It’s back to school to time and many students, who will be meeting new friends, teachers and professors, may be wondering if making a good first impression really matters. New UBCO research, says yes it does.

The first day of school is just around the corner and many people—from Kindergartners to teens and first-year university students—may be feeling the pressure of that first day. That nervous feeling is not just for students—this year many teachers and university professors will be teaching in-person classes for the first time since the pandemic began in 2020.

Associate Professor Lauren Human teaches in UBC Okanagan’s Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. She is the Director of UBCO’s Social Interaction and Perception Lab where her team investigates interpersonal relationships. The researchers consider what psychological, social and biological factors promote accurate impressions, and the consequences if that first impression goes poorly.

Dr. Human’s most recent study, published this month in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science, examined first impressions. Simply put, while many people are told to be themselves, does that work?

And is it good to be seen as one’s true self?

What is the most important thing about making a good first impression?

This likely depends on how you define a good first impression. But, in our research we often look at what predicts being liked in first impressions—as this can promote smooth interactions and friendship formation. We find there are at least two important factors. The first is pretty straightforward. If people think you have a positive, desirable personality—you are very nice, reliable and creative—people tend to like you more. So, not surprisingly, it’s good to be seen positively.

However, we also find that it is just as important to be seen accurately—in line with what makes you unique or different from others. Across several studies, we have found that seeing a new classmate’s personality more accurately is related to liking that person more immediately and over an extended time.

Being seen accurately seems to have social benefits. But is this something people can control?

This was the focus of my lab’s most recent publication. We wanted to know whether the popular advice to “be yourself” actually works. That is, can people control how much they are being themselves in a first impression and allow others to see them more accurately?

It turns out that they can. People who were asked to be themselves during a videotaped interview ended up being seen more accurately by unacquainted observers who later watched their videos.

We also wondered if these instructions would have any influence—good or bad—on being liked. In this study, we did not find that those who were trying to be themselves were liked more, but they also weren’t liked less, so there doesn’t appear to be downsides to following this advice. And given the benefits of being seen accurately in more naturalistic settings, such as among new classmates, it seems possible that trying to be oneself could help people form stronger social connections.

If you have poor self-esteem, should you really “be yourself” while making a first impression?

We did look at the role of self-esteem in the above study—both whether people with lower self-esteem had a harder time following the advice to “be themselves” and if attempting to do so had negative effects on being liked. We did not find evidence for either.

This is interesting, because people with lower self-esteem tend to be seen less accurately in first impressions. Our study was encouraging as it suggests if people with low self-esteem want to be seen more accurately, they may be able to be themselves.

Does it matter how accurately people perceive us?

It does seem to matter, both for liking and our wellbeing. Despite the exceptions noted above, being seen accurately does seem to have benefits for being liked in early relationships, as well as for quality in longer-term relationships such as romantic ones. In addition, being seen accurately is also strongly linked to wellbeing. In other words, people who tend to be seen more accurately report greater happiness.

What’s the best tip for the first day of school?

From my point of view, I think the benefits of being oneself will often outweigh the occasional downsides. I would encourage people to be themselves that first day of school, or anytime they are making a first impression. If in doubt, a safe bet is to not just be your usual self—the person you are at home alone on the couch—but to be your best self—the person you are on date night or when you are in an especially good mood.

The post First impressions: Is it a good idea to be yourself? appeared first on UBC Okanagan News.

The next Roger W. Gale Symposium in Philosophy, Politics and Economics will focus on whether individual freedoms should be limited in order to stabilize the global climate.

What: Roger W. Gale Symposium in Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Who: Expert panel including keynote speaker Michael Ignatieff, Ed Dolan, John Dryzek, Kathryn Harrison, William Rees, Meghan Robinson, Marlowe Sam and Andrew Weaver
When: Tuesday, April 12–Individual and panel sessions between 9 am and 6:30 pm PST
Where: Zoom webinar

With the increase in wildfires, flooding and other natural disasters, it is evident that the state of the global climate is shifting. Humans are directly impacted by the adverse changes in their environment—yet continue activities that put the climate at risk.

Individual choices—especially those that emit heat-trapping gases—are a catalyst for the disruption in the current state, should they be limited? If the answer is yes—who would be limited and how?

On Tuesday, April 12, the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences‘ Department of Economics, Philosophy and Political Science at UBC Okanagan presents A Wicked Problem: Individual Freedoms and Climate Change. The event will explore if constraining human choices can promote climate stability. A panel of subject-matter experts—including keynote speaker Michael Ignatieff—will take the virtual stage to explore this topic in individual and panel sessions.

Dr. Johannus Janmaat, event organizer and Associate Professor of Economics, says the symposium comes at a crucial time when there is a shortcoming in the efforts for climate stability.

“On April 4, 2022, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released the third component of its latest assessment, pointing out that the nations of the world have done far less than promised to reduce climate change,” he states. “Why? Are the people of the world simply not willing to sacrifice their own freedoms now to reduce the chance of a less livable future?”

The Roger W. Gale Symposium is a series of events focusing on current issues that overlap multiple disciplines. Its goal is to bring together the academic and public worlds for a fruitful dialogue with subject-matter experts.

This virtual event is free and open to all, with online pre-registration required.

To register, or learn more about the lineup of speakers, visit: epp.ok.ubc.ca/about/freedomsandclimatechange

The post Should individual choice be restricted to preserve the climate? appeared first on UBC Okanagan News.

On Wednesday, March 30, top student debaters will argue whether the Emergencies Act is justifiably used to quell civil disobedience.

What: The Roger Watts Debate: Be it resolved that the Emergencies Act is justifiably used to quell civil disobedience.
Who: Top UBCO student debaters
When: Wednesday, March 30 beginning at 5:30 pm
Where: Zoom webinar

As concerns around issues like free speech and freedom rise amongst Canadians, UBC Okanagan student debaters will square off in a provoking and timely debate on the use of governmental power: Be it resolved that the Emergencies Act is justifiably used to quell civil disobedience.

“Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s use of the Emergencies Act triggered strong, sometimes extreme reactions even beyond our national borders. This issue is top-of-mind and has been generating global attention,” says event organizer Dr. Julien Picault, Associate Professor of Teaching in Economics. “It is a good example of how polarized views directly affect our lives and why we need more civil conversations and debates.”

On Wednesday, March 30, the community is invited to watch as top student debaters argue their case before a panel of local judges who will then decide the winners.

Prizes of $1,000 will be awarded to first-place, while runners-up will win $500. Student participants will also have the opportunity to compete for the People’s Choice Award, with $500 up for grabs.

The Roger Watts Debate is a partnership of the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences’ Department of Economics, Philosophy and Political Science and a community advisory committee. The annual event provides a public forum to debate important issues of the day and is named after the late Roger Watts, a respected member of the Okanagan’s legal community, a skilled orator and strong advocate.

This virtual event is free and open to all, with online pre-registration required.

To register, visit: epp.ok.ubc.ca/about/roger-watts-debate

The post Should government invoke laws to end public defiance? appeared first on UBC Okanagan News.

As many current and former tobacco users can attest — kicking the habit is easier said than done.

However, a recent study published in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment has identified an unintended benefit of medical cannabis use for some who also use tobacco — they’re reaching for nicotine less often.

A research team led by Dr. Philippe Lucas, CEO of I2E Research, alongside Dr. Zach Walsh, a psychology professor in the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, analyzed self-report survey data from 2,100 medical cannabis users, 650 of whom identified as current or former tobacco consumers.

According to Drs. Lucas and Walsh, the results were impressive.

“We found that 49 per cent of current and former tobacco users report their tobacco consumption has decreased since they started using cannabis therapeutically,” says Dr. Lucas. “Additionally, 24 per cent reported zero tobacco use in the 30 days preceding the survey — these are significant reductions in the context of smoking cessation.”

Though the use of cannabis instead of more dangerous substances, like opioids, is actively being studied, Dr. Walsh says this study is one of the first focussing on cannabis as a tobacco substitution.

“It’s all about looking at these things through a public health lens, and similar to opioids, tobacco is much more dangerous than cannabis, at least from a lung health perspective” he says.

“We’ve been so focussed on understanding the risks of cannabis legalization that we sometimes forget to look at the benefits, too. We know legalization makes cannabis use more mainstream but we don’t know how that might impact how people are using it? If they’re stacking it on top of other drugs, there may not be a health benefit, but if they’re using it in lieu of more harmful substances, you start to understand why legalization makes sense from a harm reduction perspective.”

While the study results have proved promising, Dr. Walsh points out that the idea of using cannabis as a smoking cessation tool is very much in its infancy.

“There’s a lot more research to be done here, but if further studies confirm what we’ve found, I think cannabis could work for some as a transitionary smoking cessation tool in the future.”

Dr. Walsh acknowledges the concept may seem far-fetched to some, but he’s hoping these study results serve as a jumping off point to start conversations and increase research in the area.

“I think we need to work on reconceptualizing the role cannabis can play in our lives,” says Dr. Walsh. “Quitting tobacco is hard, and the consequences of not quitting are dire — so I think the more options we can provide for folks, the better.”

Undergraduate degree taught in Nsyilxcn the first of many to come, degree organizers say

UBC’s Okanagan campus, located in the territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation, is set to become the first university in Canada to offer a bachelor’s degree in Indigenous language fluency.

The Bachelor of Nsyilxcn Language Fluency (BNLF) program, created in collaboration with the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) and the En’owkin Centre, is designed to work closely with the community to provide a comprehensive and high-quality education in Nsyilxcn—the language spoken by members of the Syilx Okanagan Nation—and to promote new, fluent speakers with a deep understanding of the language, culture, and customs.

“The idea that there’s only knowledge in English or French is absolutely not true,” says Dr. Jeannette Armstrong, associate professor of Indigenous Studies at UBC Okanagan and academic lead on the BNLF. “Language is identity. Indigenous knowledge systems and an Indigenous paradigm—how we view the world and how we interact—is deeply rooted in language.”

She adds that the transfer of Indigenous ideas and consciousness can only happen through the knowledge systems that are resident in the language.

“We hope to help foster a revitalization of the Nsyilxcn language in our communities and to see it spread across all domains of community life,” says Dr. Armstrong. “This is an important step in acting on Indigenous peoples’ rights to develop and transmit their languages, knowledge, and oral traditions.”

Dr. Jeannette Armstrong, associate professor of Indigenous Studies at UBC Okanagan.

According to Dr. Armstrong, UBC Okanagan is the first in Canada and one of the first in the world to offer a degree program in an Indigenous language, something she says is a testament to UBC’s commitments to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) Calls to Action.

As part of the University of British Columbia’s own response to the TRC’s Calls to Action, UBC Okanagan signed a declaration in 2019 that specifies action on five recommendations developed by its Aboriginal Advisory Committee. One of those five commitments was to develop activities that support the revitalization of Indigenous language fluency.

“To study in your language and your knowledge systems, which many English speakers take for granted, is not there for Indigenous peoples,” she says. “UBC Okanagan is at the cutting edge in making that breakthrough—it’s a powerful statement of reconciliation.”

The four-year Bachelor of Nsyilxcn Language Fluency (BNLF) will see students complete the first two in a certificate and diploma program in Nsyilxcn Language Fluency from NVIT and finish the last two at UBC Okanagan in the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. It will feature a mix of on campus, classroom learning and work directly with the community.

The BNLF is the product of the Indigenous Language Proficiency and Fluency Degree Framework Partnership—a collaboration between the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC), the Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association (IAHLA) and the Language Fluency Degree Consortium (LFDC). The framework is designed to create a province-wide, Indigenous language fluency degree programs that reflect and embed the culturally distinct requirements of the Indigenous community and Indigenous post-secondary institute partners.

“We congratulate En’owkin Centre and the University of British Columbia for their ground-breaking work in bringing the vision of a First Nation fluency degree to fruition,” says Dr. Verna Billy Minnabarriet, vice-president of strategic partnerships at NVIT and chair of IAHLA. “With this new degree we are creating a supportive and responsive mechanism that First Nations can use and adapt to meet their needs to produce fluent speakers of their languages.”

Tyrone McNeil, president of FNESC, agrees.

“The Nsyilxcn Language Fluency Degree aligns with the framework that we have been collectively developing over many years and we are confident that its implementation across the province will advance the Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education and Training Policy Framework, the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” he says. “It exemplifies how a respectful and impactful partnership between First Nations, Indigenous institutes, and post-secondary institutions, can advance language revitalization and help develop the next generation of fluent language teachers.

The BC Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training provided $2 million towards the Indigenous Language Proficiency and Fluency Degree Framework for six communities and First Nations-mandated institutes to partner with post-secondary institutions to develop and deliver language degrees.

“This degree is an important achievement at a critical time,” said Anne Kang, minister of advanced education and skills training. “It’s an act of reconciliation and I congratulate the Syilx Nation, the En’owkin Centre, Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, UBC Okanagan, and all the Elders, Knowledge Keepers, speakers and students who have made this possible. Thank you for your work to protect and restore the linguistic heritage of the Syilx/Okanagan People and be the first to work within this new framework designed to support and revive first languages.”

With the BNLF degree representing years of effort by a large number of partners, Dr. Armstrong is quick to point out the support they receive from individual Nsyilxcn speakers in the community.

“We’re grateful for the support from each of the seven communities we’re working with,” she says. “The program relies on the fluent speakers and knowledge keepers, as well as the cultural context of those communities.”

Dr. Armstrong explains that the program piloted last year in three communities and that there are already 15 students set to graduate from the NVIT certificate. Many of them have expressed an interest in continuing their studies with UBC Okanagan when it accepts its first incoming class in September 2021.

“This is an exciting time in the history of our campus and for the relationship we’ve developed with Nsyilxcn speakers throughout the Okanagan,” she says.

“My hope is that this is the first of many more B.C. Indigenous language programs – to come, and that we will be able to expand our collaborations to include other Interior Salishan Languages here at UBC Okanagan.”

About UBC's Okanagan campus

UBC’s Okanagan campus is an innovative hub for research and learning founded in 2005 in partnership with local Indigenous peoples, the Syilx Okanagan Nation, in whose territory the campus resides. As part of UBC—ranked among the world’s top 20 public universities—the Okanagan campus combines a globally recognized UBC education with a tight-knit and entrepreneurial community that welcomes students and faculty from around the world in British Columbia’s stunning Okanagan Valley.

To find out more, visit: ok.ubc.ca

COVID-19 shouldn't be an excuse to skip Valentine's Day.

UBCO researcher offers advice on stress reduction, relationship maintenance

Unfortunately, love isn’t the only thing in the air this Valentine’s Day season.

The spread of COVID-19 and its new, increasingly contagious variants, paired with public health orders, have forced some couples to reconsider their Valentine’s Day plans.

But is it really the roses, fancy chocolates and in-person dining experiences that show someone how much you care for them?

Dr. Jessica Lougheed, an assistant professor of psychology in the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, researches interpersonal emotion dynamics. As February 14 fast approaches, Lougheed  shares some tips for a virtual Valentine:

Physical distancing due to COVID-19 has forced some people to change the way they spend time with their partners. Why is it emotionally difficult for humans to not have physical contact with loved ones?

There’s a growing body of research that shows humans have evolved to function optimally when we’re physically closer to the ones we love. For example, data has shown that our brains are better able to process potential threats and stressors in our environment if we have actual physical contact with someone we love—like hand-holding.

Obviously, many humans have been deprived of this physical contact due to the pandemic, but that doesn’t mean all is lost—it just means we need to find new ways of connecting to others and managing stress.

How is stress related to mood—and can it impact how we treat our partners?

Stress is closely related to mood. While people have different emotional responses to it, stress can increase one’s irritability and make them feel flatter emotional responses to both good and bad. It can also make people feel like they’re just having a more difficult time navigating the multiple dimensions of day-to-day life like chores, running a household, school, work, kids, friends—all of these things can seem more difficult without the physical support of your partner or close social contacts.

Staying connected, even virtually, helps share the burden of the emotional loads that we’re all carrying around right now. If we don’t take the time to resolve our stress, it can grow over time, and indeed negatively affect our interpersonal relationships. So my recommendation is to acknowledge stress and then find an outlet for it—it could be physical exercise, safely spending time outdoors or even having a good cry, which can really help end the stress response cycle.

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching—what advice do you have for those who aren’t comfortable with celebrating in-person, but have a partner who wants to see them?

Being upfront and honest with your partner is by far the best thing you can do—and have the conversation early on, don’t leave it to the last minute. Everyone has a different personal comfort level with managing risks related to COVID-19. Perhaps it stems from living in a multi-generational household or working with someone who has a weakened immune system—no matter what the reasoning, it’s important to emphasize it’s not about not wanting to see your partner. It’s about public health orders and keeping the community safe.

All relationships require ongoing effort to maintain them. You don’t just find a partner and everything is wonderful. Instead, solid, healthy relationships are built on a foundation of honesty, love and care.

Can you have a meaningful Valentine’s Day while apart?

Absolutely! Plenty of businesses offer virtual Valentine’s Day events like wine tastings or art classes. There are all sorts of special activities couples can do together while being apart—it just may require some creative thinking.

I also want to note that it’s actually the little gestures over time that make the biggest impact. Think about sending your partner a message to let them know they’re on your mind or how much you appreciate them working together to solve a problem—showing you value the little, everyday actions are as important as the grand gestures in maintaining a healthy relationship.

About UBC's Okanagan campus

UBC’s Okanagan campus is an innovative hub for research and learning founded in 2005 in partnership with local Indigenous peoples, the Syilx Okanagan Nation, in whose territory the campus resides. As part of UBC—ranked among the world’s top 20 public universities—the Okanagan campus combines a globally recognized UBC education with a tight-knit and entrepreneurial community that welcomes students and faculty from around the world in British Columbia’s stunning Okanagan Valley.

To find out more, visit: ok.ubc.ca

Annual discussion highlights world-changing discoveries and accomplishments

What: Nobel Night panel discussion with distinguished professors
Who: University researchers discuss the 2020 Nobel Prizes
When: Thursday, December 10, beginning at 7 p.m.
Where: Virtual event on Zoom. Register at NobelNight.ok.ubc.ca

This year, the long-established tradition of Nobel Night at UBC Okanagan will continue, but in a virtual format. The event will be divided into two segments with the main presentation taking place from 7 to 8 p.m. followed by a moderated question and answer session with the panel.

Each presenter has just eight minutes to explain the significance of the work achieved by this year’s winners. The event will be hosted by UBCO’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal Lesley Cormack and emceed by Phil Barker, vice-principal and associate vice-president of research and innovation.

The Nobel Prize in Physics: 

Alex Hill, assistant professor of astrophysics with the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science, will highlight the research and findings on black holes conducted by Nobel Prize winners Roger Penrose, Reinhard Genzel and Andrea Ghez.

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry: 

Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science’s Kirsten Wolthers, who teaches biochemistry, chemistry and molecular biology, will discuss the findings of Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna and their development of a method to edit genomes.

The Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine: 

Sarah Brears, regional associate dean of UBCO’s Southern Medical Program will discuss the work of Harvey J. Alter, Michael Houghton and Charles M. Rice—all three share the prize for their work on the hepatitis C virus including new tests and medicines that can save lives.

The Nobel Peace Prize: 

Professor Haroon Akram-Lodhi, editor-in-Chief with the Canadian Journal of Development Studies will speak about significant of the World Food Programme being named the winner of the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize.

The Nobel Prize in Literature: 

Nancy Holmes, associate professor of creative studies and creative writing will talk about poet Louise Glück and her award-winning writing.

Advance registration is required to join this virtual event. Register at NobelNight.ok.ubc.ca

About UBC's Okanagan campus

UBC’s Okanagan campus is an innovative hub for research and learning founded in 2005 in partnership with local Indigenous peoples, the Syilx Okanagan Nation, in whose territory the campus resides. As part of UBC—ranked among the world’s top 20 public universities—the Okanagan campus combines a globally recognized UBC education with a tight-knit and entrepreneurial community that welcomes students and faculty from around the world in British Columbia’s stunning Okanagan Valley.

To find out more, visit: ok.ubc.ca

Socioeconomic status a significant factor in distrust of powerful

A recent study examining perceptions of power suggests that individuals with lower socioeconomic statuses are more likely to have a negative view of policy or decision-makers.

Leanne ten Brinke, an assistant professor of psychology in the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and study co-author, says the study was inspired by her time living in the United States during the 2016 presidential election.

Leanne ten Brinke, assistant professor of psychology in the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and study co-author.

“I was a post-doc at University of California Berkley and remember being so struck by the different approaches to power being used by then-candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump,” she explains. “It occurred to me then that people have very different perspectives on what it takes to get to the top.”

In a survey of over 1,000 participants, the study looked at their perceptions of two viable paths to power—one through the use of coercion, manipulation and fear-mongering, and the other rooted in collaboration and respect.

“We were interested in how socioeconomic status might affect one’s view on how power is gained and maintained,” says ten Brinke. “We also wondered how identifying with a theory of power might be associated with one’s interpersonal and societal trust.”

Results showed those with lower socioeconomic statuses were generally less-trusting and more inclined to hold a more coercive and less collaborative view of power, while people with higher socioeconomic statuses were more trusting and embraced the opposite view.

“We also found that people held one theory of power or the other—but not both simultaneously,” explains ten Brinke. “As income inequality continues to rise, and we have a widening gap between the powerful and powerless, these results help us understand how these groups view the human hierarchy in which they live.”

Though it’s unclear exactly where the ‘cut-off’ is for one to have the income and status that leads to a more positive view on power, ten Brinke says this research provides much-needed insight into why people carry such differing views.

“I think a lot of it comes down to trust. If we can change peoples’ theories of power, perhaps we can increase trust where it’s due,” she says, adding that further investigation may be helpful in understanding involvement in the democratic process or why some follow public health guidelines when others don’t.

“There’s considerable research that shows low socioeconomic individuals are less likely to vote than high,” she says.

“Part of that is structural—it may be more difficult for them to get time off work—but I suspect theories of power play into it as well. If you think powerful people are coercive and corrupt and you can’t trust any of them, perhaps you think it doesn’t matter who is in office—but that’s not a healthy democracy, so I see this research as a building block for future work in this area.”

This study was recently published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

About UBC's Okanagan campus

UBC’s Okanagan campus is an innovative hub for research and learning founded in 2005 in partnership with local Indigenous peoples, the Syilx Okanagan Nation, in whose territory the campus resides. As part of UBC—ranked among the world’s top 20 public universities—the Okanagan campus combines a globally recognized UBC education with a tight-knit and entrepreneurial community that welcomes students and faculty from around the world in British Columbia’s stunning Okanagan Valley.

To find out more, visit: ok.ubc.ca

Currently accepting students for the 2021 academic year, the newly structured BA is designed to be responsive to students’ needs and to focus on learning in areas that are important for industry when hiring graduates.

‘Not your grandparents’ liberal arts degree,’ says arts dean

In an era when there’s increasing emphasis on students to focus on science, technology, engineering and math—the STEM fields—UBC’s Okanagan campus is relaunching its Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with an eye to making it even more relevant to today’s changing world.

Currently accepting students for the 2021 academic year, the newly structured BA is designed to be responsive to students’ needs and to focus on learning in areas that are important for industry when hiring graduates. These include communications, critical thinking, scientific and numeric literacy, and Indigenous understanding.

“We’ve done away with the idea of so-called ‘breadth requirements’ in favour of teaching the core skills that employers are clearly looking for,” says Bryce Traister, dean of the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies and acting dean of the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at UBC Okanagan—the two faculties that are together offering the new degree.

Traister points to the Indigenous content requirement in particular as an example how the new program is adapting and preparing the newest generation of graduates to grapple with some of the most important issues facing society.

“By introducing an Indigenous studies requirement, UBCO is joining a small handful of universities in Canada working to realize the promise of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission process through education—an important step in creating lasting change for our communities,” says Traister. “Not only do we have a moral imperative to explore and teach these ideas, but the jobs of today and those of tomorrow are going to depend on a workforce with a deep understanding and fulsome appreciation for them.”

But Traister is quick to point out that Indigenous content is just one element of the new BA program. With a long list of courses on offer that he says didn’t exist 20 years ago, students today will benefit from the variety, flexibility and choice that will make their degree more relevant than ever.

“Take a full BA in gender and sexuality studies or race and cultural studies, for example,” he says. “These weren’t available just a generation ago but it’s hard to imagine a subject area more relevant to the working conditions of women and men today, or to our collective engagement with racial inequality and justice.”

While Traister says that the STEM fields are equally important to addressing society’s challenges, it’s when science and engineering are combined with the arts and humanities that humanity can reach its full potential.

“UBCO's Bachelor of Arts degree has been rethought to do exactly that,” he adds. “Graduates will be taught to think critically and creatively, to learn from the past and re-imagine the future—better, greener, safer and more just.”

“There’s never been a more exciting time to pursue a degree in the liberal arts.”

About UBC's Okanagan campus

UBC’s Okanagan campus is an innovative hub for research and learning founded in 2005 in partnership with local Indigenous peoples, the Syilx Okanagan Nation, in whose territory the campus resides. As part of UBC—ranked among the world’s top 20 public universities—the Okanagan campus combines a globally recognized UBC education with a tight-knit and entrepreneurial community that welcomes students and faculty from around the world in British Columbia’s stunning Okanagan Valley.

To find out more, visit: ok.ubc.ca

What will it take for workplaces to be truly inclusive?

What: Facing up to Racism at Work, as part of UBCO’s Distinguished Speaker Series
Who: Canadian lawyer, journalist, researcher and equity advocate Dr. Hadiya Roderique
When: Tuesday, November 17 starting at 7 p.m.
Where: Online event at speakers.ok.ubc.ca

Racial inequity is real.

According to 2016 data from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Black Canadians are more likely to live in low-income situations, less likely to enrol in post-secondary, and report experiences of discrimination at work or during a hiring process at twice the rate of the rest of Canadians.

Lawyer, journalist and equity advocate Hadiya Roderique.

On Wednesday, November 17, UBCO hosts lawyer, journalist and equity advocate Hadiya Roderique as part of its Distinguished Speaker Series.

Highly-respected in her fields, Roderique rose to notoriety following the publication of her 2017 Globe and Mail article, "Being Black on Bay Street," where she shared her experiences working as a young, black, woman lawyer in Toronto’s central business district—delivering a wake-up call to corporate Canada.

In this provocative talk, Roderique will continue to build on these experiences, providing a timely discussion on racial inequities in the workplace. Addressing barriers and challenges, she will counter common arguments with informed data and strategies to help move society toward a true meritocracy.

Roderique holds a law degree, master’s degree in criminology and PhD in organizational behaviour and human resources management from the University of Toronto. In 2018, she was named one of Canadian Lawyers’ 25 Most Influential Lawyers and was recognized with the Rising Star award from the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers.

The Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences’ Distinguished Speaker Series brings compelling speakers to the homes of Okanagan residents to share their unique perspectives on issues that affect our region, our country and our world.

This virtual event is free and open to all, but online pre-registration is required. To register, visit: speakers.ok.ubc.ca

About UBC's Okanagan campus

UBC’s Okanagan campus is an innovative hub for research and learning founded in 2005 in partnership with local Indigenous peoples, the Syilx Okanagan Nation, in whose territory the campus resides. As part of UBC—ranked among the world’s top 20 public universities—the Okanagan campus combines a globally recognized UBC education with a tight-knit and entrepreneurial community that welcomes students and faculty from around the world in British Columbia’s stunning Okanagan Valley.

To find out more, visit: ok.ubc.ca