LIFE AT ECU | Creating + Learning

Shops + Studios

A spacious, sunlit printmaking studio with soaring ceilings lined in light wood and large floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of a city skyline and distant mountains. Several heavy-duty printing presses — black and red metal machines with rollers — are arranged on a polished concrete floor. A student in a black t-shirt and jeans works at a table near the window, preparing materials. Industrial ductwork runs along the walls, and modern linear lights hang from the ceiling, blending functional design with natural light.
LIFE AT ECU | Creating + Learning

Shops + Studios

Research Centres + Labs

Our Research Centres + Labs bring together faculty, students and partners to explore ideas, test materials and create social, cultural and environmental impact.

  • Design-led innovation for health, environment + community
  • Hands-on research in media, materials + emerging tech
  • Creative entrepreneurship + collaboration across disciplines
See our Labs + Centres
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Research opportunities are typically open to students through courses, research assistantships or faculty-led projects.

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Things to Know

About Our Research Centres + Labs

Emily Carr University’s research ecosystem fosters collaboration, experimentation and knowledge exchange across art, design and media.

Labs and Centres

  • Partner with industry, community + government organizations
  • Formal Research Centres receive ongoing support for long-term projects. Research Labs and Clusters focus on emerging and exploratory work.
  • Support faculty + student collaboration on funded projects
  • Advance research in sustainability, health, technology + culture
Explore Our Labs + Centres

Each lab brings a unique focus and research community.

  • Basically Good Media Lab — Reimagines technologies and their cultural, social + economic possibilities.
  • DESIS Lab — Explores how design drives social change and environmental sustainability.
  • Health Design Lab — Applies participatory design to improve health and care systems.
  • Material Matters — Investigates new materials + digital fabrication methods through creative research.
  • Shumka Centre for Creative Entrepreneurship — Connects artists and designers with pathways to professional impact.
See All Labs + Centres

Scenes from our Research Labs

Bachelor of Fine Arts student Shelly Kositsky and Master of Design student Sreya Naga Iakshi are engaged in the Charred Wood research initiative at Emily Carr University’s Material Matters research hub. Shelly holds up a piece of dark, textured material made from wood charcoal, showcasing an early experimental sample. Sreya stands beside her, smiling with interest, as they collaborate on exploring sustainable materials and innovative design applications.
The Material Matters research and production lab at Emily Carr University of Art + Design showcases a vibrant display of textile and fabric samples. Various materials, including felted pieces, woven fabrics, and handcrafted items, are hung on strings against a dark background. The collection features a mix of bold colors, intricate patterns, and textures, highlighting the creativity and experimentation that takes place in this innovative space.
Master of Design student Morgan Martino stands confidently in the DESIS Lab at Emily Carr University during the Jake Kerr Faculty of Graduate Studies 2024 Open Studios. The background features a wall covered with colorful sticky notes and diagrams, showcasing her research and design process. The table in front of her is organized with neatly folded fabrics and materials, reflecting her creative and methodical approach to her work.
A silhouette of a person is captured against a vibrant, colorful projection during the 2022 opening reception for The Show at Emily Carr University. The individual appears to be engaged with the artwork, adjusting their earphones as they immerse themselves in the visual and auditory experience. The warm, dynamic lighting creates a striking contrast, emphasizing the connection between the audience and the art.