U of L approves three new research centres

The General Faculties Council at the University of Lethbridge has approved the creation of three new collaborative and diverse research centres, which will focus on the creation of oral history, develop community-based collaborations and bring together chemistry and biochemistry researchers from around the world to further their expertise in fluorine technologies.

Growth of research centres and institutes in strategic areas, and the continued development of existing centres and institutes, is a key feature of the Strategic Research Plan of the University of Lethbridge.

"The new centres bring the number of specifically-established groups to 13, all which involve a significant number of cross-faculty or cross-departmental collaborations,” said David Hill, the U of L’s Director of Centres and Research Institutes.

“These three new groups have exciting plans for growth in their respective research areas that involve students at all levels, develop enhanced relationships with colleagues on campus and internationally, and also showcase the U of L as an interesting and innovative place to work and learn.”

Brief outlines of the Centres and their mandates: 

The Centre for Oral History and Tradition (COHT

The Centre for Oral History and Tradition (COHT) will see researchers collaborate on oral history projects, offer resources and training to students and researchers interested in making oral history part of their research process, and work with partners, such as the University of Lethbridge Archives, to ensure oral history projects are properly executed, documented and available for future reference.

The Centre for Culture and Community (CCC) 

The Centre for Culture and Community (CCC) will serve as a resource for University of Lethbridge faculty and community partners engaged in cultural and community-based studies and creative activity.

The CCC's mission is to facilitate mutually beneficial university-community collaboration and resource-sharing with respect to social-science and humanities research, creative activity and outreach focused primarily, though not exclusively, on Lethbridge and Southern Alberta.

The Canadian Centre for Research in Advanced Fluorine Technologies (C-CRAFT)

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Lethbridge has brought together a local, national and international team of researchers to found the Canadian Centre for Research in Advanced Fluorine Technologies, Canada’s first collaborative group with concentration of unique expertise in fluorine chemistry.

The establishment of the Canadian Centre for Advanced Fluorine Technologies (C-CRAFT) will allow the University to become a focal point for tackling challenges in materials, energy and the environment for which fluorine provides solutions, such as the oil and gas industry, manufacturing and steel and aluminum refining, to name a few.