Patty Wellborn

Email: patty.wellborn@ubc.ca


 

Nuclear North Korea

UBC hosts event exploring the implications for Canada and the region

What: Symposium on Nuclear North Korea: Implications for Canada and the Region
When: Friday, March 2: three sessions from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Who: Canada’s former ambassadors to Korea and China, and several experts of the region
Where: UBC’s Okanagan campus, University Centre Ballroom, room UNC 200, 3272 University Way

UBC Okanagan is hosting a day-long symposium that will bring together experts on North Korea, including Canada’s former ambassadors to North Korea and China, the Consul General of the Republic of Korea, and several Washington, D.C.-based experts of the region, who will discuss the current political international climate.

On the margins of the international community for decades, North Korea has been pursuing and ramping up a nuclear program and has made direct threats toward the United States. The most recent threat came in November when the country claimed to have successfully tested a new type of international ballistic missile that could reach North America, a claim that US-based experts confirm is supported by their data.

Heightened rhetoric from Leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump have made frequent headlines around the world, leaving many people concerned about what appears to be an increasing threat, and unsure what is hype and what is reality.

This daylong symposium will bring together six experts to discuss the nature of the threat, the historical context, the competing geopolitical interests in the region and what role Canada should play.

Speakers at this event include: Sven Jurschewsky, former Senior Counselor, Canadian Foreign Service in China; David Chatterson, Canada’s Ambassador to Korea (2011-2014); Gunn Kim, Consul General of the Republic of Korea; Scott Snyder, Council on Foreign Relations, Washington, D.C.; Jenny Town, US-Korea Institute, Johns Hopkins University; and Donald Baker, Professor of Korean History, UBC Vancouver.

The discussion will also examine how people can better assess what they see in the media on international politics and diplomacy.

The day will include three sessions:

  • Historical context: How did we get to where we are today? Analyzing previous negotiations and engagement with the regime and their outcomes.
  • Geopolitical interests and responses: What are the core interests of the main players in the region and the international community and how are they pursuing those interests?
  • What should we learn from this situation? What are the implications for Canada?

This free event is sponsored by the Roger W.  Gale Symposium in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. It is presented by the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Economics, Philosophy and Political Science. Guests can attend all sessions or any of the three, which begin at 10 a.m., 12:30 and 3 p.m.

For more information or to register visit: northkorea-symposium-2018.eventbrite.com.

About UBC's Okanagan campus

UBC’s Okanagan campus is an innovative hub for research and learning in the heart of British Columbia’s stunning Okanagan Valley. Ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world, UBC is home to bold thinking and discoveries that make a difference. Established in 2005, 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. For more visit ok.ubc.ca.

The economics of back to school

A Q&A with Assistant Professor of Economics Ross Hickey

Economist Ross Hickey, who teaches at UBC’s Okanagan campus, discusses the reasoning behind back to school sales.

Why are back to school sales so early?

Back to school sales appear to come early, but they are likely right on time. The first thing we need to recognize about sales is that retailers use them to promote both the products on sale, and themselves as a business. Promoting a sale costs money for every online ad, physical flyer, or television or radio spot. They have to strike a balance in the timing of their sales between appealing to those who plan ahead, and also to those who procrastinate. If sales are left too late, they miss out on the opportunity of appealing to those who plan ahead. On the other hand, if sales are too early, they miss the opportunity of having their marketing material appeal to those who shop closer to the last minute. Each retail business makes this trade-off while also considering the actions of their competitors.

Why don’t these sales start even earlier? Will we eventually see these sales starting right after the last day of school?

Starting a sale earlier helps you get more of those people who plan ahead, but this only works up to a point. Even the most ardent planners do not typically shop for back to school supplies at the end of the previous school year. Posting a reduced price on a good that you could sell for more money is not going to help you maximize your profits. So retailers will be reluctant to post reduced prices right after the last day of school. Many retailers of back to school supplies are general retailers in that they sell a variety of products – some school supplies and some not. These retailers have limited shelf space and space to hold inventory. So, choosing too early of a sales date for the back to school products hurts the business’ ability to make profits on the non-back to school items.

Could retailers be colluding in order to manipulate the market?

It’s possible that retailers could collude, but it’s more likely that they are competing. Often times people point to retail gasoline markets as an example of collusion because the advertised prices are often nearly identical. But this is really the result of competition – that shared price is an equilibrium outcome. Charge a higher price and you lose customers to your competitors. Charge a lower price and you reduce your profitability to the point of bankruptcy.

Things like back to school sales follow the same principles. Think about the costs and benefits of a sale. The biggest benefit is that you attract customers you wouldn’t otherwise attract. But what does that cost you? Well, for starters you’re selling products at a discounted price rather than full price. Plus, it costs you money to advertise your sale. And, have too many sales, and they lose their effectiveness; customers will come to expect sales all the time.

So, retailers must choose their sale dates carefully. If they cut their sales window shorter than the competition, they would lose customers to competitors. But if they start the sale earlier, they risk having the non-back to school shoppers paying reduced prices for products they would have paid full price for, while also diminishing their own ability to market sales for other products during those earlier dates.

So you can see, the similarity in timing of back to school sales, like the similarity in pricing at the gas pumps, actually demonstrates how competition, surprisingly, can breed similarity.

Online shopping is much more prevalent these days. Does that have any effect on when these sales occur or how the brick and mortar stores operate?

It would be unusual if the expansion of online shopping didn’t affect the brick and mortar stores. Online retailers behave in a very different marketplace and in some ways cater to different consumers – those who are more tech savvy than the brick and mortar only shoppers. To the extent that online retailers may have lower advertising costs because they advertise online more frequently, they may be able to target the planners and procrastinators more easily with specialized sales. I would think that online retailers are putting pressure on brick and mortar retailers to provide longer sales periods with deeper discounts.

Assistant Professor of Economics Ross Hickey.

Assistant Professor of Economics Ross Hickey.

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UBC Okanagan launches Economics and the Media, the first campus course of its type open to students across the university.

UBC Okanagan launches Economics and the Media, the first campus course of its type open to students across the university.

In today’s Information Age, media is everywhere. As the digital revolution continues to unfold and new global markets emerge, new media has become a growing economic influence.

Within this context, UBC Okanagan is launching Economics and the Media, the first course of its type open to students across the university, regardless of their program of study.

Available in January 2018, the interdisciplinary course will draw together students from every faculty and discipline, from economics and political science to management and media studies.

Julien Picault, instructor of economics, at UBC's Okanagan campus.

Julien Picault, instructor of economics, at UBC's Okanagan campus.

“This course is ideal for highly-motivated students seeking to gain supplementary practical experience with economics,” says Julien Picault, instructor of economics, who is leading the course design.

Taking a broad perspective, the course will cover the multifaceted nature of economics. Students will also have the chance to submit articles to KelownaNow, a partnered local media outlet for possible publication.

“Students will have the opportunity to expand on the theoretical models learned in previous courses by researching and writing media articles exploring the practical role of economics in the community,” Picault adds.

Picault says students may be surprised at the interactive nature of the course, noting there is a lot more to it than taking notes during class.

“Rather than traditional lectures, the course will include group discussions, brainstorming, group research and experimental learning,” says Picault. “This is an outcome-based course. Students will be expected to produce high-quality articles worthy of publication.”

Students will be held not only to UBC standards but also to those of the media outlet, providing a better understanding of workplace expectations.

Picault is one of two 2017 recipients of the Curricular Innovation Award, which provides faculty in the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences up to $10,000 to develop innovative approaches to teaching and learning.

Open to all UBC students and starting January 2018, the new Economics and the Media course (ECON 391) requires completed prerequisites in Principles of Microeconomics (ECON 101) and Principles of Macroeconomics (ECON 102).

Registration opens in June and specific details can be found at: students.ok.ubc.ca/enrolment-services/course-registration/registration-dates

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Graphic for Fourth annual Roger Watts Advocacy Debates

What: Fourth annual Roger Watts Advocacy Debates
Who: UBC's Okanagan student debaters
When: Thursday, March 30, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Mary Irwin Theatre, Rotary Centre for the Arts, 421 Cawston Avenue, Kelowna, BC

The Donald is in the White House. And people are wondering—has the political world been colonized by celebrity culture?

Students, faculty and members of the public are invited to watch UBC Okanagan’s most talented debaters tackle what might be the most important question of our time—Be It Resolved That Personalities Have Replaced Issues In Politics.

Student debaters will be judged by a panel of community judges and a prize of $1,000 will be awarded for first place, with $500 for the runners-up. This public event is free and followed by a reception.

The Roger Watts Advocacy Debates is a partnership of the Department of Philosophy, Political Science and Economics at UBC's Okanagan campus and a community advisory committee. The debates are named after the late Roger Watts, a respected member of the Okanagan’s legal community, and a skilled orator and a strong advocate.

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UBC Assistant Professor of Economics Ross Hickey explains why falling in love hurts the wallet more than the heart.

UBC Assistant Professor of Economics Ross Hickey explains why falling in love hurts the wallet more than the heart.

Love—and the ring of cash registers—is in the air.

Assistant professor of economics Ross Hickey, who teaches in the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences at UBC’s Okanagan campus, explains why falling in love hurts the wallet more than the heart.

According to a survey by RetailMeNot.ca, the average Canadian plans to spend $164 on Valentine’s Day this year.

Traditional romantic gifts still rank high in popularity. On average, consumers will spend $190 on jewellery, $76 on tickets to an event or show, $61 for lingerie, $40 on flowers and $18 for candy or chocolate.

Whether you’re a cynic who thinks Valentine’s Day is just a holiday manufactured by the card, flower and jewellery industries, or whether you go all in with the hearts and chocolate, you might be interested to learn more about the economics of the annual holiday.

Q: What economic factors explain the surge in prices on classic Valentine’s Day items such as flowers, chocolates and cards?

Ross Hickey: This is the textbook lesson of supply and demand. All it takes is a big increase in demand to create a gap between what sellers can offer and what buyers want.

Valentine’s Day creates a wedge between the amount of flowers demanded by buyers and the amount of flowers supplied by sellers. This excess demand means that the price gets pushed up, and up, and up until demand and supply are once again equal at the new price.

It starts with flowers more so than other goods. Flowers need to be purchased on the day of, or at least within a day or two. Recognizing this, sellers can significantly increase the price because they know that’s when people are going to make the purchase, and it’s expected every February.

Q: Can skipping Valentine’s Day cost more in the long run? Can it lead to breakups?

RH: Studies have shown an increase in breakups prior to holidays like Christmas, and I imagine the same is taking place around Valentine’s Day, particularly for new couples.

There is gift-giving pressure to make a material investment, and this pressure presents an opportunity to evaluate the relationship through a cost-benefit analysis. Holidays are particularly expensive, and the cost of participating depends on with whom you’re in love, coupled with their expectations, and whether or not you feel comfortable investing in that relationship.

For new couples, the first Valentine’s Day is probably the hardest one. People in new relationships have a tendency to minimize their expectations for fear of being labelled as high maintenance, difficult or needy. As a result, both partners may have the incentive to understate their real expectations, and subsequently find themselves disappointed with their partner. Expectations are something you have to either meet or exceed.

Q: Does social media impact the heightened pressure of Valentine’s Day?

RH: Social media tools without question, make self-comparison more salient. Social media makes a lot of things more visible and in real time. Social media can add pressure to deliver even more on Valentine’s Day than in its absence.

Imagine waking up on the west coast and logging onto Instagram, seeing east coast friends, family, retail companies and celebrities boasting about their Valentine’s Day celebrations. You see it, your partner will likely experience it too, and the effect of this may lead to engaging in more costly displays of affection, than what’s desired.

Many economists actually argue it’s more valuable to receive cash as opposed to material goods or services, because there’s the probability of not purchasing the right gift. If, however, gift exchanges are valued over more than cash by the receiver, your gesture needs to indicate that you know what they like—this is what economists refer to as signalling game, as described by Nobel Prize award-winning economist Michael Spence.

In the absence of these signals, your partner in theory would be happy with just a simple box of chocolates. But because of signalling and yes, social media, we are bombarded with images and experiences that heighten levels of expectations and as a result can impact what we actually do.

Q: In an effort to spend less and beat the rush, what gifts do you recommend consumers purchase in advance of February 14th?

RH: Chocolates and cards can be purchased in advance, because of their durability. What I would recommend as the better purchase is not necessarily the classic Valentine’s Day merchandise. Instead, you should invest in something that your significant other really enjoys, because those goods or services may not experience a surge in price.

Remember, on Valentine’s Day, people are looking for gestures of affection. It’s the time of year when you signal to your partner that you know what his or her preferences are. Most importantly, don’t overthink it. In my experience, matters of the heart are best evaluated without an economists’ lens.

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What: The Refugee Crisis in Europe
Who: Werner Wnendt, German Ambassador to Canada and Christopher Kerr, Citizenship and Immigration Canada
When: Thursday, April 7 from 2 to 5 p.m.
Where: Arts Building, Room ART 110, UBC’s Okanagan campus

The public is welcome to hear two different perspectives on the refugee crisis in Europe.

Join Werner Wnendt, German Ambassador to Canada, as he presents his country’s perspective on the human crisis taking place. Shortly after Wnendt speaks, Christopher Kerr, with Citizenship and Immigration Canada, will outline the Canadian point of view.

This presentation, free and open to the public, is hosted by the Economics, Philosophy and Political Science Unit of the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences and sponsored by the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies and the Reichwald Endowment Fund.

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Rita Abrahamsen

Rita Abrahamsen

What: The Causes and Consequences of the Global Rise of Private Security
Who: Prof. Rita Abrahamsen, Prof. Michael C. Williams, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Ottawa
When: Tuesday, February 16, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Rotary Centre for the Arts, 421 Cawston Ave., Kelowna

The growth of the global private security industry is transforming the international political landscape. Across the globe, private security personnel now frequently outnumber public forces and play increasingly central roles in security provision and governance.

This presentation, led by University of Ottawa scholars Rita Abrahamsen and Michael C. Williams, explores the causes of the global rise of private security. Drawing on examples from Africa, where private security is the largest private sector employer on the continent, the discussion demonstrates its impact in urban areas, resource extraction sites, and on development projects.

Michael C. Williams

Michael C. Williams

This talk is sponsored by UBC Okanagan’s Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences’ Community, Culture and Global Studies unit, History and Sociology unit, the Economics, Philosophy, and Political Science unit, and the Office of the Vice-Principal, Research.

This event is free and open to the public. To register or find out more, visit: eventbrite.ca/e/security-for-sale-tickets-21356949210

Time with his dying father leads to new book, and profound new quality of life

Award-winning musician, journalist, and writer Wab Kinew will talk about his new book The Reason You Walk when he visits Kelowna September 30. Kinew is the next speaker in UBC Okanagan’s Distinguished Speaker Series. Photo courtesy of: Katelyn Malo

Award-winning musician, journalist, and writer Wab Kinew will talk about his new book The Reason You Walk when he visits Kelowna September 30. Kinew is the next speaker in UBC Okanagan’s Distinguished Speaker Series. Photo courtesy of: Katelyn Malo

What: Distinguished Speaker Series: The Reason You Walk
Who: Wab Kinew, Canadian journalist, author, hip-hop musician
When: Wednesday, September 30 at 7 p.m.
Where: Kelowna Community Theatre, 1375 Water St., Kelowna 

A celebrated journalist, writer, musician, and hip-hop artist Wab Kinew knows what it’s like to be at a major crossroads in life. Growing up, initially on a reserve in northern Ontario and then in the inner city of Winnipeg, Kinew could have become a victim of circumstance and his family’s history. His father was raised in a residential school; stories of abuse, rape, alcoholism, and brutality were the constant shadows of his family’s background.

Kinew’s path could have taken any direction. He made mistakes. But he also asked questions. And he expected changes. When those didn’t come, he made his own changes and began speaking out about why Aboriginal people are treated differently than non-Aboriginals.

Already successful in his career, Kinew decided to spend time reconnecting with his dad shortly after his father was diagnosed with cancer. His book, The Reason You Walk, is the result of that time together and the conversations and healing that took place. This chapter in his life will be the main topic of Kinew’s talk when he visits Kelowna as part of UBC Okanagan’s Distinguished Speaker Series September 30.

Talented, passionate and smart, Kinew — who has a degree in economics — has become an accomplished journalist and a motivational speaker. He helped produce and host the acclaimed CBC series 8th Fire, has hosted Canada Reads, is an Aljazeera America correspondent, and at the same time is the Associate Vice-President of Indigenous Affairs at the University of Winnipeg. His hip hop music has won an Aboriginal People’s Choice Music Award, his journalism has won accolades, and he’s been nominated for a Gemini. Postmedia News has called him one of “nine Aboriginal movers and shakers you should know.”

Kinew will speak at the Kelowna Community Theatre, 1375 Water Street on Wednesday, September 30 at 7 p.m. His visit is part of the UBC Okanagan’s Distinguished Speaker Series which is presented by the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences. This event is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required.

To register, visit: www.speakers.ok.ubc.ca

The Reason You Walk will be published this fall and UBC’s Bookstore plans to provide the book for sale at the event.

The Distinguished Speaker Series brings to the Okanagan compelling speakers, with unique perspectives on issues that affect our region, our country and our world. The theme of the series is A Civil and Sustainable Society.

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Minds and Music: Octagon

Eight eminent artists perform works by Beethoven and Schubert at free event

What: Minds and Music
Who: Octagon classical musical ensemble
When: Friday, March 27, 12:30 to 1:50 p.m.
Where: University Centre Ballroom, UBC’s Okanagan campus, Kelowna

Take eight passionate and talented musicians; combine them with UBC Okanagan’s annual Minds and Music event, and you end up with an extraordinary Friday afternoon performance.

The illustrious ensemble Octagon performs at UBC Okanagan’s Minds and Music event on Friday, March 27 in the University Centre Ballroom.

The public is invited to join Octagon musicians Martin Beaver, Mark Fewer, Rivka Golani, Rachel Mercer, Joseph Phillips, James Campbell, Kathleen McLean, and Ken MacDonald as they perform a selection of seldom-heard but popular pieces. The afternoon will include excerpts from Schubert’s Octet Opus 16 and Beethoven’s Septet Opus 20, one of his most successful and popular works.

Minds and Music is organized by Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences Assoc. Prof. of Philosophy Manuela Ungureanu. She envisions students, faculty, staff, and the wider Okanagan community together experiencing the joy of music making and learning about its cultural and historical ties.

“In making this concept a reality,” says Ungureanu, “we have enriched life at UBC's Okanagan campus. We have also been surprised to discover a real appetite in the community for bringing the universal language of music into our everyday conversations, with music performances enhanced by faculty presentations, some of which are connected to our regular courses in the humanities.”

This time the Minds and Music event coincides with a first-year course, Introduction to Literary Genre, taught by Assist. Prof. Anderson Araujo, who teaches English with the department of Critical Studies. Araujo recently taught Romantic poetry and sees the concert as a unique opportunity to enhance literary study with music from the time period.

“It is not only a rare privilege to be able to attend a first-rate performance of selections by Romantic composers on our campus,” Araujo says. “But it will also give the students a richer understanding of the Romantic Revolution in the arts.”

The Octagon concert is open to the public and takes place in the University Centre Ballroom (UNC 200). This free event is supported by Chamber Music Kelowna and the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences (Unit 8).

To find out more, visit: mindsandmusic.ok.ubc.ca/2015/octagon

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Award-winning writer and broadcaster Jay Ingram is UBC Okanagan’s next distinguished speaker. He will discuss the science of Alzheimer’s on Wednesday, February 25 at the Kelowna Community Theatre.

Award-winning writer and broadcaster Jay Ingram is UBC Okanagan’s next distinguished speaker. He will discuss the science of Alzheimer’s on Wednesday, February 25 at the Kelowna Community Theatre.

High demand in community for Alzheimer’s speaker

UBC Okanagan has added a second evening to its Distinguished Speaker Series presentation by Jay Ingram.

The iconic Canadian writer and broadcaster will speak about his new book The End of Memory: A Natural history of Alzheimer’s disease on Thursday, February 26 at the Mary Irwin Theatre. The talk, free and open to the public, will be his second presentation on the topic, as his first presentation the previous evening is fully booked.

This is the first time a Distinguished Speaker Series presentation has been extended to a two-night engagement.

"It's not surprising there is a thirst for knowledge about Alzheimer's disease,” says Ingram. “It's now the subject of plays and novels, but it is also important to understand the history of the disease and the science.”

In his latest book, The End of Memory, Ingram explores the mystery of Alzheimer’s and how it attacks the brain. Alzheimer’s is a growing concern as more and more people are being diagnosed with the disease as populations are living longer.

Ingram, the former host of popular science shows such as CBC’s Quirks and Quarks and Discovery Channel Canada’s Daily Planet, will speak about the mystery of Alzheimer’s and the desperate need for more research funding.

The Science of Alzheimer’s Distinguished Speaker event is presented by UBC Okanagan’s Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences, and takes place Thursday, February 26, at the Mary Irwin Theatre, 421 Cawston Avenue, Kelowna. The event is free and begins at 7 p.m.

Registration is required: dss-ingram-night2.eventbrite.ca

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