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SFU News

A collection of the latest SFU News stories, media releases and other content featuring SFU Public Square and the work of our partners!

2024

President’s Faculty Lecture highlights urgency for sustainable housing in B.C. — by Ray Sharma (January 22, 2024)
“The SFU President’s Faculty Lectures continue in 2024, kicking off the year by buckling down on the relationship between cities and climate change, and British Columbia’s musts for creating a healthy future...Hosted by SFU president Joy Johnson and produced by SFU Public Square, the lecture series illuminates the university’s excellence in research, commending the innovative academics and researchers that engage with communities by applying their expertise to make real-world impacts."

2023

President’s Faculty Lectures put spotlight on SFU researchers making a difference for B.C. — by Matt Kieltyka (September 18, 2023)
“The lecture series, co-organized by the President’s Office in partnership with SFU Public Square, shines a light on the research excellence at SFU. Hosted by SFU president Joy Johnson, these free public lectures celebrate cutting-edge research and researchers that engage with communities and mobilize knowledge to make real-world impacts."

Outspoken advocate for those who use drugs awarded SFU’s Sterling Prize for Controversy — by Melissa Shaw (August 22, 2023)
“As B.C.’s toxic drug crisis continues, so does the debate on how to reduce harm and save lives. For Nicole Luongo, a systems change coordinator with the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition (CDPC), that has meant supporting progressive drug policy approaches, despite criticism, while advocating for those stigmatized and marginalized for using drugs. For her ongoing work, Luongo is being recognized with the 2023 Nora and Ted Sterling Prize in Support of Controversy."

2022

Sterling Prize recipient Alexandra Lysova shrugs off controversy by keeping focus on victims — by Matt Kieltyka (August 26, 2022)
“Where some are reluctant to even acknowledge the subject and others are quick to take sides (especially if it’s a story involving celebrities), the Simon Fraser University criminologist only sees statistics and victims in need of support. Lysova is the 2022 recipient of the Nora and Ted Sterling Prize in Support of Controversy for her years of dedicated research in a field that can sometimes be fraught with polarizing and politicized debate."

2021

Community Summit Series keynote sees climate justice advocates sharing how to take action post-COP26 — by Matt Kieltyka (November 22, 2021)

Lessons in leadership with three women university presidents — by Jeff Hodson (October 12, 2021)

Sterling Prize recipient challenges racism and role of museums in era of reconciliation — by Matt Kieltyka (August 26, 2021)

SFU builds on anti-racism work with new partnership — (August 16, 2021)
“As part of the partnership, SFU Public Square will host a new lecture series designed to stimulate discussion about successful, adaptable strategies to ending racism and hate. The Taking Action! lecture series will feature speakers from across Canada and the globe who will share their experiences and lessons B.C. communities can adopt.”

Effective border management plays key role in battle against COVID-19 — (May 31, 2021)
"SFU’s Canada Research Chair in Global Health Governance, Kelley Lee spoke at a President’s Faculty Lecture entitled, Pandemics and borders: How to manage travel restrictions more effectively."

SFU ranks among world's top 50 universities in Times Higher Education Impact Rankings — by Braden McMillan (April 21, 2021)
"Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, pivotal public engagement initiatives, such as SFU Public Square, have adapted to bring the university into conversation with local and global communities through innovative and virtual methods."

SFU public speaker series uses conversations to spark creative social justice action — by Stacey Makortoff (February 22, 2021)

2020

President’s Faculty Lectures returns to explore resilience and recovery — (December 15, 2020)
“With the global COVID-19 pandemic still affecting every part of our lives, the President’s Faculty Lectures returns next year to highlight some of Simon Fraser University’s top minds with engaging and thought-provoking discussions that shed a light on our world today"

Can Eden Robinson’s TV trickster help us progress from truth to reconciliation? — by Geoff Gilliard (December 15, 2020)

Announcing the launch of SFU CAN: COVID-19 Action Now — (April 30, 2020)
“COVID-19 has highlighted issues of inequality. In response, SFU Public Square, the Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue and CityHive are hosting a series of moderated discussions to build a more equitable and empathetic post-COVID-19 world called Distant, Not Disengaged.”

President’s Faculty Lectures returns to explore resilience and recovery — (December 15, 2020)

SFU named #1 in global university ranking for impact on sustainable cities and communities — by Braden McMillan (April 22, 2020)
“As Canada’s engaged university, SFU is an active community partner, helping to facilitate productive conversations about issues of public concern through initiatives such as SFU Public Square.”

People of SFU: Meet Seth Erais, Program Manager for SFU Public Square — by Natalie Lim (April 22, 2020)

Social media during a crisis and how we stay connected — (April 3, 2020)
“Online tools and resources, such as those recently compiled by SFU Public Square, can help with navigating content shared through social media.” 

2019

Top SFU News Stories of the Decade — by Lauren Borean (December 18, 2019)
“SFU launches Public Square” makes the list of top SFU News Stories of the decade!

Renowned author Amitav Ghosh headlines SFU Vancouver Speaker series — (July 4, 2019)

SFU Public Square receives honourable mention for MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship — (July 3, 2019)

SFU President’s Message — (May 13, 2019)

Reconciliation Forum generates thoughtful recommendations — (May 13, 2019)
"“To witness Indigenous Peoples and settlers coming together to work through complex policy issues was truly inspiring,” says Janet Webber, executive director, SFU Public Square, which co-hosted the event with SFU’s School of Public Policy."