Blog and Opportunities

Free workshop through the UVic Biology Undergraduate Society on using R to visualize and analyze spatial data.

Tuesday 18 March 4-7 pm. We have set aside seats for grad students/research technicians.

You will learn about R and its data visualization capabilities with the ggplot2 package, then move into how we can use R’s spatial data packages to create beautiful maps of our study areas (as well as interactive and animated maps).

Even if you don’t need to make maps for your research, the workshop includes some handy ggplot tricks and tips.

New content and a fun opportunity to build R skills.

For a sneak peak, you can check out a past workshop for the Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution here: https://github.com/wesleygreentree/CSEE2024-R-maps

 

Calling All Water and Environmental Researchers,

We are excited to invite you to the Water and Environment Student Talks (WEST) 2025 conference “Shaping Water Futures: Innovation and Collaboration”, happening June 12th (online) and June 13th (in-person) at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver campus.

The WEST Conference is organized by a committee of graduate students from the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria. We aim to create a platform that brings together water and environmental researchers from diverse disciplines, providing a space for learning and fostering collaboration. This annual event is known for its inclusive atmosphere, encouraging innovation, and the exchange of ideas between students across the Pacific Northwest and internationally.

We are inviting both attendees and student presenters to join us for this exciting event! This is an incredible opportunity to be part of an interdisciplinary and international forum. Secure your spot today and contribute to shaping the future of water research! Students can benefit from presentation sessions, keynote speakers, industry night networking, and panelist conversations. Registration is FREE for all.

Register today via THIS LINK 

Additionally, the call for abstracts is now open! Student presenters have the opportunity to win cash prizes in each presentation category. Submit your abstract via the registration link. We are accepting abstract submissions in the following session categories: (detailed descriptions are available within the registration form):

• Hydrology and Environmental Systems
• Water Access, Sanitation, and Hygiene
• Social Sciences in the World of Water
• Innovation and Technology for Future Water
• Predicting and Mitigating Human Impact on Water

Conference Format & Venue:

• June 12, 2025 – Virtual via Zoom
• June 13, 2025 – In-person at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

Important Dates & Registration:

• Abstract Submission Deadline: March 24, 2025
• Registration Deadline: May 31, 2025

Further details about conference events including  keynote speakers and panel discussions will be released soon on our official conference website.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to info@west-conference.ubc.ca. We look forward to hearing from you and learning about your research!

The Outreach Instructors will be responsible for delivering Learn to Fish programs, and other FFSBC outreach programs to the public including youth and their families, schools, and community groups, as well as engaging with anglers and the public.

The Instructors will also be responsible for the maintenance of Learn to Fish equipment and ponds including cleaning exclusion screens, feeding fish, general pond upkeep, maintenance of Visitor Centre aquaria, as well as field work activities including angler effort monitoring, angler surveys, water sample collection, and water quality testing.

The opportunities are available between April 28^th and August 23^rd, and are at various locations throughout the province as detailed in the posting.

The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC seasonal Outreach Instructor opportunities are now posted on our careers site.

 

Registration link and event details can be found on the event page.

Session details

• • Date: Friday, March 28^th, 2025
  • Time: 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm (PST)
  • Delivery: Online using Zoom

CRA Tax Information Session for International Students

Wednesday, March 5 | 9 am PT | Online

Are you an international student wondering whether, or how, you should file a Canadian income tax return? Join us for an income tax information session, where a representative from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will provide an overview on the Canadian income tax system. They will go over tips for filing income taxes, review applicable benefits and credits, and share other important tax information for international students.

We strongly encourage students to review information on the CRA website and the ICS website prior to attending the event.

Please register here.

 

Attention International Student:

BC MSP Application Drop-in

Mondays | 1:30-2:30 pm

Have you applied for BC MSP? International students planning to stay in BC for 2 terms or more must apply for primary health insurance through the BC Medical Services Plan. If you haven’t yet applied, or have any questions about your coverage, drop in any Monday from 1:30 – 2:30 pm at the International Centre for Students (Jamie Cassels Centre office B202D).

Registration is not required.

What to expect during the BC MSP Drop-in? ICS Settlement Advisers will share information on the BC Medical Service Plan, guide students in completing the BC MSP application, and answer any student questions.

If you plan to apply, please bring a laptop or tablet, a scanned copy of your study permit, and your address in Victoria.

Nominations close on Thursday, February 13 at 5 p.m. The Nomination Form and instructions can be accessed via the UVSS elections website (www.uvsselections.com). 

Are you an international student preparing for your co-op/internship/practicum experiencing and looking for guidance on completing your IRCC application?

The International Centre for Students will host in-person Co-op/internship/practicum Work Permit Application Drop-in Hours to provide one-on-one assistance. Refer to the links below for detailed information about these drop-in sessions on co-op work permit assistance:

 

Get Work-Ready: Co-op Work Permit Application Assistance

• February 10: 11:00am to 12:30pm (PT)
• February 11: 11:30am to 1:00pm (PT)

No registration is required! These in-person drop-in sessions offer one-on-one assistance on a first-come, first-served basis. To make the most of your time, review the recording and presentation slides from our previous session on the Working in Canada webpage, where you’ll find helpful tips and resources to get started. When you come, please bring:

• Your laptop and UVic OneCard
• Required application forms and documents (digital or hard copy)
• Any questions you have!

Hello everyone,

I hope you’re staying warm during the winter weather!

We wanted to let you know that the biology.honours@uvic.ca and biology.directedstudies@uvic.ca email addresses will be discontinued.

Any emails sent to these addresses will be redirected to biology@uvic.ca until the end of March. However, moving forward, please send all Honours-related and Directed Studies-related emails directly to biology@uvic.ca.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Warm Regards,

The Biology Office

The Ocean of Data Challenge: Telling Ocean Stories, is a national competition focused on science communication and ocean data storytelling.

Running from February 6–24, 2025, this free challenge gives students the chance to transform real ocean data from Ocean Networks Canada into engaging, meaningful stories that make science more accessible.

Hosted by DeepSense, COVE, and ShiftKey Labs, this exciting challenge is open to current students (full-time or part-time) and recent graduates (within the past 12 months) of a Canadian post-secondary institution. The challenge kicks off virtually on February 6th at 6:00 pm AST with an introduction to the challenge, expert presentation, and a Q&A session.

Final submissions are due by February 24th, with winners announced on March 12th.

• Interdisciplinary Collaboration – Open to students from all fields, not just computer science! Creativity and diverse perspectives are encouraged.
• Hands-on Experience – A unique opportunity to explore ocean data and develop impactful storytelling skills.
• Cash Prizes – Four prizes totalling more than $1800 will be awarded to the winners.
• Flexible Participation – Students can compete individually or in teams of up to five, working at their own pace over the challenge period.

This challenge is a great way to develop science communication skills, gain hands-on experience with ocean data, and explore interdisciplinary collaboration.

Instagram, LinkedIn.

For details and registration, visit: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/deepsense/1544374.