UFV CHASI Hub

10/01/2026

New public research from CHASI: For many post-secondary students, transferring to a new institution is an exciting step. It can mean moving into a new program, finding a better academic fit, or continuing their education closer to home.

For students who use academic accommodations, however, transferring can come with an additional set of challenges.

A new report from the University of the Fraser Valley's Community Health and Social Innovation (CHASI) Hub examines what happens when students with disabilities transfer between post-secondary institutions in British Columbia. Funded by the British Columbia Council on Admissions and Transfers (BCCAT), the report, Students with Accommodations and the Transfer Process: Challenges and Opportunities, looks at the policies, practices and experiences that shape the accommodation transfer process.

The research found that while accommodations are an important part of creating equitable access to education, transferring between institutions can require students to navigate a complicated and inconsistent system.

Learn more or read the full report on our blog: blogs.ufv.ca/chasi/transferring-with-accommodations-what-happens-when-students-with-disabilities-move-between-post-secondary-institutions

UFV Research Office James Mandigo, UFV President UFV College of Arts UFV Student Experience Office UFV Student Wellness Ufvcas

09/24/2026

Where does Canada stand on the rights of Afghan women and girls? Two friends of CHASI, Fatema D. Ahmadi and Dr. Mark Kersten, examined that question in their article published today in the Globe and Mail. The article highlighting Canada's actions and options in confronting the ongoing gender apartheid in Afghanistan.

You can read the article at this link: https://linkin.bio/ufvchasihub/

Dr. Kersten recently spoke on CHASI's panel in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan - more details here: blogs.ufv.ca/chasi/ufv-gathers-in-solidarity-with-the-people-of-afghanistan-for-5th-year

Fatema D. Ahmadi was an early guest on the CHASIcast, speaking on women's rights in Afghanistan back in 2023. That interview is still available at blogs.ufv.ca/chasi/chasicast-10 or by looking in the archives of the podcast on your preferred podcast app.

09/21/2026

Jerry Haak is our CHASI Champion for September 2026!

Jerry is a Logistics Generalist in UFV’s Logistics Services department. Whenever CHASI needs something from storage, Jerry is the first to lend a hand in hunting down an extra chair, shelf, or even a missing Christmas tree. Jerry also helps whenever we need something moved for an event, so we can thank him for helping make the annual Tea Dance possible. Jerry’s kind nature and positive energy make our campus brighter!

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A CHASI champion is someone who has been pivotal to CHASI’s success, and embodies changemaking, community, collaboration, and student support. We will be highlighting a new champion each month!

University of the Fraser Valley - UFV UFV College of Arts UFV Research Office James Mandigo, UFV President

08/24/2026

Earlier this month, the 2026 Community Health and Social Innovation (CHASI) Hub’s Social Sciences and the Art of Changemaking Summer Camp provided an opportunity for high school students to learn more about the social sciences, research, and to explore community issues that interest them.

Students engaged in research activities and met with community leaders to discuss how research can play a role in solving social problems. On each day of this free summer camp, students learned from a guest expert from the community, engaged in a practice session exercising skills for community research, had lunch from a local restaurant, and worked on answering their own community research question.

Thank you again to our generous sponsors, including the Mission Community Foundation for helping us bring this event to life!

Want to learn more or support future summer camps? Reach out to us at [email protected]!

University of the Fraser Valley - UFV UFV College of Arts UFV Research Office James Mandigo, UFV President University of the Fraser Valley - Economics Department UFV School of Criminology and Criminal Justice Archway Community Services

08/13/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us to stand in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan. The visible support is meaningful and impactful as we mark five years since the Taliban took over the country.

Thank you especially to our panellists:
- Sahar Maqsoodi
- Kimmy Coseteng, from Right to Learn Afghanistan
- Dr. Mark Kersten

Thank you as well to our co-sponsors, UFV Office of Sustainability and UFV Faculty & Staff Association.

As the panellists said: we hope that this will be the last year this event is needed — but if it is not, we'll see you again next August.

University of the Fraser Valley - UFV UFV College of Arts UFV Research Office UFV's Graphic + Digital Design James Mandigo, UFV President

08/11/2026

Lynette Haladin is our CHASI Champion for August 2026!

Lynette is a clerk at Print and Creative Services, and is always willing to jump in at the last minute to help CHASI with any and all printing needs. From posters for our annual Tea Dance to signs for our annual walkout, Lynette and her team always help us bring our designs to life!

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A CHASI champion is someone who has been pivotal to CHASI’s success, and embodies changemaking, community, collaboration, and student support. We will be highlighting a new champion each month!

University of the Fraser Valley - UFV UFV College of Arts UFV Research Office UFV's Graphic + Digital Design James Mandigo, UFV President

08/10/2026

Two CHASI's faculty associates have recently published articles related to physical activity for perimenopausal and postpartum women.

Both researchers from the School of Kinesiology, Dr. Iris Lesser and Dr. Amanda Wurz collaborated with Breanne Hobbs and Karen Natho on to publish "An exploration of physical activity guidance using individualized heart rate variability in perimenopausal women" in the Journal of Public Health.

Their research assessed feasibility, acceptability of, and experience with heart rate variability-guided physical activity in perimenopausal women, and explored associations between heart rate variability and perimenopausal symptoms, sleep quality, and stress. You can read it here: https://doi.org/10.1080/14927713.2026.2704500

Dr. Lesser, alongside Dr. Corliss Bean, also published an article in Leisure titled "Commentary – The increasing use of medication in postpartum weight loss and its effect on physically active leisure."

The article explores the current research and realities for postpartum women, the benefits of physically active leisure, and how the rising use of GLP-1 medications are impacting those choices. You can read it here: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-026-02856-3

University of the Fraser Valley - UFV UFV School of Kinesiology UFV Health Sciences UFV College of Arts UFV Research Office James Mandigo, UFV President

07/31/2026

August 15 marks five years since the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan and began dismantling human rights in the country. Please join us for a panel on Thursday, August 13 to learn more about the situation and for a walkout immediately afterwards — a tradition CHASI has organized since 2023, in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan.

Panel topics include:
- Human Rights
- International Law
- Education
- Intersectional Challenges in Afghanistan

This event is supported by UFV Office of Sustainability, with funding for the panel from the Office of the President and Vice Chancellor's Inclusive Community Fund (James Mandigo, UFV President).

Event details:
- Thursday, August 13 at UFV's Abbotsford campus.
- Panel 10:30–12:00: S1111, first floor of SUB Building
- Walkout 12:00–12:30: Meet between SUB and Gym

For questions or more information, please contact [email protected].

University of the Fraser Valley - UFV UFV College of Arts UFV Research Office UFV Global Development Studies Program

07/29/2026

We are so excited to be hosting our first ever summer camp for local high school students! A massive thank you to all of our partners who have helped bring this idea to life.

You’re never too young to be a changemaker.

UFV’s Community Health and Social Innovation (CHASI) Hub is holding a free four-day Social Sciences and the Art of Changemaking summer camp Aug. 4-7, showing high schoolers in Grades 11 and 12 how they can play a role in solving social problems.

Participants will learn about the social sciences and explore the community issues they’re passionate about.

🔗Find out more: https://ow.ly/YJ6350Zu0iT

07/15/2026

The CHASIcast is pleased to welcome Dr. Geoffrey Spurling, professor emeritus in the history department at the University of the Fraser Valley. Join guest host Chelsea Klassen and Dr. Spurling as they discuss his experience teaching Latin American history through soccer and song, FIFA’s political history, and the 2026 World Cup.

Please note, this episode was recorded on June 29th and further noteworthy developments we would have otherwise addressed have occurred since the time of recording.

The CHASIcast is also available to stream on your favourite podcast services – including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music/Audible, and more, or at https://blogs.ufv.ca/chasi/2026/07/15/chasicast-22/