Calling all climate-concerned academics and others!
We invite you to submit an expression of interest (EOI) to be part of an event taking place March 4-5, 2026 at McGill University and the University of Calgary, Building Resilient Futures: Higher Ed’s Broader Purpose, co-sponsored by Universities Canada and the Sustainability in Higher Education Across Canada Network (SHEAC).
The event represents the culmination of Universities Canada’s three-year Climate Initiative and will bring together small groups of researchers, practitioners, and university administrators (~30 at each location) from diverse institutions, organizations, and career stages to consider recommendations and tangible steps forward. Our central objective is to understand the role(s) Canadian higher education institutions must play in leading societal progress towards more resilient and regenerative futures. The main question we ask is:
How can we leverage our collective institutional capacity to drive the change and innovation needed for climate-resilient and regenerative futures?
To address that question, we seek participants to join a working group in one of three thematic areas: 1) Teaching and learning that creates action; 2) Community engagement that builds partnership; and 3) University governance that fosters institutional agility and innovation. Participants are expected to contribute to pre-work (e.g. review workshop materials, introductory team meeting) and a final report with recommendations for future action. In addition, rather than being simply a one-off event, we intend this gathering to be the start of an ongoing community of practice focused on climate action across sectors and domains. Participants will have the opportunity to remain engaged if they choose. For more information about thematic areas, or the event more generally, please visit the site HERE.
Our intention for the event is that it be generative and impact-oriented, and to move from theory to tangible action. Outputs from the event will include, at minimum, the following:
The co-development of a vision and recommendations/priorities related to climate resilience and regenerative futures for Canadian postsecondary education.
A roadmap or outline of actions to be taken or projects to be developed by working groups in line with our three thematic areas for a future collaborative grant proposal.
The creation of a community of practice that meets regularly to support Canadian institutions in continuing to move forward.
Participants will need to fund their own travel, but Universities Canada is able to offer partial support for those without other means. Please visit this site for event details.
Please reply as soon as possible, and no later than Wednesday, January 28th, 2026.
Submitting an EOI
We seek participants from public, academic, and private sectors who can offer diverse perspectives and represent a range of career stages and disciplinary backgrounds. If you are interested in being part of Resilient Futures, please follow this link to fill out a form and submit a EOI. The EOI (max 2 pages) should include responses to the following questions and be submitted where indicated in the form:
1. What inspires you to attend this event?
2. What do you hope to gain from your participation?
3. What perspectives, expertise, or contributions do you hope to bring to the conversation?
We hope that you will submit an EOI to join us in building resilient futures for our communities and institutions, and be part of an ongoing community committed to climate action and resilience!
If you have any additional questions, please contact Sonia Pacin at spacin@univcan.ca.
On behalf of the Building Resilient Futures Planning Committee:
Sonia Pacin, Universities Canada
Teri Balser, University of Calgary
Vivian Forssman, Royal Roads University
Blane Harvey, McGill University
Sarah Heiberg, McGill University