Students

The Centre stands at the intersection of societal transformation and academic insight. We champion the growth and potential of today’s emerging changemakers. Guided by community leaders and collaborative organizations, students not only grasp the depth of local and global challenges but actively contribute to addressing them.

Programs

Social Impact Lab

A learning platform for students to expand their knowledge beyond the classroom and build community. Students work with each other, local community partners, and faculty to develop ideas and solutions through actionable projects that tackle social and environmental issues using a systems thinking and collective impact approach.

Workshops

CCEL runs a variety of workshops focused on effecting change in and with communities. Students learn to clarify and activate their values in these workshops and gain skills necessary to successfully create and execute these projects.

The UBC team won the national Map the System 2023 competition.

Map the System

Map the System is a global research-based competition for students to explore and present on a complex problem through a systems-thinking lens. The winning team is invited to the Canadian national competition.

UBtheChange and Community Action Days

UBtheChange is a student-led engagement campaign that aims to welcome other students into conversations on social and environmental issues. The UBtheChange Activators host sessions on campus through fun and low-barrier student events, or off campus as Community Action Days, which are short-term projects with schools and nonprofit organizations across Metro Vancouver.

Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Conference (MURC)

The Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Conference (MURC) is an opportunity for UBC undergraduate students to present their research. The Conference also includes workshops and keynote speeches. Students can also support the Conference as volunteers or adjudicators. 

Let’s Talk Science

Let’s Talk Science connects student volunteers with educators and youth to provide various science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning experiences in school and community settings.

Student-Directed Seminars

The Student Directed Seminars program provides upper-year undergraduate students the opportunity to deliver their own 3-credit seminar class with a small group of peers on a topic not currently offered at UBC Vancouver.

I’m Going to UBC

This one day event brings Vancouver elementary school students to UBC Campus to encourage youth to consider pursuing a university education. The day involves a campus tour with UBC Varsity athletes, a skills clinic with Varsity basketball and volleyball coaches, and a varsity game, where students can cheer on the Thunderbirds and take part in a campus tradition!

Grants and Awards

Student Grants

The Centre for Community Engaged Learning funds student-led projects that partner with BC-based community organizations. Grants are available so you can design and execute projects to address community priorities. Build your experience working with the community, and get creative in addressing social issues.

If you have questions

Please email community.learning@ubc.ca with your questions.