Community Impact Report: UC's contributions to society

The 2023 report provides a close look at the diverse relationship between Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury and its home of Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Modern universities do a lot more than research and teaching. Coinciding with our 150^th anniversary, this in-depth, independent report shows the impact UC has had on the Waitaha Canterbury region across economic, cultural, social, health, leadership, and environmental measures.

UC incubates businesses, makes education more accessible, stands with local communities in times of need, contributes to a more sustainable future, and works with mana whenua partners Ngāi Tūāhuriri to deliver on our responsibilities as Aotearoa’s first Treaty university.

The report underscores three key themes in the ways UC contributes to our communities:

Growing Waitaha Canterbury

UC has incubated 372 start-ups, social enterprises, and spin-offs worth millions since 2018.
Since 2019, UC has spent over $500 million in Canterbury, 65% locally.
UC trains much of Canterbury’s workforce, with 49% of graduates who work in Aotearoa choosing to stay in the region.

Serving Waitaha Canterbury

In 2021, UC’s Student Volunteer Army carried out 9,340 hours of volunteering, equivalent to $220,891 of service given back to the local community.
40% of UC graduates go into public service roles.
UC trains 450 new teachers each year, over 60% of whom choose to teach in Canterbury schools.

Enriching Waitaha Canterbury

Since opening in 2017, 12,000 people attended more than 300 public events at UC Arts in the city.
UC's Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities attracted more than 60,000 visits since 2017.

These numbers are only a small sample of the significant impact UC has on our region.
View the full report for more.

Environmental impact news

Arctic sea-ice algae attract plastics, new ...

Amid global calls to reduce plastic production, new research shows high amounts of plastic in Arctic Sea ice and ...

David Pethybridge - artist's render of RoadVac

New venture hits the road to suck up dust ...

An engineering graduate turned entrepreneur is driving a new solution to the environmental problem of dust pollution ...

Organic, recyclable batteries could transform ...

A greener, rechargeable world could be within reach as Kiwi scientists develop a new battery that is rechargeable for ...

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Economic impact news

New venture hits the road to suck up dust ...

An engineering graduate turned entrepreneur is driving a new solution to the environmental problem of dust pollution ...

Walkable cities lead to healthier residents

Higher density neighbourhoods can help create vibrancy and lead to benefits for the environment and public health, ...

How do people react to Women Doing Science?

International scientists are using social media to both promote images of diverse women in STEM (Science, Technology, ...

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Social impact news

‘Super-matcher’ study seeks Sherlock skills

Do you have Sherlock Holmes-style powers of observation and razor-sharp attention to detail?

Abuse in care redress must be survivor-led, new ...

Survivors of abuse in care designing a redress system is of the utmost importance to achieve healing, Māori public ...

UC Community Feast champions Ōtautahi’s food ...

Ōtautahi’s food sustainability organisations, researchers and the public will gather to share kai, ideas and resources ...

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Health and wellbeing impact news

Innovative research uses patients’ heart cells

Heart attacks and strokes should not happen according to a University of Canterbury scientist, whose research into these ...

Managers need better skills to support wellbeing ...

Ongoing research by Canterbury organisational psychology researchers highlights the need to develop workplace leaders ...

How to help the overloaded mental health system

We can all help to take the pressure off Aotearoa New Zealand’s overloaded mental health system by upskilling and ...

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Cultural and creative impact news

‘Rock’ music from CSO to celebrate university’s ...

CSO musicians will use river stones as instruments when they perform the world premiere of a new work inspired by ...

Doco directed by UC lecturer screening at NZ film ...

A new film about a Kiwi farmer and peace activist, directed by acclaimed local filmmaker John Chrisstoffels, opens at ...

Recognition for Māori history scholar and ...

One of the country’s leading Māori history scholars will be awarded an honorary degree in recognition for his work ...

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Leadership impact news

Business leaders offer insights in new video ...

Inspiring experts and business leaders, including former Director-General of Health Sir Ashley Bloomfield, are sharing ...

UC celebrates excellence of over 100 colleagues

Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | the University of Canterbury (UC) celebrated the success of more than 100 academic and ...

Award for researcher’s efforts to help NZers stay ...

Wanting people to live healthier and happier lives is a big motivation for public health researcher Dr Matt Hobbs, who ...

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