Our Arts faculty members are sharing their expertise on a diverse range of topics, from Metro Vancouver board members to liberating short stories and even the history of nuclear tests in India. Be sure to stay tuned as we continue to update this list with more fascinating insights from our brilliant faculty members!
Centre for Migration Studies
What is going on with immigration in Canada? Here’s what the data shows | Dr. Irene Bloemraad provides insight only permanent immigration and application for Canadian citizenship. (CTV News)
Department of Anthropology
What we can learn from the Inuits | Dr. Wade Davis discussed how anthropology can offer up solutions to the problems humans face today. (ABC Radio National Australia)
Department of Asian Studies
Three lessons gleaned off the rugged road up Hong Kong’s iconic Lion Rock | Dr. Helena Wu was mentioned in an article about the Lion Rock Mountain in Hong Kong. (The Straits Times)
Department of Geography
Environment Canada says it can now rapidly link high-heat weather events to climate change| Dr. Simon Donner commented on the relationship between adverse weather and climate change. (CBC News)
Naomi Klein: ‘Nobody’s perfect – but that’s not an excuse for doing nothing’ | Dr. Naomi Klein won the Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction for her bookDoppelganger: A Trip Into the Mirror World. (The Guardian)
Naomi Klein on doppelgangers, conspiracy theorists and the rise of the right | Dr. Naomi Klein discussed conspiracy theories, misinformation and her book Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World. (ABC Radio National)
Department of History
‘A history of ordinary people’: Forgotten documents discovered at one of Vancouver’s oldest family clan associations |
History professor Dr. Henry Yu, school of information professor Dr. Jennifer Douglas and university librarian Susan Parker commented on the importance of archiving. (Vancouver Sun)
Department of Philosophy
Why trying too hard can backfire on you | Dr. Edward Slingerland discussed techniques to prevent overthinking and how to let things go. (Hidden Brain Podcast)
Department of Political Science
BC United MLA defects to BC Conservatives just months before provincial election | Dr. Gerald Baier said the defection of a BC United MLA to the BC Conservatives this close to the provincial election is significant. (Global News)
Embroiled B.C. mayor seeks court order to overturn censure, sanctions | Dr. Stewart Prest commented on B.C. municipal politics. (Global News)
White Rock residents puzzled after city sets up donation box to help repair pier | Dr. Stewart Prest said municipalities have to look for other sources of funding to restore public areas like the White Rock Pier that are nice to have but are not a compulsory service. (Vancouver Sun)
Here’s how climate social scientists are finding their way in the era of climate crisis | Dr. Peter Dauvergne was quoted in an op-ed about how climate scientists are dealing with the climate crisis. (The Conversation)
Ottawa declines to release secret internal analysis of economic effects of carbon pricing | Dr. Kathryn Harrison commented on carbon pricing in Canada. (The Globe and Mail; subscription required)
How does Elenore Sturko’s departure impact the future of the B.C. United party? | Dr. Stewart Prest and professor Dr. Gerald Baier commented on the defection of a BC United MLA to the BC Conservatives. (CBC The Early Edition)
White Rock solicits donations from pier users for seismic upgrade| Dr. Stewart Prest said municipalities have to look for other sources of funding to restore public areas like the White Rock Pier that are nice to have but are not a compulsory service. (CTV News)
Should Metro Vancouver board members be elected? | Dr. Gerald Baier said being a Metro Vancouver board member pays more than being a city councillor. (Global News BC)
The global economy is more vulnerable than it seems | Dr. Yves Tiberghien co-wrote about the need to preserve the global economy. (Japan Times)
Hope, in the face of climate change. Do we deserve it? | Dr. Kathryn Harrison was mentioned in National Observer’s weekly climate newsletter, Zero Carbon. (National Observer)
B.C. premier repeats call for more federal cash, calls Ottawa’s claims ‘disingenuous’ | Dr. Gerald Baier and Dr. Stewart Prest said it’s common for provincial politicians to defer some responsibility onto the federal government, especially close to an election. (The Globe and Mail; subscription required)
Why do people switch political parties? | Dr. Gerald Baier discussed why politicians switch parties. (CKNW Weekends with Scott Shantz)
‘Democrats Abroad’ begin mobilizing American voters living in B.C. | Dr. Stewart Prest said Canadians should be aware of U.S. politics but should also try to maintain some distance from its issues. (CTV News)
Is Trudeau going to step down? | Dr. Stewart Prest discussed the Liberal Party’s unexpected loss in the Toronto-St. Paul’s riding, a stronghold they had maintained for over thirty years. (CKNW Mornings with Simi)
Does personality trump policy in politics? | Dr. Gerald Baier discussed whether too much attention is being paid to personality in modern politics. (CBC BC Today)
Department of Psychology
Why so few people feel secure about money — even when they have lots of it | Dr. Elizabeth Dunn found that comparing your income others of similar age, education and region of residence can lead to financial dissatisfaction. (Yahoo Life)
Three tips to checking email less frequently and reducing stress | Media mentioned a 2014 study by Dr. Elizabeth Dunn and former PhD student Dr. Kostadin Kushlev which explored the relationship between email management practices and stress. (Forbes)
How to throw a summer party without plastic waste | Dr. Jiaying Zhao (Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, psychology) suggested incentivizing people to reduce waste by offering a prize or incentive. (CBC What on Earth)
Department of Sociology
The state of the gay bar | An article highlights Dr. Amin Ghaziani’s new book which explores how queer, trans and racial minorities are replacing traditional nightlife with radically inclusive parties. (The Nation)
Meet the centenarians: Canada’s oldest age group is also its fastest-growing | Dr. Anne Martin-Matthews and geriatric medicine clinical professor Dr. Roger Wong discussed factors contributing to Canada’s rapidly aging population and challenges that Canadians may face as they age. (National Post)
School of Creative Writing
Cree writer Billy-Ray Belcourt delivers an instinctive, liberating short story collection | Dr. Billy-Ray Belcourt talks about his new book Coexistence, which is a collection of essays about love, loneliness and the modern Indigenous queer experience. (Vancouver Sun)
School of Economics
Why English-speakers are depressed | Dr. John Helliwell commented on increased unhappiness in English-speaking countries. (The Atlantic)
Potatoes are the perfect vegetable—but you’re eating them wrong | Dr. Nathan Nunn said potatoes can be grown in very small plots and marginal land. (WIRED)
Fiddling with taxes won’t get us to higher productivity | Dr. Kevin Milligan discussed the impact of the capital gains tax on the economy and productivity. (BNN Bloomberg)
School of Journalism, Writing, and Media
More Canadians are paying for news this year, but it’s still too early to celebrate | Dr. Alfred Hermida wrote about the trends in news subscriptions in Canada and how it affects the journalism industry. (National Post)
School of Public Policy and Global Affairs
Corruption issues loom large as Mongolia prepares to vote | Dr. Julian Dierkes commented on Mongolia’s upcoming national election. (The Diplomat)
How India’s 1974 ‘peaceful’ nuclear test in Pokhran changed the atomic energy debate | Dr. M.V. Ramana co-wrote about the history of nuclear energy use in India. (The Hindu; subscription required)
UBC study finds basic income could solve global poverty and stop environmental destruction. Is it time for Canada to have a basic income policy? | A study led by Dr. Rashid Sumaila found that providing a universal income could boost global GDP by about 130 per cent. (Spice Radio – The Morning Buzz)
UBC study says basic income could solve global poverty and fight climate change | A study led by Dr. Rashid Sumaila found that providing a universal income could boost global GDP by about 130 per cent. (CBC All Points West)
Mongolians to vote in poll dominated by corruption worries | Dr. Julian Dierkes commented on Mongolia’s upcoming national election. (Agence France Presse)
Time for N.B. Power to shop around for nuclear options, ex-CEO says | Dr. Allison Macfarlane, director of the school of public policy and global affairs, said small light-water reactors being developed for Ontario’s Darlington nuclear station are close to maturity. (CBC News)
