Updates, news and stories

Announcing the search for a new Vice-President, Human Resources

I am pleased to announce that UBC has embarked on a search for a new Vice-President, Human Resources.Adam Charania is currently Interim Vice-President, Human Resources. He was appointed to the role in April of this year, following the departure of the former Vice-President, Marcia Buchholz.The Vice-President, Human Resources, reports to the President and has responsibility for providing strategic leadership for the Human Resources (HR) portfolio as well as the broader human resource professional community of the university.

Teaching in focus: Patrick Parra Pennefather

Patrick Parra Pennefather is an associate professor with the Faculty of Arts. Discover his passion for project-based learning and how he designs lessons that foster collaboration, communication, self-regulation, problem solving, and critical thinking.

Breathing cleaner air thanks to works of Aerosol Removing Tapestry

Applications open for the StEAR Enhancement Fund

The UBC community is invited to apply for the Strategic Equity & Anti-Racism (StEAR) Enhancement Fund this fall. A total of $300,000 is available to fund projects that advance the university's equity and anti-racism efforts. Individual or group applicants in Vancouver and the Okanagan may submit a proposal for funding between $500 to $10,000 per project. Since being launched last fall, $294,385 has been allocated across 41 community-led projects.

Challenges in partnered research: Achieving sustainability in engaged research

“Challenges in Partnered Research” is a new Q&A series by Partnering in Research that highlights individuals transforming policies, practices, and communities through collaborative research.

How changing a subject heading in UBC Library’s catalogue can support Indigenous research

Discounted monthly transit passes available for UBCO faculty and staff until Sept. 6

Reconnect with colleagues at the Welcome Back BBQ

The Welcome Back BBQ is back again this year in Vancouver and the Okanagan.  It is a chance for faculty and staff to enjoy a complementary BBQ lunch, live entertainment and build connections with colleagues and community partners.Previously a staff-only event in Vancouver, this year's BBQ will bring both faculty and staff together for the first time.The event will be held on Aug. 29 at UBC Okanagan, and on Sept. 11 at UBC Vancouver.

UBC to transition from SIS to Workday Student on Sept. 1

Starting Sept. 1, the Student Information System (SIS) will go offline and be replaced by Workday Student and switch to read-only mode. Read-only access will be removed at the end of June 2025.If you are a faculty or staff member routinely using this system, you will receive more information in the coming weeks.Find out more

Research in focus: Amir Ardestani-Jaafari

Amir is an assistant professor in the Faculty of Management. His research focuses on how theoretical math can be used to prepare for uncertainty and variability, ensuring critical systems and services – such as healthcare delivery, transportation networks or energy distribution – remain reliable even under adverse conditions.

The future of wildfire

UBC Okanagan research is helping communities build solutions for a new realityDr. Mathieu Bourbonnais is pursuing solutions to help communities predict, plan for and prevent such destructive wildfires. His low-cost, purpose-built wildfire sensors help pinpoint when forests are most susceptible to ignition.Learn more

Challenges in partnered research: The power of storytelling in collaborative research