Our Arts faculty members are sharing their knowledge and expertise on a wide range of topics, including spontaneity, Vancouver politics, and the decline of the online dating industry. Stay tuned for more fascinating insights from our brilliant faculty members as we regularly update this list!
Centre for Migration Studies
What a second Trump presidency could mean for Canada’s economy | Dr. Irene Bloemraad predicts the potential impacts of trump administration policies on Canadian immigration. (Business in Vancouver)
How a Kamala Harris presidency could affect Canada| Dr. Irene Bloemraad, co-director of the Centre for Migration Studies, commented on the impact of U.S. immigration policies on Canada. (Business in Vancouver)
Department of Anthropology
TikTok tourists slammed over ‘real-life Temple Run’ trend | Media referenced a UBC anthropology study which modelled the population of Angkor Wat. (Daily Mail)
Department of Asian Studies
Bangladeshis in Vancouver react to PM’s downfall after protests | Parboti Roy commented on theresignation of Bangladesh’s prime minister Sheikh Hasina. (CBC News)
Department of Geography
B.C. migrant workers suffering through ‘excessively hot conditions,’ study finds| Drs. Mohammed Rafi Arefin and Geraldine Pratt co-authored a study which found that migrant workers are working and living in extreme heat conditions not compliant with regulations. (National Observer)
Employers given heads up in 70% of migrant worker housing inspections | Geography researchers conducted a study which found that migrant workers are working and living in extreme heat conditions not compliant with regulations. (National Observer)
Department of Philosophy
How to be more spontaneous as a busy adult | Dr. Edward Slingerland said trying new things can help you to be more spontaneous. (TIME)
Department of Political Science
‘Seeking to avoid scrutiny?’ Vancouver council suspension of integrity commissioner’s work puzzles observers | Dr. Stewart Prest said Vancouver council’s decision to suspend the integrity commissioner’s work will not only have a detrimental effect on holding public officials accountable, it will also erode public trust. (Vancouver Sun)
Canada takes cautious approach to Venezuelan vote as U.S. backs Maduro’s opponent | Dr. Maxwell Cameron said Canada is taking a cautious approach to the political situation in Venezuela. (The Hill Times; subscription required)
B.C. NDP gave Conservatives time to take-off: Political scientist | Dr. Stewart Prest commented on B.C. partisan politics. (Today in BC)
Vancouver School Board chair resigns from ABC citing integrity commissioner turmoil | Dr. Stewart Prest commented on the resignation of the Vancouver School Board chair from the ABC party. (CityNews Vancouver)
Two months until the provincial election | Dr. Stewart Prest discussed how B.C.’s provincial election is shaping up. (CBC On The Coast)
Is pessimism in the status quo driving younger voters to vote Conservative? | Dr. Stewart Prest discussed why Canada’s younger voters are changing their political affiliation. (CKNW Jas Johal Show)
Is ‘The Squad’ suddenly falling apart? | Dr. Paul Quirk commented on relationships within theU.S. Democratic Party. (Newsweek)
B.C.’s unofficial election campaign is in full swing | Dr. Stewart Prest commented on B.C.’s upcoming election. (CBC News)
Online threats and a hangman’s noose: How do B.C.’s local governments deal with toxicity?| Dr. Stewart Prest noted the need for balance in helping local governments manage criticism while addressing the issue of personal and defamatory attacks. (Vancouver Sun)
Campaign matters, but economy won’t drive B.C. vote: political analyst |Dr. Stewart Prest noted that broad economic questions like B.C.’s budget will not replace crucial issues, including affordability, in the upcoming provincial election. (Kelowna Capital News)
B.C. United’s collapse hinged on 2 decisions, analysts say | Dr. Stewart Prest commented on B.C. United’s decision to suspend its campaign for this year’s provincial elections. (CBC News)
Department of Psychology
Can happiness be taught? Academics who hope to answer that have found reasons to smile | Dr. Elizabeth Dunn and graduate student found that activities people associate with happiness lack scientific evidence to prove they actually boost your mood. (The Globe and Mail; subscription required)
People’s moral values literally change with the weather | Psychology researchers reveal that people’s embrace of certain moral values fluctuates depending on the time of year. (Earth.com)
Can the changing seasons affect your moral values? UBC researchers seem to think so | Dr. Mark Schaller co-authored a study which revealed that people’s embrace of certain moral values fluctuates depending on the time of year. (CBC On The Coast)
How scientists have discovered the astonishing masterminds of the animal kingdom | Dr. Stanley Coren was mentioned for his research which found that the average dog has an intelligence equivalent to that of a two-year-old human. (Daily Mail)
Laughter at dog’s reaction to discovering neighbors are back from vacation | A 2013 study led by Dr. Stanley Coren researched the level of dogs’ happiness in relation to the quality of social interactions. (Newsweek)
Department of Sociology
Think book clubs are boring? These modern versions are flipping the script | Dr. Clayton Childress said that growing interest in book clubs is good for society. (CBC News)
‘Out of control’: How tipping culture has evolved since the pandemic | Dr. Amy Hanser said tipping is a messy practice that brings with it social judgment for the customer and the staff. (Guelph Today)
School of Economics
Breaking up with dating apps | Dr. Marina Adshade discussed the crash of the online dating industry. (The Globe and Mail Lately Podcast)
Justin Trudeau’s Liberals blamed spiking inflation on global factors, but now take credit for its slowdown. Here’s what’s actually going on | Dr. Kevin Milligan commented on the impact of Canada’s federal budget on inflation. (Toronto Star)
School of Journalism, Writing, and Media
The cost of doing business: Why bribery is still all around us | Dr. Peter Klein wrote about the prevalence of bribery in politics and business worldwide. (The Globe and Mail)
School of Music
UBC professor ranks every Disney musical song to create a top tune playlist | Dr. Robert Komaniecki discussed his ranking of every song in the Disney animated film library. (Vancouver Sun)
School of Public Policy and Global Affairs
Is nuclear energy the solution to the climate crisis? | Dr. M.V. Ramana discussed key insights from his new book, Nuclear is Not the Solution: The Folly of Atomic Power in the Age of Climate Change. (CKNW Jas Johal Show)
Nuclear power on the prairies is a green smokescreen| Dr. M.V. Ramana and alumnus Quinn Goranson wrote that relying on new nuclear technology for emissions reductions prevents phasing out fossil fuels at a necessary pace. (National Observer)
The European boats fishing under a veil of secrecy| Dr. Rashid Sumaila commented on the impacts of foreign vessels fishing in African waters. (Financial Times; subscription required)
Coral bleaching is not only heartbreaking, it’s also bad economics| Dr. Rashid Sumaila co-wrote about the economic benefits of protecting the Great Barrier Reef. (The Conversation)
UK’s fight against far-right hate goes online, but does it go too far? | Dr. Heidi Tworek (department of history, school of public policy and global affairs) discussed the online and offline causes of disinformation. (The Christian Science Monitor)
