Prior to the devastating 2010 and 2011 earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand, the University of Canterbury (UC) was renowned for its graduates’ academic preparation and its staff’s research outputs. The town/gown relationship was aloof and strained due to UC’s move from the CBD in the 1970s and students being seen as troublemakers. Despite its vision of people prepared to make a difference, the University’s students and staff were not seen as making a difference in the local community or as being engaged citizens. This changed when over 9,000 UC students mobilized themselves into the Student Volunteer Army to provide immediate relief across Christchurch following the four major quakes of 2010 and 2011. Suddenly, UC students were seen as saviors, not miscreants and a focus on citizenship education as part of the University’s strategic direction began to take shape. Based on qualitative and quantitative research conducted at UC over the past four years, this interactive presentation will highlight the findings, conclusions, and implications of how the University has been transformed into a recognized, international leader in citizenship education. By integrating students’ community service into their academic studies, the University has changed its persona while students have gained academically, civically, and personally.
University of Canterbury students attend a lecture in a tent while lecture theatres were closed for structural testing. The photographer comments, "The University restarts its teaching, and the techies in e-learning move out of NZi3. Lectures in progress in UC's tent village".
A photograph of University of Canterbury Geology students surveying land on the Greendale fault line.
The University of Canterbury's CEISMIC project is building a digital archive of earthquake-related information
A photograph of damaged ceiling tiles in a teaching room at the University of Canterbury.
A poem by Jeffrey Paparoa Holman from "Shaken Down 6.3", Canterbury University Press 2012.
A poem by Jeffrey Paparoa Holman from "Shaken Down 6.3", Canterbury University Press 2012.
A poem by Jeffrey Paparoa Holman from "Shaken Down 6.3", Canterbury University Press 2012.
A poem by Jeffrey Paparoa Holman from "Shaken Down 6.3", Canterbury University Press 2012.
Students from the University of Canterbury ready to help build Gap Filler's Community Chess Board.
Two students from the University of Canterbury who helped build Gap Filler's Community Chess Board.
Flatman, University of Canterbury student and Christchurch-based superhero, photographed at a flat in Avonside.
Flatman, University of Canterbury student and Christchurch-based superhero, photographed at a flat in Avonside.
Flatman, University of Canterbury student and Christchurch-based superhero, photographed at a flat in Avonside.
Students from the University of Canterbury photographed in front of the pianos which they painted.
A photograph of a fallen heater in a lecture theatre at the University of Canterbury.
A crack in a wall of the University of Canterbury Electronic Learning Media team's offices.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Christchurch earthquake. Lincoln University Memorial Hall built 1929 suffered extensive damage".
A PDF copy of a submission for the University of Canterbury student-run magazine, CANTA, written by UC alumnus Mike Gibbs.
A scanned copy of page 7 of an issue of Canta published in May 1970. The page features an article on the All Blacks' tour of South Africa.
Members of the University of Canterbury's E-Learning team Lei Zhang and Jess Hollis in their temporary office in the University Printery building. The photographer comments, "The University restarts its teaching, and the techies in e-learning move out of NZi3. Our end of the temporary office; Lei, my desk in the corner, Jess in the other corner (with a window to the admin/reception desk between us), Paul's desk right foreground. (He's home with a cold.)
University of Canterbury staff Alan Hoskin, Alison McIntyre and Jess Hollis working in temporary office space set up in the NZi3 building. The photographer comments, "University of Canterbury administration all fits into one building! Well, sort of. Alison and Alan continue discussing, Jess continues sagging".
A video of a presentation by Assistant Professor Paolo Franchin of Sapienza University of Rome on "Modelling seismic vulnerability and resilience of interconnected infrastuctural systems". The presentation was delivered at the learning forum on Interdependencies of Lifeline Systems as part of the University of Canterbury's Lifeline Week.
A damaged wooden footbridge across the Avon River beside University Drive is blocked off with sheets of plywood and danger signs. The photographer comments, "The University restarts its teaching, and the techies in e-learning move out of NZi3. The bridge to the Rec Centre".
A map showing the site of a proposed expansion of the University of Otago's medical school.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Burnside High School with the University of Canterbury (upper left)".
One of the "Emergency campus closed" signs put up around the University following the September earthquake.
A photograph captioned by Paul Corliss, "University of Canterbury researchers in the Estuary. From Humphreys Drive".
Vice Chancellor of the University of Canterbury Dr Rod Carr writes about the 2010 Canterbury Earthquake.
A photograph of University of Canterbury alumnus Babul Hasan dressed in graduation regalia in Cathedral Square.