Vancouver has developed a reputation as a difficult place to raise kids. The high cost of childcare – for those who can find a spot – and the difficulty finding suitable housing have led many prospective parents to delay starting a family or explore alternatives, such as life in the suburbs. Those who choose to… Read more
Podcasts
Looking for something new to listen to? The alumni UBC Podcast brings you hundreds of hours of audio, featuring prominent speakers including William Shatner, Homa Hoodfar, and Mohamed Fahmy; as well as insightful discussions about current issues, such as mental health, pipelines, and cannabis legalization. It also covers topics related to innovation and entrepreneurship.
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Is collaboration the key to shaping Canada’s innovation future?
Innovation rarely comes as a single spark of inspiration. More often, it results from ideas coming together and efforts aligning in exciting new directions. For this to happen, there needs to be an innovation ecosystem that supports collaboration. When industry, government, and universities work together, it is possible to harness the research and talent that exists… Read more
In Conversation with Professor Santa J. Ono (North Shore)
Exploring Academia’s Influence on the Bay Area Tech Sector
It’s no surprise that great universities can have a positive influence on industry. When you have the brightest minds conducting leading edge research, the benefits are clear. In the Bay Area, a cluster of high profile academic institutions have contributed to the growth of a robust, world-leading innovation ecosystem. But how do these relationships work and… Read more
Are Canada’s pipeline approvals at odds with our climate commitments?
For years the possibility of new and expanded pipelines running across BC have raised questions related to First Nations land rights, coastal tanker traffic, and the nature of inter-provincial relationships. Underlying these questions, however, has always been the larger question of why we are continuing to invest in fossil fuel infrastructure at all given our… Read more
Can Victoria be saved from its own popularity?
Who wouldn’t want to live in Victoria? The city is known for its inviting lifestyle, affordable housing, good schools, plentiful green spaces, and solid career opportunities. It’s so tempting, in fact, that recent years have seen a spike in the number of newcomers setting up home. This growth in population, however, means that the very… Read more
Solitude: A Singular Life in a Crowded World – In Conversation with Author Michael Harris, BA’02
In his new book of non-fiction, Solitude: A Singular Life in a Crowded World, Governor General’s Award-winner, Michael Harris, BA’02, explores the profound emotional and intellectual benefits of being alone. He examines why our experience of solitude has become so impoverished and guides readers away from a life of ceaseless pings toward a balanced media… Read more
In Conversation with UBC President and Vice-Chancellor Prof. Santa J. Ono in Tokyo
Professor Santa Ono recently took office as the 15th President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of British Columbia. Professor Ono shares his early priorities and interests as well as gather input from alumni and friends on how we can continue to strengthen our university. He also speaks with Professor Andrea Damascelli, Professor and Scientific Director… Read more
A Budding Industry: The Future of Cannabis in Canada
The government of Canada has tabled legislation legalizing and regulating the sale, possession and use of cannabis. While the benefits and drawbacks of cannabis legalization in Canada have been debated for years, the complexity of doing so has become clear now that legalization is imminent. Hear from our panel of experts in Toronto as they discuss what… Read more
Save Our Seas: Why is Translating Good Science into Good Policy So %#*&^ Hard?
Scientific evidence has been telling us for years that our oceans are in peril. So why have we not been able to rectify the situation? Hear from Dr. Daniel Pauly, internationally-acclaimed fisheries scientist and principal investigator of the Sea Around Us, in a discussion that will bring to light the perilous state of the world’s… Read more
Big Data, Big Issues: Should we be worried?
Scientific innovation is accelerating at a breathtaking rate, with big data and related disciplines such as genomics opening up new possibilities in areas including health, sustainability and the environment. As advances are made though, as a population, are we even aware of the types of moral, ethical and scientific questions that we should be asking?… Read more
Examining Whiteness: What’s at Stake for Canada?
With the rise of populism in the U.S. and Europe, the time is right for a frank discussion on the realities of racism and critical reflection on white privilege in Canada. Recent events make it clear that it can and does happen here. Experts from UBC and the University of Alberta participate in this provocative… Read more