Universities located in urban centres are defying the image of post-secondary institutions as ‘ivory towers’. Growing beyond the core mandate of education and research, they work to integrate and engage with their communities, playing a key role in local economic development, public discourse and social change.

At least, that’s the intention, but not always the result.



For this edition of City Conversations – coinciding with SFU Vancouver’ 30th Anniversary – we seek to understand the comprehensive impact of urban universities on their communities, as well as the impact the community has on the institution.



How can we balance universities’ social, economic and intellectual contribution to communities with dislocation and gentrification? What are universities learning from their communities, and how are they sharing in the direction and benefits of their research and programs? What part do urban universities play in the work towards reconciliation, inclusion and equity?



To begin to tackle these questions, we welcome Heather De Forest, lead librarian of the Community Scholars Program; Chief Leanne Joe(Sxwpilemaat Siyam), Transformative Storyteller for Economic Reconciliation at SFU; and Julia Aoki, executive director at Megaphone.



Then it’s over to you! As always, your participation is a core part of City Conversations, but it’s especially important this time. How can we measure our impact on communities without hearing from you?



Bring your questions and your comments! Lunch is on us this time, as part of the celebration of SFU Vancouver’s 30th Anniversary.



Meg Holden, Director of Urban Studies at SFU, will moderate the conversation.