UNB News
News and stories from one of Canada’s top universities

As writers for the UNB Newsroom, we have the privilege of sharing the best of UNB, year-round. Finding stories to tell is easy. In fact, they most often find us.

2024 was no different.

This year, we spoke with hundreds of members of our community, each with compelling stories that when put together, tell the story of UNB.

While they are all worthy of recognition, here are some 2024 highlights that reflect our achievements in research, transformative education, community engagement and impact, sustainability, and our commitment to being a people-centered and values-informed university.

Research impact

Researchers from UNB made significant strides in enhancing seaport safety and sustainability through the PORT WATCH initiative. This collaborative project aimed to develop greener, safer and smarter seaports. By integrating artificial intelligence, subsea mapping and remote sensing, the team worked to monitor climate change impacts and safeguard critical infrastructure.

UNB also celebrated significant achievements in research with the awarding of Canada Research Chair (CRC) funding to two distinguished faculty members. Dr. Veronica Whitford was renewed as the Canada Research Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience of Bilingual Reading Across the Lifespan. Her research delves into eye movement patterns and brain activity to understand language learning and usage.

Marine biologist Dr. Suchinta Arif will take up the position of Canada Research Chair in Ecological Modelling along with a professorship in biological sciences and mathematics when she begins at UNB in January 2025. Her innovative work focuses on understanding rapid ecological changes in marine environments and developing sustainable conservation and management plans.

In August 2024, Dr. Trevor Hanson, a civil engineering professor at UNB, launched the Community Transportation Research Laboratory (CTRL). Its team of experts is addressing transportation challenges in New Brunswick, particularly in smaller urban and rural areas. By collaborating with researchers, communities and technical staff, the lab is developing innovative solutions to improve transportation accessibility, affordability and sustainability across the province.

Transformative education for the future

In early 2024, we had the honour of highlighting UNB’s innovative Wabanaki bachelor of education program. Developed in collaboration with Wabanaki Elders and Knowledge Keepers, Indigenous perspectives are integrated into the curriculum, providing students with a deeper understanding of Indigenous cultures, histories and contemporary issues.

We featured the Learn Where You Live (LWYL) program, which is addressing the nursing shortage in New Brunswick. Through LWYL, licensed practical nurses pursue their bachelor of nursing degrees virtually without the need to relocate. The program gets an innovative edge through its integration of immersive virtual reality technology for clinical simulations, developed by UNB’s Spatial Computing Education, Training & Research Laboratory.

UNB also launched its Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program on the Saint John campus this year. Through the stories of Brenna Huntley and Taylor McBeath, the impact of the program is evident. Huntley said the program's focus on practical, hands-on learning through immediate field placements has been crucial for her development.

Similarly, Taylor McBeath highlighted how the program’s trauma-informed approach and courses on intercultural communication and cultural safety have prepared her to support others facing adversity and engage empathetically across diverse cultural contexts. Both students highlight the program's role in addressing the local shortage of social workers by training individuals who are embedded in and committed to their community.

Engagement and impact

The Promise Partnership Discovery Camps offer children aged eight to 15 hands-on learning experiences in STEAM fields, including engineering, health science and moviemaking. These camps, supported by bursaries to ensure accessibility for all socioeconomic backgrounds, aim to inspire young minds and make university education feel attainable.

Early this year, UNB Student Food Banks were launched on both campuses. With support from the university, a dedicated group of UNB students is addressing food insecurity on campus by providing essential resources to students in need.

People-centric, values-informed university community

This year, Canadian journalist and survivor of intimate partner violence, Anna Maria Tremonti, shared her powerful story with UNB master of education in counselling student, Jay Michaud, inspiring many and reinforcing our values of empathy and resilience.

This year, UNB was recognized for the 13th consecutive year as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2025. This accolade highlights UNB's dedication to fostering both professional and personal growth for its employees. The university offers a range of benefits, including fertility support, maternity and parental leave top-ups, flexible work options and retirement planning assistance. UNB's commitment to a positive work environment is evident through amenities such as on-site childcare, telecommuting workstations and access to fitness facilities. This recognition underscores UNB's innovative approach to meeting the diverse needs of its community.

Modern, integrated, sustainable UNB

In September, the university unveiled the newly modernized Neville-Jones House on the Fredericton campus. The renovation transformed the residence into a state-of-the-art facility with energy-efficient windows, keyless locks and enhanced privacy features. Nearby, the Student Union Building underwent significant renovations, revealing improved spaces for social engagement, a new campus bookstore, pharmacy, wellness space and more.

The faculty of forestry and environmental management’s new dean, Dr. Michelle Gray, emphasized the importance of viewing forestry and environmental management through the lenses of sustainability and climate change when her five-year term was announced in March.

As we reflect on the hundreds of stories shared in 2024, it is clear that UNB has made significant strides in progress toward our Toward 2030 strategic plan.

As writers, we look forward to connecting with brilliant minds and sharing the stories of our people and the communities we serve. We cannot wait to see what 2025 will bring.