Michael Brauer, a UBC Professor from the School of Environmental Health, has won UBC Library’s inaugural Innovative Dissemination of Research Award for the Cycling Metro Vancouver Route Planner.
The Innovative Dissemination of Research Award, which includes a certificate and $2,000, honours UBC faculty, staff and students who expand the boundaries of research with the creative use of new tools and technologies.
Brauer led a team that developed an interactive cycling route planner (www.cyclevancouver.ubc.ca), which integrates research from various sources and disseminates it via a user-friendly Google Maps interface. This planner is part of the Cycling in Cities program, based at UBC’s School of Population & Public Health and the School of Environmental Health.
The tool allows cyclists to find routes that fit personal preferences, such as distance, elevation gain, air quality and vegetation. The underlying code for the route planner can also be easily adapted to other municipalities wishing to embark on similar projects.
The Cycling Route Planner was recognized at the 2010 Celebrate Research Week Gala by Ingrid Parent, University Librarian. “The Library initiated the Innovative Dissemination of Research award to honour those who expand the boundaries of research by creatively using new tools and technologies to enhance understanding and uptake of research findings,” said Parent.
“We celebrate these pioneers in hopes of promoting the development of a critical mass of people who will continue to evolve dissemination in new and unexpected ways – and become role models for others to emulate,” she added.
The project from Brauer and his colleagues was one of 37 submissions from faculty, students and staff. The selection committee, made up of UBC faculty, publishers and librarians, was impressed by the array of approaches.
Highlighting the importance of UBC Library in the research process is one of the award’s key objectives. “Integrating the Library as an active participant in knowledge creation and dissemination on campus is one of the primary ways we aspire to increase the impact of UBC’s research,” said Parent.
“The Library will showcase Dr. Brauer’s work – and that of all the award applicants who have given their consent – on our Scholarly Communications website, and also in cIRcle, our digital repository for research and teaching materials created by the UBC community and its partners.”
On behalf of UBC Library, congratulations to Michael and his team!