Dan Ryder Memorial Lecture
The Dan Ryder Memorial Lecture at UBCO Okanagan brings together distinguished scholars, researchers, students, and members of the academic community for an engaging exchange of ideas. Featuring an invited speaker and thought-provoking discussion, the event provides an opportunity to share knowledge, foster connections, and explore new perspectives. Through this lecture, we honour Dr. Ryder’s memory and the lasting impact of his contributions.
Upcoming Lecture
Dr. Christopher Mole of UBC Vancouver will present the keynote address at this year’s Dan Ryder Memorial Lecture. His lecture, titled Ryder’s Prescience: Prediction and Representation in Neurons and Large Language Models, will mark the second year of this scholarly series.
Date: Friday, November 27, 2026
Time: 5:00 – 6:00 pm
Location: ART 376
Past Lectures
The inaugural Dan Ryder Memorial Lecture was held on October 3, 2025, featuring Eric Margolis from the Department of Philosophy at UBC Vancouver as the guest speaker. Dr. Margolis delivered a lecture entitled The Rationalism-Empiricism Debate in the Twenty-First Century.
About Dan Ryder
Dan Ryder was a dedicated and well-loved teacher and professor of Philosophy at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus. He left an indelible mark on critical thinking pedagogy in British Columbia and spearheaded the addition of critical thinking as a foundational requirement for the BA degree at UBCO Okanagan. Dr. Ryder will be remembered fondly for his guidance and encouragement, and the lasting impact he made on all those who had the privilege of learning from and working with him.
Dr. Dan Ryder Memorial Fund
Donations will honour Dr. Ryder’s legacy and enduring commitment to critical thinking education, while recognizing the lasting and positive impact he had on so many. Contributions pay tribute to his life and career by supporting students in the Department of Philosophy at UBC Okanagan. Final decisions on the allocation of funds will be made in consultation with Dr. Ryder’s family.