Updates, news and stories

People’s moral values change with the seasons

A new UBC study has revealed regular seasonal shifts in people’s moral values.The finding has potential implications for politics, law and health—including the timing of elections and court cases, as well as public response to a health crisis.Learn more

Putting accessibility at the centre of climate action

For the 22 per cent of Canadians living with a disability, climate change amplifies the challenges many of them encounter on a daily basis, while introducing an array of new ones.

Deep diving with elephant seals offers unique insights into human health

Province of BC adopts amended Land Use Plan for the UBC Vancouver campus

The Province of BC has adopted an amended Land Use Plan for the UBC Vancouver campus, enabling the university to begin implementing the ideas, policies and strategies developed with the community through the Campus Vision 2050 process.

UBC super-black wood can improve telescopes, optical devices and consumer goods

Thanks to an accidental discovery, researchers at UBC have created a new super-black material that absorbs almost all light, opening potential applications in fine jewellery, solar cells and precision optical devices.  Dr. Philip Evans and PhD student Kenny Cheng were experimenting with high-energy plasma to make wood more water-repellent, like a lotus leaf. However, when they applied the technique to the cut ends of wood cells, the surfaces turned extremely black.  

Apply for the Vancouver Workplace Wellbeing Ambassador program by Aug. 19

The Workplace Wellbeing Ambassador program helps drive wellbeing and wellbeing practices at UBC and is a key strategic priority for the university. Faculty and staff at UBC Vancouver who are interested in championing this initiative within their area of the university are invited to submit an application. Applications to the program are open until Aug. 19.The program aims to:

Announcing the 2024 recipients of the alumni UBC Achievement Awards

The alumni UBC Achievement Awards recognize excellence, leadership, and innovation in achievements and contributions to the social, cultural, and economic wellbeing of society, which positively reflect on the university.This year, three current faculty members were recognized for their endeavours: 

Teaching in focus: Richard Wong

Richard, a sessional lecturer in the UBC Sauder Accounting Program, believes that a successful educator wears many hats. To make learning income tax and accounting more engaging for his students, he incorporates gamification, real-world practice opportunities, and even humour in his non-traditional classroom.

Why your kids should take risks while playing outdoors this summer

Meet the spring recipients of UBC’s 2024 Partnership Recognition and Exploration Fund

This year, the Partnership Recognition and Exploration (PRE) Fund opened in May and has already provided funding for 16 community-university projects in Vancouver and the Okanagan. This fund aims to boost collaboration and relationship building, as well as empower community partners to build reciprocal relationships with UBC students, faculty, and staff.   

The carbon costs of the construction industry

When it comes to climate change, it’s easy to believe that the burning of fossil fuels is mainly responsible for high global carbon emissions. We’re told we need to drive less, fly less and generally rely less on the non-renewable energy sources that have sustained our society’s way of life for over a century.

Staff in focus: Alia Januwalla

Alia, a learning and development specialist with the Knowledge Exchange, helps researchers, staff, and students develop and share the social impact of their research. Find out why her work is guided by the quote "Nothing about us, without us," which is used by disability rights activists to promote people-centred solutions.