UFV names Changemaking leadership

Dr. Anna Griffith (left) with Dr. Martha Dow (right)

Changemaking at UFV is a collaborative effort that we can all be a part of. However, this expansive, wide-reaching approach to problem-solving needs coordination to make sure ideas turn into action. To support this, we are proud to announce that two established faculty members with proven track records at UFV are taking on newly created Changemaking roles to bring this work to life.

Dr. Martha Dow — Senior Advisor Changemaking, Office of the Provost and Vice-President Academic

Dr. Martha Dow is an Associate Professor in Sociology at the University of the Fraser Valley and Director of the Community Health and Social Innovation (CHASI) Hub. Her work emphasizes action-oriented research, community collaboration, and evidence-based decision-making. Dr. Dow has worked on a variety of program and policy development projects in relation to public safety, health, education, and vulnerable populations and has presented her work internationally. She has worked with all levels of government, the United Nations, and a variety of non-governmental organizations collaborating on projects that engage her commitment to equity, social justice, and providing space for marginalized voices. Dr. Dow is a recipient of the UFV Teaching Excellence Award (2016), the Angus Reid Practitioner Applied Sociology Award (2022, Canadian Sociological Association), and the Pacific Sociological Association Distinguished Contribution to Sociological Praxis Award (2024).

Dr. Anna Griffith — Changemaker Curriculum Developer – Teaching & Learning Centre

Dr. Anna Griffith, an Associate Professor in the School of Creative Arts, specializes in developing high-impact, transformative courses. She holds certifications in Education for Sustainable Development (United Nations University for Peace and Earth Charter), Sustainable Leadership (Institute for Sustainable Leadership), and Leading Social Innovation in Post-Secondary (Ashoka Canada and Royal Roads University).

Anna’s research and teaching sit at the intersection of creativity, sustainability, and EDI with a focus on transdisciplinary collaboration. She has developed and taught several courses focused on themes of social justice, sustainability, and social innovation. Her research on Regenerative Education can be found on her podcast, Creative Praxis, which features interviews with changemaker educators from around the world. She is thrilled to be joining UFV’s Teaching and Learning Centre this year as a Changemaker Curriculum Developer and she looks forward to working with faculty to amplify the impact of changemaking within their courses and to contribute to an approach to education that is resilient, responsive, and helps prepare us for the uncertainties of tomorrow.

As Changemaker Curriculum Developer, Dr. Griffith supports faculty in developing or leveraging changemaking opportunities in their courses, helping them to integrate changemaker capacities, social innovation, and sustainability into their projects and pedagogies. Through faculty coaching, curriculum consultation, workshops, and a Community of Inquiry, the Changemaker Curriculum Developer can assist educators in leveraging the changemaking potential in their courses.