Brock University supports lifelong learning through public lectures, workshops, exhibitions, seminars, and educational events that are open to community members, students, staff, faculty, and visitors. These activities provide opportunities for knowledge sharing, public engagement, and learning beyond formal academic programs.

Examples include:

• Learning Commons Programming: The Library’s Learning Commons provides educational exhibits, instructional sessions, research support initiatives, and public-facing learning opportunities that promote lifelong learning and information literacy.
• Community-Focused Exhibitions and Displays: Brock regularly hosts public exhibits, educational displays, and curated book collections that connect community members with topics such as history, culture, Indigenous education, and social justice. These include awareness displays for events such as Islamic Heritage Month, which highlight the contributions and experiences of Muslim communities through educational resources and recommended readings. In June 2026, Brock also hosted its fourth annual Speaking with Pride event, a free public program that promoted learning, dialogue, and community engagement
• SDG Month: Brock takes part in SDG month annually. In 2026, events such as a seminar series that explored different SDGs, a documentary screening, and a sustainability fair were featured and open to the public.
• Indigenous Education Week (IEW) and International Education Week (IDW): Brock hosts annual events, presentations, panel discussions, and cultural learning opportunities that promote intercultural understanding, global citizenship, Indigenous knowledge, and international perspectives for both the University and broader community.
• Black History and African Heritage Month: Each February, Brock organizes lectures, guest speakers, workshops, artistic performances, and community events that celebrate Black excellence, explore the histories and contributions of Black communities, and encourage ongoing learning related to equity and inclusion.
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Month Programming: Brock offers educational events throughout National Truth and Reconciliation Day and related programming periods, including guest speakers, workshops, learning circles, and discussions that promote understanding of Indigenous histories, reconciliation, and the Calls to Action.
• PACHRED Working Group Events: The President’s Advisory Committee on Human Rights, Equity and Decolonization (PACHRED) supports educational events, discussions, and awareness initiatives that encourage learning and dialogue on equity, inclusion, accessibility, anti-racism, and decolonization.
• Brock Talks Public Lecture Series: Hosted by Brock’s Faculty of Humanities, Brock Talks is a long-running public lecture series held in partnership with the St. Catharines Public Library. The series invites faculty members to share their research with community audiences on topics ranging from history and literature to digital humanities, critical thinking, and contemporary social issues. Events are free and open to the public.
• Goodman School of Business Luncheon Speaker Series: Since 2005, the Goodman School of Business has hosted regular public research talks featuring Brock faculty members and visiting scholars. Topics include sustainability, business ethics, workplace well-being, innovation, responsible commercialization of technology, accounting, finance, and consumer behaviour, providing ongoing professional and lifelong learning opportunities for students, staff, and community members.
• Social Sciences Symposium Series: Brock’s Faculty of Social Sciences hosts interdisciplinary symposiums that are free and open to the public. Recent topics have included Digital Regulation in the Public Interest, Food Systems, Shelter and Displacement, Movement and Mobility, and Social Justice and Community Collaboration, bringing together researchers, students, policy experts, and community partners to share knowledge on pressing societal issues

Brock University supports lifelong learning and workforce development through workshops, training opportunities, skills-development programming, and community learning initiatives. These activities provide participants with practical knowledge and transferable skills that support professional growth, employability, and personal development.

Examples include:

• Library Skills Workshops: The James A. Gibson Library regularly offers workshops on literature searching, citation management, using Omni and academic databases, evaluating information sources, systematic and scoping review methods, and research data management. These sessions help participants build research, information literacy, and professional skills that are valuable in both academic and workplace settings.
• Geospatial and GIS Training: Brock Library provides specialized support and training in mapping, geographic information systems (GIS), geospatial technologies, and digital tools that support workforce and professional skill development.
• Learning Commons Programming: The Library’s Learning Commons offers educational programming, workshops, and learning resources designed to build practical skills for study, research, communication, and professional success.
• Workshops and Community Learning Events: Brock hosts workshops, educational sessions, and public learning opportunities throughout the year that support ongoing personal and professional development for students, staff, faculty, and community members.
• Professional and Continuing Studies Certificates and Micro-Credentials: Through Professional and Continuing Studies, Brock offers certificate programs, micro-credentials, and professional training opportunities for learners at all career stages. Programming includes leadership development, project management, human resources, communication skills, adult education, and sector-specific training designed to support career advancement, workforce development, and lifelong learning.

Brock University supports educational outreach beyond campus through partnerships, community-based learning initiatives, public engagement activities, and collaborations with external organizations. These initiatives extend educational opportunities to community members, municipalities, schools, non-profit organizations, and local stakeholders throughout the Niagara region and beyond.

Examples include:

• DSBN Academy Partnership: Brock University’s Learning Services and Brock Student Success Centre work with DSBN Academy to support students from underrepresented backgrounds through academic skills programming, mentorship, campus experiences, transition support, and pathways-to-post-secondary initiatives designed to improve educational attainment and long-term student success.
• Let’s Talk Science Outreach: Brock’s Lab-in-a-Box program allows teachers to borrow kits containing classroom science supplies, making hands-on STEM learning more accessible to schools throughout Niagara. In addition, trained volunteers provide free classroom visits and community outreach activities that engage students from Grades 1–12 in interactive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.
• Level Up Black Students: Brock’s Level Up Black Students initiative supports Black Student Associations in local secondary schools through leadership development, mentorship, educational programming, and community-building activities. The program helps Black youth develop academic, personal, and leadership skills while strengthening pathways to post-secondary education.
• Future Black Leaders Mentorship Program: Brock connects Black secondary school students with mentors, role models, and educational opportunities that support academic success, career exploration, leadership development, and informed pathways to higher education.
• Niagara Adapts: Brock’s Environmental Sustainability Research Centre (ESRC) partnered with municipalities across Niagara to support climate adaptation planning through stakeholder engagement, public consultations, workshops, and community-focused knowledge sharing. The initiative translated climate research into practical tools and educational resources that help local governments and residents better understand and prepare for climate-related risks.
• Niagara Community Observatory: Brock’s public policy think-tank conducts community-engaged research and hosts public forums, discussions, reports, and educational events that help residents, community organizations, and decisionmakers better understand social, economic, and policy issues affecting the Niagara region.
• Community-Based Sustainability Partnerships: Through the Environmental Sustainability Research Centre, Brock collaborates with municipalities, conservation authorities, school boards, and community organizations to address environmental and sustainability challenges. These partnerships create opportunities for knowledge exchange, public education, applied research, and community capacity-building outside the traditional classroom.
• WWF-Canada Living Planet @ Campus Partnership: Through its partnership with WWF-Canada, Brock supports environmental education, citizen engagement, and conservation initiatives that connect students with community-based sustainability action. The program encourages participants to apply environmental knowledge beyond campus through outreach, awareness campaigns, and local conservation activities.
• FIRST Robotics Canada Cup and International Competition: Brock hosts and supports FIRST Robotics competitions that bring together elementary and secondary school students from across Ontario and beyond to develop skills in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), teamwork, problem-solving, and innovation through hands-on robotics challenges.

Brock University maintains policies and institutional practices that support equitable access to education, research, and lifelong learning opportunities. Through recognition of prior learning, accessibility accommodations, open access to research, and protections against discrimination and harassment, the University works to reduce barriers to participation and ensure that learners from diverse backgrounds can access educational opportunities throughout their lives.

Examples include:

• Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR): Brock recognizes that valuable learning occurs both inside and outside traditional educational environments. Through its PLAR pathway, applicants may gain admission to select undergraduate programs based on competencies developed through employment, volunteering, community involvement, and other life experiences. Brock also offers PLAR for Advanced Standing, allowing eligible students to receive academic credit for prior learning acquired through workplace experience, professional training, certifications, military service, continuing education, and other non-traditional learning pathways.
• Accessibility Policy: Brock University’s Accessibility Policy supports equal access to educational programs, services, facilities, and learning opportunities by identifying, removing, and preventing barriers for persons with disabilities. The policy helps ensure that lifelong learning opportunities remain accessible to all members of the University community.
• Open Access Policy: Brock’s Open Access Policy promotes broad public access to scholarly research by encouraging researchers to make their publications openly available whenever possible. By increasing access to research beyond the University community, the policy supports lifelong learning, knowledge sharing, and public engagement with scholarship.
• Discrimination and Harassment Policy: Brock’s Discrimination and Harassment Policy promotes an inclusive environment free from discrimination and harassment. The policy helps ensure that educational opportunities are accessible to all individuals regardless of protected grounds, supporting equitable participation in learning and academic life.