Updates, news and stories

UBCO professor spearheads global effort to translate, analyze rare 13th century text

One of the world’s most unique and important texts—the General e grand estoria will soon be translated, analyzed and made widely available, thanks to a global endeavour led by a UBC Okanagan researcher.Dr. Francisco Peña, Professor in the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, is leading a team of international scholars in the collaborative effort to translate and digitally preserve the General estoria (GE)—the largest universal history written in Medieval Europe. 

Extension of Dr. Andrea Esteves’ appointment as Dean pro tem, Faculty of Dentistry

From Bach to beats: How UBC prof Ryan Davis is redefining the viola’s sound

Blending classical roots with the pulse of folk, electronic, and hip-hop, UBC School of Music professor Ryan Davis — known by his moniker “Radia” — is carving out a space for the viola that is both fresh and timeless. His journey as a violist and composer defies tradition, embracing a fusion of genres to breathe new life into an instrument often overshadowed in classical music.

UBC community members among new Order of Canada appointees

On June 30, 2025, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, announced 83 new appointments to the Order of Canada. We are proud that nine of the most recent appointments have ties to UBC, as faculty members and alumni.

What credit card habits reveal about Canadian households

Age, education and even regional differences influence whether people pay off their balances or fall behind, new research reveals.Drs. Khan Jahirul Islam and Julien Picault, with the UBC Okanagan Department of Economics, Philosophy and Political Science, analyzed five waves of national data from Statistics Canada’s Survey of Financial Security, from 1999 to 2019.

Register for the 2025 CTLT Summer Institute

Join the 2025 CTLT Summer Institute (Aug. 18 – 22) for practical workshops designed to support new instructors in building strong foundations for teaching and learning. Hosted each year in August, the event focuses on teaching and learning fundamentals in addition to enhancing participants' understanding of sound teaching practices and how to implement them in their teaching contexts. Workshop topics range from refining a syllabus/lesson plan to incorporating active learning and effective assessment in their teaching.

Research in focus: Doug Sladen

Name:Doug SladenMy pronouns:he/himTitle:Associate ProfessorFaculty/Department/Unit:Faculty of Medicine/School of Audiology and Speech SciencesLocation:VancouverYear I started working at UBC:2024

Jennifer Burns named 2025 CIO of the Year by CUCCIO

UBC’s Chief Information Officer and Associate Vice President, IT, Jennifer Burns has been recognized as Chief Information Officer of the Year at the 2025 Canadian Council of Chief Information Officers’ (CUCCIO) Awards. 

Dr. Elisa Baniassad appointed Academic Director of the Learning Technology Innovation Centre

Celebrating changemaking women in the Faculty of Medicine

Xwi7xwa Library hires first archivist

Staff in focus: Doris Liu

When you don’t rush through life, you end up going further" – wise words from Doris Liu, Licensing Course Representative in the Real Estate Division at UBC. Doris reminds us that a slower, more intentional approach can lead to greater fulfillment. Read more about Doris and the intentional approach she brings to her role at the university.