The Research Services Office (RSO) was established at Aurora College in the research division, Aurora Research Instituted (ARI). As it builds research capacity across Aurora College, it is supported with three research centres:

  • Western Arctic Research Center (Inuvik)
  • North Slave Research Center (Yellowknife)
  • South Slave Research Center (Fort Smith)

Under the Director of Research Services there are 10 staff positions, which include compliance for research ethics, animal care, as well as key roles to coordinate research grants and to facilitate research development. The RSO works in collaboration with research data management which is staffed out of the College Library services.

The Vice President Research oversees the RSO, in particular with all staff reporting directly to them in the absence of the Director. Starting in 2024, the RSO WAS able to capture funds for the newly designed Grants and Awards Program which had previously flowed to external researchers. Aurora College also was recently awarded a federal Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Mobilize grant.

The RSO is currently implementing several key initiatives to provide effective services. These proactive approaches help ensure that the RSO provides relevant supports to uphold a strong Aurora College research community environment.

System modernization: RSO staff are exploring how the existing ROMEO research data management system can be replaced with a custom-designed and in-house-managed platform so that processes such as project tracking, metrics reporting, and data retention can be improved.

Funding successes: The RSO is happy to report the successful distribution of $50,000 in support through its Aurora College Grants and Awards Program for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, and $308,500 through its Mobilize Grant Program since its initiation in 2024. Aurora Research Institute and Aurora College researchers in all center communities have received funding through these programs for diverse projects including assessing climate change effects on legacy mining-impacted landscapes around Yellowknife, equipment purchases for community-partnered water monitoring efforts at Tsu Lake, and knowledge mobilization activities on ARI-led and co-led research and monitoring programs around the Beaufort Delta Region.

Process improvements: The RSO is developing a dedicated SharePoint site for the college’s research division. This site will serve as a central hub, providing important resources to support pre- and post-award grant funding activities. The goal is to provide easy access to research-related documents such as program guides, institutional policies and procedures, and research project setup and reporting forms.

ARI Research Plan: Adding the development of a Research Plan, with measurable metrics, as a replacement for a stand-alone strategic plan, better aligns the research division within the College’s strategic pillars. Like the Academic Plan, the Research Plan will be an evergreen document to advance research across Aurora College.

Research Data Management (RDM) and Research Security (RS): These are topics that are also advancing through the RSO. While not mandated by the Tri-Agencies, the College is leading the adoption and implementation of RDM and RS at the College so that it is ready for the next generation of Artificial Intelligence and research collaborations.