30-second bio: David McAtackney

Name:

David McAtackney

My pronouns:

he/him

Title:

Research and Engagement Strategist

Department/Unit:

Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre (IRSHDC), Faculty of Arts

Location:

Vancouver

Year I started working at UBC:

2012

Describe what you do at UBC in 10 words or less:

Historical and archival research related to Indigenous and colonial issues.

What is the best thing about your work/role at UBC?

I would say the best thing is the opportunity to work with such an interesting and rich variety of people, subjects, and materials. The scope of the Centre’s research goes far beyond just residential schools, into the wider colonial system and history, so you get to meet people from multifarious backgrounds and disciplines, and to work with different mediums of materials. 

What trait do you most admire in others?

Integrity. There are many traits that are important, but I really admire an honest person who possesses a strong moral and ethical code.

What do you do regularly to invest in your mental and/or physical health?

For me, it is running – it is not just good for your physical health, it is also great for your mental health, especially good to shake off the effects of work fatigue. Running gives me time to think and often I come back to work after a long run with a fresh perspective.