March 2023

Faculty of Applied Science: together with Teck Resources, the Faculty announced a $4 million investment into a new professorship focused on enhancing safety and sustainability in mine tailings management. • Dr. Kristen Haase from the School of Nursing is leading a new study about systemic discrimination experienced by older adults with cancer. • Dr. Mohammad Arjmand, together with a team of researchers from UBCO School of Engineering, is working on solutions to the 380 million tonnes of plastic waste produced globally each year • Dr. Tony Yang, UBCV Engineering, is leading new research in carbon neutral, disaster-resilient timber construction, that may be the answer to addressing Canada’s urgent housing needs and climate change commitments.

The Faculty of Arts has honoured five recipients with its new Dean of Arts Mentorship Award, celebrating Dr. Christina Laffin, Dr. Mark Turin, Dr. Mary Chapman, Dr. Patrick Moore and Dr. Tamara Mitchell for their outstanding commitment to promoting the academic and personal growth of junior colleagues, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students. Additionally, Dr. Aynur Kadir, Dr. Kay Duffy, Dr. Kimberley Huyser and Dr. Lisa Coulthard were selected as recipients of the 2022/23 Dean of Arts Faculty Research Awards. • Dr. Rashid Sumaila was co-awarded the 2023 Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement for research on the connections between fisheries and climate. • UBC Geography was ranked 7th in the world in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023.

The Faculty of Education recently released its Research Report 2020–2022, featuring the research of twelve Education scholars who embody, individually and collectively, the Faculty’s and University’s strategic research priorities, community engagement, and contributions to knowledge and social justice in relation to four broad themes. To appreciate the full breath of diversity and innovation in research in education at UBC, download the full report [PDF].

The Integrated Renewal Program is holding two call-in sessions to help UBC community members increase their understanding of the changes that will come with the launch of Workday Student. The two sessions, Student Journey Through Registration and Graduate Education Session, take place May 2 and May 30 respectively. Find out more information at irp.ubc.ca/c-events and also check out the latest blog post here.

Peter A. Allard School of Law: Though Allard Law’s new Afghan Women Judges Program, three judges from Afghanistan have recently joined the law school. Judge Bibi Wahida Rahimi accepted a two-year position as a Research Associate. Judges Freshta Masomi and Zamila Sangar accepted two-year appointments as visiting scholars with the Centre for Asian Legal Studies.

UBC Okanagan partnered with the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce for a special event on February 9 to share an insider’s view of UBCO Downtown, currently under construction in the heart of Kelowna. The event included an introduction by Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dr. Lesley Cormack and presentations by three outstanding health researchers who will be based in the new space and who are already engaged with community partners in cutting-edge research: Dr. Mary Jung from the School of Health and Exercise Sciences, who explores Type 2 diabetes prevention; Dr. Shelly Ben-David from the School of Social Work, who focuses on youth mental health and early intervention; and doctoral student Lauren Airth from the School of Nursing, who is researching drug-checking models as a way of preventing toxic drug poisonings.

Pharmaceutical Sciences: Catalyst for Change 2.0 is the Faculty’s new strategic plan that will provide direction from now through to the end of 2026. The plan will build on the Faculty’s successes and leverage unique opportunities to create lasting change in the profession and practice of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences. • The new Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences website has a fresh, updated look that makes use of the latest brand assets from UBC as well as improved accessibility features. A snapshot of latest publications, grants, and overall Faculty metrics may now be viewed on the homepage.

UBC Sauder Faculty Advisory Board Chair Warren Spitz along with his wife Maureen and their family, have donated an additional $500,000 to the Spitz Fellows Program which is aimed at enabling and supporting Indigenous women to pursue business education. Launched by the Spitz family in 2015 with a $1 million initial gift, the program was developed in consultation with UBC Sauder and Ch’nook Indigenous Business Education, and with input from Indigenous and academic communities. • Dean Darren Dahl has been awarded the top honour by the Society of Consumer Psychology for his research on creativity and social influence. He has been named a 2023 Fellow for his outstanding contributions to consumer psychology through research and service. • The Peter P. Dhillon Centre for Business Ethics and the UBC Sauder Dean’s Office congratulate the eight thought leaders who have been awarded Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Catalyst Grants for 2023. These grants provide seed funding to support research in the field of EDI.