Reimagining the Public University in a Time of Polycrisis: A National Dialogue
Event Description
Simon Fraser University’s Community-Engaged Research Initiative (CERi) invites you to participate in a two-day national dialogue exploring the evolving role of the public university in a time of intersecting crises.
Climate disruption. Democratic strain. Widening inequality. Public health challenges. Under-regulated AI. Financial pressures facing post-secondary institutions.
In this moment of polycrisis, what is the responsibility of the public university?
This gathering convenes scholars, community leaders, policymakers, and students to reflect on how higher education can act not only as a site of analysis, but as a civic institution embedded in the communities and futures it helps shape.
The purpose of the symposium is to generate concrete insights, shared principles, and cross-sector strategies that clarify how universities can respond meaningfully to systemic crises and to translate those conversations into a position paper emerging from the dialogue that will articulate key recommendations and pathways for collective action.
Guiding Questions
- How can universities act as pillars of democracy and public well-being during a time of polycrisis?
- What role should they play in advancing climate justice and health equity?
- How can engaged scholarship prepare students with the skills, networks, and strategic capacities needed to navigate a fractured world?
Lunch and light refreshments will be provided each day.
To support depth of conversation and collective momentum, participants are strongly encouraged to attend and fully participate in both days.
This initiative is made possible through the generous support of SSHRC, SFU’s Community-Engaged Research Initiative (CERi), SFU Public Square, and the SFU Office of the President.
Date: April 1st - April 2nd, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (both days)
Location:
Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue
580 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3
SOLD OUT
For more information, please contact cericoms@sfu.ca
Program
Public Event
This 2-day symposium is part of a 3-day series. On March 31st, be sure to check out the public event at SFU Harbour Centre.
Join SFU Public Square, SFU CERi and the SFU President's Office for an important public dialogue exploring one of the most urgent questions facing Canadian higher education today: How can we reimagine the role of the public university to meet this moment?
At a time defined by intersecting social, political, economic, ecological, and institutional crises, Canadian public universities are being called to rethink their purpose, responsibilities, and relationship to society. Together, we will explore how institutions can respond with courage and creativity—renewing their social contract, strengthening democratic and community engagement, and advancing solutions to complex global challenges. Grounded in both realism and possibility, this conversation invites us to imagine the future of the public university not from a place of scarcity, but from a place of hope, collective responsibility, and transformative potential.
The evening will feature co-keynote addresses by Dr. Jessica Riddell, founder of the Hope Circuits Institute and professor at Bishop’s University and Dr. Amy Parent, Nisga’a scholar and Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Governance and Education at SFU.
Following the keynotes, our speakers will join SFU and visiting faculty for a dynamic fireside chat hosted by Dr. Tara Mahoney, Research and Engagement Manager at the SFU Community-Engaged Research Initiative (CERi). The conversation will feature Dr. Nat Hurley, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Memorial University of Newfoundland; Dr. Adel Iskandar, Associate Professor of Global Communication at Simon Fraser University; and Dr. Rackeb Tesfaye, Knowledge Mobilization Lead and Senior Scientist at the Bridge Research Consortium (BRC), bringing together diverse scholarly perspectives from across disciplines. This moderated dialogue will open space for interdisciplinary exchange and community engagement, inviting participants to reflect on how Canadian public universities can be reimagined to respond meaningfully and responsibly to pressing societal and global challenges.
Travel Accomodation & Information
Parking
Public parking is available at many locations near the Centre for Dialogue. Street parking is free after 10 p.m. The closest parking lot is across the courtyard; enter via Seymour Street.
Public Transit
Major public transit lines, the SeaBus, SkyTrain, Canada Line and West Coast Express, terminate at Waterfront Station, located in the historic Canadian Pacific Railway Station on Cordova Street, opposite Simon Fraser University at Harbour Centre. Transit schedules can be found at www.translink.ca. The Centre for Dialogue is also within easy walking distance of most buses coming into the downtown core.
Public Driving from Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
From the airport, proceed north along the Arthur Laing Bridge to Granville Street. Head north on Granville Street into downtown Vancouver. After crossing the Granville Street Bridge, take the Seymour Street exit and continue north on Seymour. Turn right into the Centre for Dialogue, just before reaching Hastings Street.
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