Geography professor Derek Gregory has been conferred the title of Peter Wall Distinguished Professor. This distinction is reserved for scholars who are expected to have major research impact at UBC.
“Astonished, thrilled and excited – but also apprehensive: it’s a wonderful opportunity but a great responsibility too,” said Gregory, when asked about how he felt upon hearing that he had received the distinction.
Prior to being appointed as Distinguished Professor, Gregory’s exceptional teaching has also been recognized through the UBC Killam Teaching Prize and the UBC Killam Prize for Graduate Instruction. He has also lectured at Cambridge, and has been invited to present the Miliband Lecture at the London School of Economics.
“When I first came to UBC and discovered how many more lectures I was expected to give compared to Cambridge, my first reaction was panic – ‘I don’t know enough!’ It was much the same second time ’round,” said Gregory.
“Derek’s appointment is a superb accomplishment and a university-wide recognition of his global reputation,” said Dr. David Ley, head of the Department of Geography. “It is also an achievement for the Department of Geography, his base for over 20 years, and also for the Faculty of Arts. The new Chair gives a visible signal of the equal standing of Arts and Science in their important commitment to advanced study.”
- Read the media release here.
