Updates, news and stories

Extension of appointment of Dr. Pamela Ratner, Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President, Faculty Planning

I am pleased to announce that the Board of Governors has approved the extension of appointment of Dr. Pamela Ratner as Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President, Faculty Planning at UBC Vancouver for a second five-year term, commencing July 1, 2021.  As Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President, Faculty Planning, Dr. Ratner is responsible for the academic leadership of enrolment planning and management, stewardship of existing and new academic space and capital projects, and has a role in the university budget planning.

Supporting our return to campus

Following the UBC Broadcast on June 8, I would like to share more detailed information about the support and resources available to facilitate a return to campus.  Thank you to everyone who has provided feedback so far. Whether you took part in one of the recent listening sessions and town halls, or provided comments through another channel, I want to offer my gratitude for your engagement in this process.

Research in focus: Maryam S. Mirian

Maryam is a Machine Learning scientist, studying the brain and behavioural data recorded from people with Parkinson's Disease. Find out what she learned about current brain rhythms as a predictor of future behaviour.

Invitation to participate in the Intercampus Air Travel Survey

In March, the university announced the development of the Climate Action Plan 2030 (CAP 2030) for UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan, aimed at implementing strategies that will result in emissions reductions from UBC’s core operations by 2030.

Climate activists Naomi Klein and Avi Lewis join UBC

World-renowned climate activists and journalists Naomi Klein and Avi Lewis are joining the faculty at the University of British Columbia’s department of geography. “We are thrilled to welcome Naomi and Avi to UBC to advance the urgent social, political and economic changes necessary to address the climate crisis,” says Dr. Gage Averill, dean of UBC’s faculty of arts. “This is a critical moment for the future of our planet and we are committed to highlighting climate justice in all of our priorities.”

Read the latest Letter from Santa

Letter from Santa is a regular newsletter from President Santa Ono to members of the UBC community. In this issue, Santa talks plans for Fall 2021, remote work arrangements, new and renewed Canada Research Chairs, and much more.  Highlights

COVID-19: Resumption activities and updates

A message from Shelley Kayfish, Director, Campus Operations and Risk Management; Co-chair, UBC Okanagan Resumption Planning and Coordination Committee; and Prof. Michael Burgess, Associate Provost, Strategy, UBC Okanagan; Professor and Chair in Biomedical Ethics, School of Population and Public Health, UBC Faculty of Medicine; Co-chair, UBC Okanagan Resumption Planning and Coordination Committee

Sharing community values from a distance

New Office of Indigenous Strategic Initiatives supports implementation of UBC’s Indigenous Strategic Plan

New UBC Health initiative cultivates interdisciplinary research collaborations

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated some existing trends and put a spotlight on others. We are now faced with the challenge of responding to the broad effects of the pandemic. 

UBC’s Remote Work update

As previously communicated on April 14, UBC is developing an institutional plan for remote work. Our faculty and staff have shown their adaptability over the past year and we are now able to be thoughtful and innovative as we consider remote work for the longer term and begin to imagine the future workplace. This is an important and exciting moment for the university.

UBCO researchers identify best strategy to reduce human-bear conflict