This month, Arts faculty members are sharing their expertise on a wide array of pressing issues, from political shifts in Canada and the U.S. to the global rise of far-right movements, nuclear energy debates, and even insights on human-animal intelligence. Stay tuned as we continue to update this list with more insightful contributions from our brilliant scholars!
Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions
Protecting elections in the age of generative AI | Dr. Chris Tenove discuss the risks and potential positive uses of generative AI in elections. (UBC News)
Department of Anthropology
Food forests create a ‘sense of place’ for Bellingham college students | A 2021 UBC anthropology study showed that food forests play a role in fundamentally changing ecosystems and in making them more productive. (Cascadia Daily)
Department of History
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)
Department of Political Science
How Kamala Harris won the U.S. presidential debate against Donald Trump | Dr. Stewart Prest wrote about the recent U.S. presidential debate between Vice-President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump. (The Conversation)
The U.S. election debate is this evening | Dr. Maxwell Cameron discussed the U.S. presidential debate between Vice-President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump. (CTV News)
Presidential debate on September 10th – What you need to know | Dr. Terri Givens discussed the U.S. presidential debate between Vice-President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump. (CKNW Weekends with Scott Shantz)
Why Trudeau’s governing partner just abandoned him| Dr. Maxwell Cameron commented on Jagmeet Singh pulling out of the supply-and-confidence agreement with the federal Liberal party. (CBC News, 5:35 mark)
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump’s very different campaign strategies | Dr. Paul Quirk commented on the U.S. political party campaigns. (Newsweek)
As NDP-Liberal deal ends, what would it take to trigger an election? | Dr. Stewart Prest commented on the political impact of the New Democratic Party ending their supply-and-confidence agreement with the federal Liberal party. (Global News)
Provincial politicians deal with fallout after BC United announces it is suspending its campaign | Dr. Stewart Prest weighed in on B.C. United’s decision to suspend its campaign for this year’s provincial elections. (City News)
The troubling far-right content on BC Conservatives’ social media | Dr. Stewart Prest commented on the influence of global trends in politics. (The Tyee)
What on earth just happened with B.C.’s carbon tax? | Dr. Kathryn Harrison discussed why B.C. politicians are looking to axe the carbon tax. (Global News)
Canadian PM Trudeau weakened after main ally unexpectedly pulls support | Dr. Fred Cutler commented on New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh’s decision to pull the party out of the supply-and-confidence agreement with the federal Liberal party. (Reuters)
German far-right party make big gains in regional elections | Dr. Kurt Huebner discussed why voters in Germany are turning to far-right parties. (CBC – On the Coast)
Department of Psychology
Watch deaf and senior dog ‘taking in the scenery’ while on boat trip | Professor emeritus Dr. Stanley Coren commented on how a dog’s intelligence compares to a human’s. (Newsweek)
Department of Sociology
Oilsands workers are resistant to sustainable jobs, new research finds | PhD student Parker Muzzerall wrote about the Sustainable Jobs Act and his study on oil and gas workers in Canada. (The Conversation)
Peninsula’s centenarians are a treasure trove of memories | Professor emeritus Dr. Anne Martin Matthews commented on society’s preparedness for its aging population. (Peninsula News Review)
School of Creative Writing
Through chronic pain, a transcendent exploration of love | Professor Sarah Leavitt’s upcoming book Something, Not Nothing delves into the complexities of illness, memory, and personal healing. (The Tyee)
School of Public Policy and Global Affairs
John Rustad wants B.C. to go nuclear | Dr. M.V. Ramana explained why nuclear energy is the most expensive form of energy. (National Observer)
Why nuclear energy is not the answer | Dr. M.V. Ramana’s new book, Nuclear is Not the Solution: The Folly of Atomic Power in the Age of Climate Change, discusses why nuclear power does not help mitigate climate change. (CKNW – Mornings with Simi)
How does the carbon tax work for industries? | Professor emeritus Dr. George Hoberg commented on the carbon pricing system for industries. (ICI Radio Canada French)
Vancouver School of Economics
Canada is getting poorer when compared to its wealthy peers, data shows | Dr. Paul Beaudry commented on Canada’s GDP per capita growth in comparison to peer countries Australia, New Zealand, and the U.K. (CBC News)
Economists question Bloc demand to boost senior’s benefits, which carries $16-billion cost | Dr. Kevin Milligan commented on the Bloc Québécois’s demand to enhance seniors’ benefits. (Globe and Mail, subscription)
