UBC faculty are redefining convention and innovating learning experiences for their students

In spring of 2022, we asked our teaching faculty to tell us who among them were offering innovative learning experiences, environments, and/or introducing new ways of overcoming barriers in their classes. In this six-part series, we've explored a few of their stories.

Accounting. Marketing. Leadership. Lego?
How Dr. Kari Marken challenges her Creativity students with purposeful play

Kari teaches an MBA course at UBC Sauder called "Creativity" and takes a very unconventional approach in her classroom. Learn more about how Kari disrupts traditional thinking and teaching to empower students to think differently about the creative process, problem-solving, and their career journeys.

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Science at the crossroads of creativity and ethics
Dr. Robin Young looks at cell biology through a lens of ethics, diversity and inclusion

Robin is an assistant professor of teaching in the Department of Biology at UBC Okanagan and takes an innovative approach towards teaching. Find out how she redefines conventional perceptions of cell biology and encourages her students to question injustices in scientific research.

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Necessity is the mother of a delicious invention
Gerry Kasten and Joel Barohn are breaking down barriers and redefining how students learn to cook at UBC

Gerry and Joel are co-educators in dietetics, cooking, and food theory with UBC’s Faculty of Land and Food Systems. Find out how a shift in traditional thinking inspired a new and innovative approach to teaching cooking amidst a global pandemic.

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A ‘quiet rumbling’ that led to a visible focus on student humanity
How Katie Lee Bunting’s shift towards values-based teaching transcends the confines of traditional thinking

Katie is an assistant professor in the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. Learn more about her innovative approach to teaching, and why she is focused on breaking down traditional structures and encouraging students to learn in nature.

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Making the case for open-access law texts
Dr. Samuel Beswick has created Canada’s first online open-access casebook

Samuel is an assistant professor at the Peter A. Allard School of Law. Learn more about his efforts to redefine convention and expand access to learning resources by making them freely available to students and the public.

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Co-creating a future beyond the classroom
How Dr. Su-Jan Yeo emboldens students to turn urban planning ideas into real-world outcomes

Su-Jan is a sessional lecturer in the School of Community and Regional Planning. Find out how she is changing the learning game and helping students apply theories and concepts to influence local projects.