Arts in the Media: October 2023

From insights into B.C.’s fall legislative session and Canada’s high interest rates, to the importance of coral reefs, Arts faculty are sharing their expertise in the media this October. Check back in as we update this list throughout the month.

First Nations and Indigenous Studies

Author concerned about ‘chilling effect’ on B.C. after book on residential schools temporarily banned in U.S. | Dr. Daniel Heath Justice (and education professor Dr. Shannon Leddy) commented on the ban on Indigenous books in Canada and the U.S.  (CBC News)

Department of Anthropology

Ancient pots hold clues about how diverse diets helped herders thrive in southern Africa | Dr. Courtneay Hopper wrote about herding and pottery in the early first millennium AD in Africa. (The Conversation)

The Internet is thirsty for Twilight—again | Anthropology graduate student Sydney Dawson discussed how Gen Z is more critical of movies they watched in their childhood, like Twilight, as they grow older. (WIRED)

Department of French, Hispanic and Italian Studies

Axes of the Latin-Canadian academic community | Dr. Ramón (Arturo) Antonio Victoriano-Martinez and lecturer of Spanish Dr. Maria Carbonetti discussed their courses. (Radio-Canada, Spanish)

Department of Geography

Opinion: How clouds protect coral reefs, but will not be enough to save them from us | Dr. Simon Donner co-authored an op-ed about the importance of coral reefs and the danger they face from climate change. (The Conversation)

Opinion: In Gaza and Israel, side with the child over the gun | Dr. Naomi Klein commented on the Israel-Palestine conflict. (The Guardian)

2023 on track to be the hottest year as September smashes records | Dr. Simon Donner discussed new data that showed September 2023 was the hottest ever recorded. (CNN)

Mistaken identity sends Naomi Klein down attention economy rabbit hole in new book | Dr. Naomi Klein discussed political doppelgangers, those who appropriate, mimic or co-opt political ideologies as their own, in her new book Doppelganger: A Trip Into the Mirror World. (Vancouver Sun)

Study: Despite armed conflicts, Indigenous lands have better environment quality | Dr. Philippe Le Billon commented on a study which found that Indigenous lands affected by conflict have better environmental quality than non-Indigenous lands not facing conflict. (Mongabay)

He warned Canada about climate change but says, ‘we’ve failed big time’ | Dr. Graeme Wynn commented on the work of Dr. David Suzuki, a Canadian scientist and environmental activist.  (New York Times)

Department of Philosophy

What Vancouver could look like with artificial companions | Dr. Madeleine Ransom discussed intimate relationships between humans and artificial intelligence. (Vancouver is Awesome)

Department of Political Science

Latest in Israel Hamas conflict | Dr. Hani Faris commented on the Israel-Palestine conflict. (Global News)

Fall sitting begins at B.C. Legislature, with 4 official parties now in the chamber | Dr. Stewart Prest commented on the start of the B.C. fall legislature session. (CBC News)

B.C.’s fall legislative session resumes Tuesday with four official parties | Dr. Gerald Baier commented on B.C.’s partisan politics. (Vancouver Sun)

As a democracy, Israel should exercise restraint |Dr. Michael Byers commented on the Israel-Palestine conflict. (Globe and Mail)

Ron DeSantis—remember him? | Dr. Paul Quirk commented on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign. (Newsweek)

Countdown begins with 1 year to next B.C. provincial election | Dr. Gerald Baier commented on B.C.’s partisan politics and the upcoming provincial election. (Global News)

America’s left is tearing itself apart | Dr. Paul Quirk commented on American politicians’ response to the Israel-Palestine conflict. (Newsweek)

Tracking the gold rush in the sky | Dr. Michael Byers co-authored a new study which investigated satellite congestion in space. (The Tyee)

Department of Psychology

If you feel like time is flying by as you get older, you’re not alone. | Dr. Todd Handy explained why older people feel that time is going by faster than when they were younger.  (Insider)

What exactly makes someone a dog person? | Psychology professor emeritus Dr. Stanley Coren discussed common personality traits in dog lovers. (The Guardian)

The case for unconditional cash transfers | Dr. Jiaying Zhao led a study which found that unhoused people are more likely to spend a lump sum of money on rent, food, housing, transit and clothes, despite public perception otherwise. (MSNBC The Chris Hayes Podcast)

Camera ready dog saying ‘cheese’ on command delights internet| Dr. Stanley Coren’s research is mentioned for claiming that dogs have an intelligence level close to a child of about two years old. (Newsweek)

Cigarette butts remain Vancouver’s most littered item — and a seemingly unsolvable waste problem | Dr. Jiaying Zhao said social signage should nudge people to dispose of cigarette butts properly. (CBC News via The Weather Network)

Department of Sociology

Opinion: What does it mean to be a ‘daddy’? | Dr. Tony Silva wrote about the internet term “daddy” which is used to refer to older men outside of a parental context. (The Conversation)

Changing ‘Welfare Wednesday’ could save lives. Why haven’t we done it? | Dr. Lindsey Richardson co-authored studies which investigated the effect of “Welfare Wednesday,” the day in the middle of the month when people living in poverty receive their monthly income assistance from the government, on people living in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. (The Tyee)

Mothers still more likely to be called first even when fathers are listed as primary contact at schools | Dr. Neil Guppy commented on the share of domestic labour between men and women. (Globe and Mail)

Why is BC banning drug use in public spaces? | Dr. Lindsey Richardson discussed the ban of drug use in public spaces and drug decriminalization in B.C. (The Big Story)

How organizations can address toxic workplace cultures to tackle sexual harassment | Dr. Jennifer Berdahl and co-authors wrote about strategies to better handle sexual harassment in the workplace. (The Conversation)

Department of Theatre and Film 

Will artificial intelligence drive the film industry out of Vancouver? | Dr. Patrick Parra Pennefather discussed the use of artificial intelligence in the film industry. (Vancouver is Awesome)

School of Social Work

‘Heart work’: Indigenous youth use their voices to support their communities | Dr. Richard Vedan said there’s no one-size-fits-all description of how Indigenous youth are feeling today.  (Vancouver Sun)

School of Public Policy and Global Affairs

Ecuador, reeling from violence, seeks change. Is a banana heir the answer? | Dr. Grace Jaramillo commented on Ecuador’s current political landscape. (The New York Times)

Opinion: We must oppose Indian Hindu nationalist forces in Canada | Dr. M.V. Ramana co-wrote about Hindu nationalists in Canada. (Toronto Star)

India tells Canada to withdraw dozens of diplomatic staff | Vina Nadjibulla commented on Canada’s allegations against India. (Financial Times; subscription required)

Poilievre says Trudeau soured India relations, as Modi government laments Liberals | Vina Nadjibulla commented on Canada-India relations. (CTV News)

Nuclear energy’s role in the climate change era remains uncertain | Dr. Allison Macfarlane said there are some uncertainties around the use of small modular reactors for energy. (Globe and Mail)

Vancouver School of Economics

Central bankers think interest rates are going to stay high for a long time. Not everyone is convinced | Dr. Paul Beaudry commented on high interest rates in Canada. (Globe and Mail; subscription required)