UBC Arts experts are helping to shape national conversations on some of Canada’s most pressing political and social issues. This month, faculty shared insights on topics such as foreign interference in elections, housing affordability, immigration, and democratic resilience—appearing in media outlets including The Conversation, CBC, The National Post, and more.
Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions (SPPGA)
Foreign interference threats in Canada’s federal election are both old and new
Professor Heidi Tworek and Chris Tenove of UBC’s Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions co-wrote a piece for The Conversation examining the long history of foreign interference in Canada’s elections, and what to watch for in the upcoming federal election.
The Conversation
Surprises and old patterns: AI and misinformation in the 2025 federal election campaign
Professor Heidi Tworek warns that misinformation may be circulating in private channels and comments on attempts to raise public awareness about the rise of AI-generated misinformation and disinformation.
CTV News
Threats of Disinformation during election
Professor Heidi Tworek, director of the Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions, spoke to CTV News about how Canadians can shield themselves from disinformation during the Canadian federal election.
CTV News
Department of Geography
Study challenges claims foreign buyer taxes are racist
A study co-authored by UBC Geography professor emeritus David Ley rejects claims that restrictions on foreign capital in real estate are xenophobic, and warns that a developer-driven “growth machine” is reshaping Canada’s housing affordability narrative.
Business in Vancouver
Department of Sociology
Housing Scarcity & High Rents Change Living Dynamics
Professor Nathanael Lauster spoke about the lifestyle impacts of housing scarcity and high rents.
CTV News
Department of Psychology
4 actions to support a sustainable democracy: No heroism required
UBC Psychology professor emeritus Wolfgang Linden wrote about how simple, psychology-informed actions can bolster democracy.
The Conversation
Department of Political Science
Deputy leader of the Green Party of Canada given 51 days in prison
UBC political science professor emeritus Richard Johnston commented on how Angela Davidson’s sentence might reinforce her appeal as an environmental activist.
Times Colonist
Poilievre Promises LNG Canada Approval. There’s Just One Hitch
UBC political science lecturer Stewart Prest spoke about how political rhetoric, particularly in populist narratives, can distort facts in misleading ways, urging voters to critically evaluate such claims and seek out reliable information.
The Tyee
B.C.’s ridings look different this federal election. Here’s how that shakes things up
UBC political science lecturer Stewart Prest says the redrawn political boundaries will reshape campaign strategies and political calculations.
CBC
B.C. MLA criticized for western separatist post says he is a proud Canadian
UBC political science lecturer Stewart Prest discusses the emergence of western alienation and separatism after a Conservative MLA shared a western separatist post on Facebook.
Maple Ridge News
Vancouver School of Economics
How immigration is concealing Canada’s economic crisis
VSE professor Paul Beaudry commented on Canada’s shrinking per-capita GDP and how to drive innovation to support long-term growth.
National Post
