Edmonton is an internationally-recognized learning city, as a member of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities. The Grand Challenge program is a key initiative that supports our City’s learning commitments, in partnership with the University of Alberta (U of A).
The program connects City priorities with U of A research and expertise. This collaboration contributes to creating a more sustainable future and improves how Edmontonians experience City services.
Collaborations
The City of Edmonton and the University of Alberta have a long history of successful collaborations, including knowledge-sharing and networking events, as well as through formal ongoing projects.
Urban Traffic Safety Research Chair
The endowed Research Chair in Urban Traffic Safety was established in 2011 to support collaborative, interdisciplinary research. Projects have leveraged federal research funding to inform urban speed management and automated enforcement.
This collaboration also supports education and training of undergraduate and graduate students at the U of A in traffic safety engineering.
Wild Edmonton
Uses remote cameras to monitor wildlife presence throughout Edmonton’s ecological network, an important factor in our city’s climate resilience. And the Edmonton Valley Zoo is collaborating with University researchers to extend this research from mammals to urban birds by completing a city-wide bioacoustic project to understand how birds are impacted by urban noise.
Learn more on Transforming Edmonton and by viewing the 'Explore Edmonton's Urban Wildlife with WildEdmonton!’ video.
Community University Partnerships (CUP)
CUP is a unique centre, operating since 2000 at the U of A. CUP facilitates meaningful collaborations between the U of A and the broader community to advance knowledge, policies and practices for the benefit of children, youth and families.
Impact Series
Business students at the Alberta School of Business have the opportunity to participate in an Impact Series, which is a 4-year learning opportunity to help students gain hands-on experience working on projects that are community-connected.
The Impact Series aims to push students beyond what they would normally do in a classroom and challenge themselves to think critically about how to create an impact in their community.
Contact Us
If you want to work with Grand Challenge or learn more about how we can work together, connect with us.
Email: cheryl.wickware@edmonton.ca or sandra.robertson@edmonton