SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

Elected Representation

Thompson Rivers University operates under a tricameral governance model with three key bodies: the Board of Governors, the Senate, and the Planning Council for Open Learning. Both the board and senate feature elected members from students, faculty, and administrative staff.

TRUSU

The Thompson Rivers University Students' Union (TRUSU) advocates for students, provides services, organizes events, and administers grants that enhance student life on campus and beyond.

Researcher-in-Residence: housing gaps

Through TRU’s Researcher-in-Residence program, MBA student Tana Dagneau-Jones partnered with the City of Kamloops to study barriers to missing middle housing, providing evidence-based insights to inform local housing policy.

City of Kamloops engagement groups

TRU contributes to municipal planning and sustainability through active participation in City of Kamloops engagement groups. James Gordon, manager of sustainability programs, serves on the Active Transportation Engagement Group; Karolyn Hendra, associate teaching professor, contributes to the Early Learning and Child Care Engagement Group; and Steve Pottle, director of risk and safety services, represents TRU on the Business Sector Engagement Group of Safe and Secure Kamloops.

Kamloops Air Quality Roundtable

The TRU Sustainability Office is a member of the Kamloops Air Quality Roundtable, an initiative led by the Fraser Basin Council that promotes education and public awareness around air quality and climate change.

Grasslands Conversation Council (GCC) of British Columbia

TRU faculty members Dr. Tom Dickinson and Dr. Wendy Gardner provide expert leadership to the GCC, which collaborates with all levels of government to share evidence-based practices for sustainable land management across British Columbia.

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC)

TRU professor, Dr. Karl W. Larsen serves on the Amphibians and Reptiles subcommittee of COSEWIC, a national advisory panel to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Indigenous land use and tourism policy research

Dr. Courtney Mason, professor and Canada research chair in Rural Livelihoods and Sustainable Communities at TRU, leads research on the viability of tourism and protected areas as strategies for Indigenous land development. His findings inform policy on rural and Indigenous land use development, management and governance.

Wildfire science presentation to House of Commons

Dr. Mike Flannigan, BC Innovation research chair in predictive services, emergency management and fire science at TRU, was invited to speak at the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development. He shared expert insights on the Jasper National Park fires and emphasized the need for multi-pronged fire management strategies.

Canada Wildfire

TRU’s Shannon Wagner, Dr. Mike Flannigan, Dinyar Minocher and Jill Harvey play key roles in Canada Wildfire, a partnership driving innovation in fire management policy and practice.

BC Ministry of Forests Research Program Meetings

TRU hosted the biennial BC Ministry of Forests Research Program meeting. A joint forest research poster session and social connected Ministry researchers with TRU students, post-doctoral fellows and professors, sparking new collaborations for research.

Canada and the Asia Pacific Policy Project (CAPPP)

Based at TRU, CAPPP fosters collaboration among scholars, policymakers and civil society to advance understanding of Canada–Asia relations. Through workshops, publications and outreach events for educators and communities, CAPPP builds capacity in international policy, political agency and strategic governance.

Disaster resilience and community science

Dr. Bala Nikku leads a TRU initiative that co-develops tools with disaster-affected communities in B.C. and South Asia. Partnering with The Happyness Center Foundation and Qwelmínte Secwépemc, the project uses community science to empower local voices in policy advocacy and recovery planning.

In the Shadow of the Hills: Socioeconomic Struggles in Kamloops

This open education resource, authored by TRU professor Peter Tsigaris and students, critically examines Kamloops’ socioeconomic challenges. Each chapter explores a community-relevant issue, such as housing, healthcare and transit. The book offers insights that foster public dialogue and expand access to local research.

The Value of Lakes Around the Secwépemc Territory

This open education resource by TRU professor Peter Tsigaris and graduate students applies a recognized valuation method to assess lakes in the Kamloops region. By integrating Indigenous perspectives and ecosystem service values, the book provides policymakers with a clear framework for evaluating natural assets, supporting equitable resource planning and informing negotiations aligned with UNDRIP Article 28.

Grasslands Conservation Council (GCC) of British Columbia

TRU faculty members Dr. Tom Dickinson and Dr. Wendy Gardner provide expert leadership to the GCC, which collaborates with all levels of government to share evidence-based practices for sustainable land management across British Columbia.

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC)

TRU professor Dr. Karl W. Larsen serves on the Amphibians and Reptiles subcommittee of COSEWIC, a national advisory panel to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Indigenous Land Use and Tourism Policy Research

Dr. Courtney Mason, professor and Canada Research Chair in Rural Livelihoods and Sustainable Communities at TRU, leads research on the viability of tourism and protected areas as strategies for Indigenous land development. His findings inform policy on rural and Indigenous land use development, management and governance.

Canada Wildfire

TRU’s Shannon Wagner, Dr. Mike Flannigan, Dinyar Minocher and Jill Harvey play key roles in Canada Wildfire, a national partnership driving innovation in fire management policy and practice.

Wildfire Management Partnership

TRU researchers, led by Dr. Mike Flannigan, are partnering with the City of Kamloops and BC Wildfire Service to develop an early warning system and enhanced training tools for wildfire response.

Reducing Forced Labour in Canadian Supply Chains — Challenges with Implementing Bill S-211

TRU’s Dr. Nancy Southin and Dr. Stuart Milligan are investigating how Canadian businesses are responding to Bill S-211, which mandates reporting on forced and child labour in supply chains.

‘Arctification’ in Tourism: Perspectives from Canada

Dr. Patrick Brouder leads a project exploring Arctic identity in Canadian tourism, engaging northern communities and students to make policy recommendations for more sustainable development of tourism in northern Canada.

Kamloops Cultural Strategic Plan

As part of the Kamloops Cultural Strategic Plan, TRU researchers led community-based cultural mapping to document intangible cultural assets through story maps and interviews. This 10-year cultural vision for Kamloops, shaped through research and collaboration with TRU, received the 2025 Creative City Impact Award in Cultural Planning at the Creative City Network of Canada Summit.

Bribery and Corruption Policies

TRU upholds a strong commitment to openness and transparency, guided by institution-wide policies and procedures that help prevent and address unethical conduct.

• Fraud Risk Management
• Public Interest Disclosure
• Whistleblower
• Conflict of Interest

Academic Freedom

At TRU, academic freedom is protected and practised every day, guided by academia's principles and ethics, which are given concrete form in agreements between TRU and its faculty.

Financial Transparency

TRU publishes annual financial data to uphold governance standards and fiscal responsibility, ensuring accountability to the community and stakeholders.

Responsible Use of University Space

TRU’s Responsible Use of University Space policy ensures that campus spaces are managed to support core operations while allowing respectful, inclusive access for secondary uses.

Institutional neutrality

During a conversation with students, TRU affirmed its practice of neutrality on global political issues. Recognizing the diversity of viewpoints within its community, the university focuses on fostering respectful dialogue and providing support for those affected by global events.

Kamloops candidates’ debate

TRU hosted an all-candidates forum on environmental issues, providing a neutral venue for candidates and the public to engage in open, respectful debate.

Little Lectures, Big Ideas

TRU’s Faculty of Arts and Alumni Office hosted its TED-style lecture series on human rights and social justice, featuring faculty research and inviting public engagement.

MAiD in Canada: Clinical, ethical and legal issues

TRU Faculty of Law hosted a research series event exploring evolving eligibility criteria for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), including mental health contexts.

Responsible Use of University Space

TRU’s Responsible Use of University Space policy ensures that campus spaces are managed to support core operations while allowing respectful, inclusive access for secondary uses.

Academic Freedom

At TRU, academic freedom is protected and practised every day, guided by academia's principles and ethics, which are given concrete form in agreements between TRU and its faculty.

Institutional Neutrality

During a conversation with students, TRU affirmed its practice of neutrality on global political issues. Recognizing the diversity of viewpoints within its community, the university focuses on fostering respectful dialogue and providing support for those affected by global events.

Kamloops Candidates Debate

TRU hosted an all-candidates forum on environmental issues, providing a neutral venue for candidates and the public to engage in open, respectful debate.

Little Lectures, Big Ideas

TRU’s Faculty of Arts and Alumni Office hosted its third annual TED-style lecture series on human rights and social justice. Open to the public, the event featured faculty sharing diverse research and fostering an engaging platform for dialogue and connection with the wider community.

MAiD in Canada: Challenging Clinical, Ethical and Legal Issues

TRU’s Faculty of Law hosted a research series event featuring professors Ruby Dhand, Kelly Melnyk and Lilian Thorpe. The presentation explored evolving eligibility criteria for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), including considerations within mental health contexts.