TRU researcher develops AI tool for nursing communication
Dr. Anila Virani leads ongoing research and development of AISimSpeak, an AI-powered platform focused on therapeutic communication training.
Make an impact
Building a sense of commitment and belonging through community-engaged research.
Engage in research
Our research services support you every step of the way.
Student opportunities
Enhance your ability to think critically, ask tough questions and search for compelling answers. This is your education journey, make the most of it.
Let's work together
From discovering innovative ways to minimize energy use, to developing evidence-based research to support those at risk of homelessness — our researchers are actively engaged members of the community.
Graduate studies
Discover our programs and uncover the career opportunities open to you.
Research services
Faculty resources
Brings teaching, scholarly activities, research, creative practice and innovation together.
Learn MoreTRU library
Brings teaching, scholarly activities, research, creative practice and innovation together.
Learn MoreResearch ethics
Find out if you need to obtain approvals before conducting your research.
Learn MoreIn the news
Less waste, better choices: rethinking restaurant menus
Dr. Yaou Hu's tourism research explores how clearer menu communication can help reduce unintentional food waste.
TRU faculty member honoured with international nursing and midwifery fellowship
Dr. Melba D'Souza has been awarded the Fellowship of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
National Research Recognition
A significant growth in sponsored research income has put Thompson Rivers University onto Research Infosource’s Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities 2023 list. TRU’s total sponsored research income is valued at $8.5 million. This includes all funds that support research, such as grants, contracts or contributions from sources external to the institution.
Our research income value increased by 29.9 per cent, placing the university second in the undergraduate tier for research income growth between fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2022.
Some of the highlights of TRU’s research funding for this period include $1.4 million to expand Dr. Laura Doan’s peer-mentoring program for early childhood educators, $850,000 from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation to build a world-class genomics lab under the direction of Dr. Jonathan Van Hamme, a new and renewed Canada Research Chair and a $1-million grant for John Church from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada for the development of climate-resilient cattle.
Wildfire science TRU’s team of wildfire experts is unparalleled
While more extreme fire weather and fire activity are expected, there are opportunities to reduce the risk of catastrophic fires by adapting fire management strategies to mitigate changing climate and other risks. That’s where TRU and our unparalleled expertise in wildfire science comes in.
Learn More
Research centres
Research centres offer opportunities for interdisciplinary research on areas of shared interest
All My Relations – Advancing Indigenous community wellness by bringing together regional, national, and international Indigenous researchers to work in partnership with Indigenous communities to identify, research, advance and build capacity and capability in Indigenous community wellness.
Centre for Optimization and Data Science – An intellectual hub to foster multi-disciplinary research and to enhance the quality of research, not only in the theoretical study of optimization and decision-making science, as well as applications of optimization to real-world problems.
Learn More
Roadmap to research
Interested in gaining research experience at TRU but don’t know where to start? Created by students, for students, the Canadian Undergraduate Research Network (CURN) provides a roadmap to research, making it more accessible, approachable and attainable. Find a path that’s right for you, today.
Learn More
CURNcast
The CURNcast is a podcast made BY students FOR students to explore the world of undergraduate research. Hosted by students at Thompson Rivers University, our goal is to break down the barriers to research and debunk common myths that may prevent students from pursuing research opportunities.
Learn MoreResearch events
TRU Three Minute Thesis (#TRU3MT)
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is an internationally recognized research communication competition.
In a Nutshell competition
In a Nutshell is an annual Undergraduate Research Competition where students are challenged to share their research.
BC Interior Regional Ethics Bowl
The TRUSU Philosophy Club and TRU faculty invite you to the BC Interior Regional Ethics Bowl!
Find an expert
Journalists can reach out directly to TRU faculty members for information and insights into their areas of research and expertise.
View expertsThompson Rivers University campuses are on the traditional lands of the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc (Kamloops campus) and the T’exelc (Williams Lake campus) within Secwepemcúl’ecw, the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwépemc. The region TRU serves also extends into the territories of the St’át’imc, Nlaka’pamux, Nuxalk, Tŝilhqot'in, Dakelh, and Syilx peoples.
