(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)

The City of Kamloops is hoping a new partnership with Thompson Rivers University will be an important tool in resolving serious issues including economic recovery from COVID-19.

A new pilot project has begun "that will provide valuable research to benefit the community," according to a city news release.

The project involves the appointment of a new Researcher-in-Residence, TRU'S Dr. Cheryl Gladu, and five research interns.

The city says Dr. Gladu will work closely with city staff to identify annual research projects that have a direct impact on the community, and her research could result in changes to city policies, bylaws, programs and services. Dr. Gladue said in a news release she is also looking for community input.

“I am excited about the prospect of engaging in very applied research that addresses real problems, in real time, with people from across the community, and I am excited to begin learning together."

The city says anticipated areas of research and policy development could include economic recovery from COVID-19, response to vulnerable population needs in the community, and future planning for the cultural sector.

"This is not just about making the research resources of the university available to the City, but rather it is about working together and co-creating solutions to real world problems. The new Researcher-in-Residence initiative is all about enhancing the impact of our collective research power,” said Dr. Will Garrett-Petts, TRU’s Associate Vice President, Research and Graduate Studies.

Mayor Ken Christian said the research will "inform solutions to pressing challenges facing the municipality and the region and provide local opportunities for TRU students to gain real life experience."

Dr. Gladu was selected from an international pool of applicants and has been teaching at TRU since 2019.

According to her bio, she studies how people co-create systems and structures for simpler yet richer lives and, to that end, has investigated collaborative housing communities. She has over a decade of teaching and research experience.

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