A look back at the stories that showcase how AU transforms lives like no other
With learners at the centre, AU makes the world better for the communities we serve—through our teaching, research, and impact, from local to global, in place and in digital space.
Here’s a look back at ten of our most compelling research and teaching stories from 2025. These stories showcase how from our home campus in Athabasca, our core priorities of access, opportunity, and community support the efforts of AU community members in making their highest contributions.
Athabasca University researchers address critical challenges through innovation and collaboration
Athabasca University is a disruptor among universities, with innovative researchers working to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges in education, health care, business, and technology, improving lives and communities.
Now in its fifth year, the Research with Reach series spotlights four researchers and their real-world impact: Dr. Lana Ray’s work on revitalizing Indigenous Healing Systems, Dr. Ali Dewan’s exploration of how AI can keep students engaged in learning, Dr. Kharah Ross’s efforts to combat gender violence through hands-on collaboration with community partners, and Dr. F. Haider Alvi’s work to find whole-planet solutions to whole-planet problems.
Learn more about AU’s Research with Reach
Knowledge for everyone: How open access expands the reach and impact of the university press
AU Press has been trailblazing since it was created in 2007. By making its material available for free, AU Press is helping to make the research and knowledge held at universities available to anybody that wants it, no matter their background or location.
Read the full story about AU Press
Climate change taking toll on teen mental health, study finds
According to a national survey led by AU researchers, more than a third of Canadians teens report that climate change has led to feelings of anxiety, stress, and worry, as well as fueling concerns and uncertainty for the future.
Researchers, policymakers, educators, and health professionals can use the survey data to develop tools and supports to help youth understand and navigate their feelings and develop a sense of resilience.
Learn more about AU’s climate change survey
Canada’s top open-access education journal celebrates 25 years of leadership in open and distributed learning
In 2025, the International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning (IRRODL) celebrated 25 years of innovation. In 2000, it was the first fully digital and entirely free academic journal in Canada. Today, it is both the top education journal and the number one open-access education journal in Canada, and internationally, the journal is ranked 16th among all educational technology journals.
By providing free access to articles on distributed education, IRRODL continues to push boundaries like no other—advancing UNESCO’s goal of education for all by helping to make learning accessible to anyone, anywhere.
Learn more about IRRODL’s role in advancing UNESCO’s goal of education for all
TransLab a new digital space to share research, foster community
“In a brick-and-mortar university, there are offices, centres, and places where students can show up, where meetings happen. I really wanted TransLab to have that feeling of a place to go, a place to be, a place to learn and be in the community,” said Dr. Tobias Wiggins.
TransLab, a new online research hub created by researcher Dr. Tobias Wiggins, is designed to amplify trans scholarship while also creating more venues for trans students to pursue their academic goals.
Read the full story about TransLab
How to cite course materials in APA
AU’s Write Site and its team of writing specialists support all AU students—from any program and all faculties—to develop as academic writers as they progress through their studies.
One of the ways the Write Sites team supports our community of learners is through the Dear Write Site series. In each post, a writing specialist answers an academic writing question with detailed examples and instructions.
In this Dear Write Site post, learn how to properly cite group work, discussion forum posts, course presentations, and more in APA style!
See examples of how to cite course materials in APA
AI research like no other
We kicked off 2025 by profiling seven artificial intelligence researchers like no other at the School of Computing and Information Systems in the Faculty of Science and Technology. These researchers are not only regularly sharing their research and applications with the public to improve lives, but they are also creating opportunities like no other for undergraduate and graduate students to get practical, hands-on experiences developing these innovative technologies.
From figuring out the “how”—using AI to personalize learning and improve outcomes, to considering the “should we”—evaluating ethical considerations and exploring how to use AI responsibly, discover how AU researchers and students are leading the way with AI.
Learn more about AU’s science professors and students researching AI
Free Athabasca University course helps counter anti-Indigenous racism in health care
What if anyone, anywhere could access education at no-cost that helps support meaningful change? Athabasca University is making this possible with a free massive online open course (MOOC) for learners of all backgrounds—Indigenous Health and Wellness, Advocacy, and Allyship MOOC.
Designed for both health-care professionals and anyone committed to taking meaningful action to promote equity, the course aims to address health and social disparities through exploring the roots of anti-Indigenous racism and discrimination.
Learn more about this new free course
AU dean’s work fosters global connections for business development in Africa
Athabasca University’s research and teaching expertise extends beyond national borders, as evidenced by Dr. Simon Sigué’s work with the Academy of African Business and Development (AABD) to solve complex global business challenges.
With a career spanning over 25 years of research in marketing and international development, and his pivotal role with the AABD, Sigué is empowering scholars, students, and practitioners from Africa and around the world to tackle real economic challenges, build research capacity, and strengthen global business networks like no other.
Read the full story about AU’s connection to African business development
Providing free science education in the Athabasca region, and beyond
Since 2001, AU has opened the door to science education like no other for children, adults, and curious minds everywhere with its volunteer-led program Science Outreach – Athabasca.
In the last two decades, Science Outreach - Athabasca has delivered more than 1,000 activities to more than 20,000 people in communities throughout north-central Alberta, and—through their website and YouTube channel—well beyond Alberta's borders.
A university Like No Other
Athabasca University is a university like no other, uniquely focused on the core priorities of access, community, and opportunity.