Community

Overview

Using the Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability (CIRS) as a shared space, our mission is to bring people, projects and ideas together in innovative ways that accelerate sustainability in British Columbia and beyond.

By joining the CIRS community, you’ll share outstanding facilities and services that support community building, collaborative work, innovation, and professional growth.

Grow your personal and professional network by attending CIRS inhabitants events. Chat research, form new connections, and develop new skills while taking part in a welcoming and diverse work community.

Events

Inclusive community building is important to us — that’s why CIRS community members are provided with sustainability-themed social events, activities, and other opportunities to meet others working in the building.

These informal events create space and time to nurture relationships with other sustainability staff, faculty, and students that support interdisciplinary and interdepartmental collaborations.

Past CIRS community events have included:

  • Seasonal socials (fall, spring, summer)
  • Cultural coffee and snack mornings
  • Film nights and panel discussions
  • Crafting and DIY lessons
  • Yoga classes
  • Musical performances
  • Sustainable fashion week

CIRS Inhabitants

Inhabitants of the CIRS building work together to support the UBC Strategic Plan themes of Inclusion, Collaboration, and Innovation. Discover what makes our community a unique and engaging workplace.

For a complete list of inhabitant groups, see our building inhabitants page.

CIRS Engagement Committee

The CIRS Engagement Committee is made up of volunteer representatives from the different academic and administrative units that inhabit the building.

Specifically, the Sustainability Hub convenes the committee in order to:

  • Maintain and facilitate innovative uses of CIRS
  • Host engagement events, symposiums, lectures, exhibits etc.
  • Promote attendance at CIRS events across campus, and by our communities
  • Participate in CIRS inhabitant-related research projects
  • Attend the CIRS Local Safety Team and Emergency Team (statutory UBC requirement)

Benefits for inhabitant groups represented on the committee include:

  • Support to host formal sustainability-related events / event series, engagement activities, or exhibitions etc. within the CIRS building. 
  • Support to host informal pop-up showcase exhibitions (e.g., poster displays, 3D models), creative brainstorming workshops, and other engagement activities.
  • Common area digital screens, supporting hardware/software
  • x6 theatre-style projectors, professional lighting, audio-visual hardware/software, accessories
  • Theatre-style seating and event tables 
  • Pop-up engagement / exhibition equipment e.g., a booth, portable screen/projector