE network that included a pan-Canadian survey, focus groups and workshops, resulting in the publication of a critical analysis of colonial and racialized language in public and academic venues, centering on the term “Whitepaper” that has catalyzed national dialogues and contributed to policy reconsideration across multiple sectors.
WWEST PROGRAM LINKS
WWEST has a diverse compliment of programming for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Please use the tabs located on the main search bar of the website, to navigate to the appropriate place, to find more details. Some commonly searched programs include:
- STEM Curriculum Support, which can be found through the “K-12 EDUCATORS” tab.
- Academic Advancement, Male Allyship, or Mentorship workshops, and Experiential Learning opportunities for post-secondary and/or early career, are found within the “ACADEMICS” tab.
- STEM-based youth camps, Intergenerational events, Community and UBCO events are posted in the “CAMPS & EVENTS” section of the website.