Your official host of the 47th Annual Pacific Circle Consortium Conference is The University of Canterbury Community Engagement Research Lab.

Following the devastating 2011 earthquake in Christchurch that destroyed more than 80% of the downtown, killed 185 people, and led to 11,000 homes being uninhabitable, over 10,000 students from the local University of Canterbury banded together as the Student Volunteer Army (SVA) and provided actual and psychological aid to affected residents across the city. Utilizing his background in experiential education and service-learning, Associate Professor Osteen quickly created a course, CHCH101: Rebuilding Christchurch, for the SVA to take so that they would have opportunities to reflect on their service and gain academic credit. 

Several years on from the earthquake, CHCH101 gained in popularity among students who hadn’t been part of the SVA and international study abroad students. So, new service was brought into the course where each student now does 30 hours of work out in the community with governmental agencies and non-profits. The transition of the course from immediate disaster response to “business as usual” led to the creation of community engagement as one of four cross-campus graduate attributes (the others being: bicultural competence and confidence, global awareness, and innovation and entrepreneurship).

Each attribute is hosted by different units within UC, which led to the creation of the UC Community Engagement Research Lab and the installation of Associate Professor Osteen as the inaugural Director. The Lab serves as a front door or threshold between the University and communities and has hosted numerous events, visiting groups, and research projects. It served as a critical contributor in the creation of the Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership, which is a new degree based on CHCH101.

 Copyright 2023 Pacific Circle Consortium