Updates, news and stories

Santa Ono’s video address to the community

Better housing policies needed in a post-COVID world

Peter Simpson, the new Dean of UBC Okanagan’s College of Graduate Studies, is focused on finding fun in academia

An eager learner all his life, Peter Simpson decided to pursue a PhD in an area of physics that was less established and more exploratory. This led him to Western University to study electronic materials, positron annihilation and, as he puts it, “fun.” “When I first visited Western, I met with all kinds of people. And although I didn’t understand the physics they were talking about at the time, I could see they were excited about it — they were having fun, and I thought, I want to get in on that and have fun too.”

Faculty and Staff Town Hall: downtown development

A message from Ananya Mukherjee Reed, Provost and Vice-President Academic, UBC Okanagan; Philip Barker, Vice-Principal and Associate Vice-President, Research & Innovation   Join Ananya Mukherjee Reed and Phil Barker for a virtual town hall update on UBC Okanagan’s downtown Kelowna expansion.

COVID-19 — Public Health Orders updated with province-wide restrictions in effect until Dec. 7

By order and direction of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO), all individuals, places of work and businesses in BC must significantly reduce their level of social interactions and travel. The order is in effect until December 7, 2020 at midnight.

Research in focus: Farinaz Havaei

Farinaz is working on a research program that is helping the health workforce, particularly nursing professionals, provide high standards of patient care. During COVID-19, she conducted surveys with BC nurses to better support their psychological health and safety.

Update from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal

A message from Lesley Cormack, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal, UBC OkanaganThe work of faculty and staff over the past eight months has been inspiring. While the challenges of a global pandemic continue to impact our lives no matter where we are, we can be proud of our work in educating and supporting students and contributing to our communities.

Associate Provost, Academic Health Initiatives portfolio

A message from Ananya Mukherjee Reed, Provost and Vice-President, Academic, UBC Okanagan  Dear colleagues,

New Centre for Migration Studies aims to be a global leader in migration research

A new interdisciplinary Centre for Migration Studies will support innovative migration research, knowledge mobilization and teaching and learning, at UBC and internationally. Based in the Faculty of Arts and led by Antje Ellermann, the Centre will be the first migration research centre of its kind in Western Canada.

Watch the President's Leadership Forum on anti-racism and systemic inequities in higher education

The 2020 President’s Leadership Forum featured an afternoon of conversation around systemic racism and UBC’s commitment to inclusion. The discussion was led by Professor Malinda S. Smith, recently appointed Vice-Provost, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (University of Calgary), along with Dr. Ninan Abraham (UBC), Dr. Frances Henry (York University), Dr. Sheryl Lightfoot (UBC), Dr. Minelle Mahtani (UBC), and Dr. Handel Wright (UBC).  

Research at 26,000 feet

Scaling the side of a mountain in the Himalaya during a snowstorm isn’t for the faint of heart. But for Kyle Larson, it’s a situation he’s found himself in more than once. Kyle, an associate professor in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Geographic Sciences at UBC Okanagan, has visited the Nepal region to explore the Himalaya 12 times — all in the name of scholarship.