alumni UBC Podcast Archives

How can BC become more welcoming for new immigrants and refugees?

Canada has a reputation for being a welcoming destination for new immigrants and refugees. However, this reputation is not always reflected in the reality these newcomers face in British Columbia. Gaps exist in terms of education, healthcare, employment and social services, and new immigrants often face real struggles accessing the support they require. Hear from our panel of UBC and community experts online as they discuss the barriers that exist for new Canadians and explore the ways that BC and Canada can better support these individuals and families. Moderated by Michelle Eliot, BA’98, Host, BC Today, on CBC’s Radio One. Panelists The Honourable Janet Austin, OBC – Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia Chris Friesen, BA’88 – Director, Settlement Services, Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC) Amira Halperin – Sessional Lecturer, UBC Department of Sociology Guofang Li – Professor and Canada Research Chair in Transnational/Global Perspectives of Language and Literacy Education of Children and Youth in the Faculty of Education, UBC Danny Ramadan – Author, Public Speaker, LGBTQ- Refugees Activist Presented in partnership with the UBC Faculty of Education. Recorded November 2, 2020.

Spotlight on mental health, featuring Humble The Poet

On March 10, 2020, Dean Blye Frank, UBC Faculty of Education, hosted a special talk and panel discussion on mental health, featuring Humble The Poet. Humble The Poet (Kanwer Singh) is a former school teacher turned into a best-selling author, hip-hop artist, designer, filmmaker, influencer and public speaker in the area of education, leadership and self-development. He has authored two best sellers that are thematised around mental wellbeing. Recorded March 10, 2020, at UBC Robson Square in Vancouver, BC. Presented by the UBC Faculty of Education.

Leadership lessons

In December 2019, alumni UBC launched a year-long series that will connect and engage alumni around the theme of leadership. The series kicked off in Vancouver with an evening where UBC alumni gathered to network and learn from high-profile industry leaders. The evening began with a panel discussion where the leaders shared some of their learning and advice, as well as challenges they’ve faced in their career journeys. Host Shelina Esmail, BA'93 - Partner, PFM Executive Search; alumni UBC board member Moderator Robin Gill, BA'93 - Global National BC Correspondent & Weekend Anchor Panelists Zack Eberwein, BASc'17 - Chief Executive Officer, Stoko Carmen Lee, BA'01 - Associate Director and Global Workday Alliance Marketing Lead, Deloitte Ryan Spong, BA'99 - Co-Founder and CEO, Foodee; Co-Founder and Owner, Tacofino Marsha Walden, BCom'80 - President and CEO, Destination British Columbia Recorded December 4, 2019, at the Roundhouse Community Centre in Vancouver, BC. Career Development Program Sponsor: Manulife Supported by: BMO alumni UBC Mastercard and TD Insurance

A million reasons to care: The biodiversity crisis in Canada

One million species around the world are at risk of extinction—many in the next few decades. British Columbia is home to more biodiversity than any other place in Canada. But from our caribou herds to southern resident killer whale pods and from our whitebark pines to Behr's Hairstreak butterflies, we're struggling to safeguard our natural heritage. Hear from world-class researchers, hosted by 2011 MacArthur Fellow Sarah Otto, as they outline the recent science and pinpoint conservation approaches that work. They’ll look at how BC and Canada can help lead the transformational change needed to preserve Earth's threatened biodiversity. Presented by UBC Faculty of Science. Panelist - Dr. Sarah Otto - Professor, UBC Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology; UBC Biodiversity Centre Panelist - Dr Cole Burton - Assistant Professor, UBC Faculty of Forestry; Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Terrestrial Mammal Conservation Panelist - Dr. Jeannette Whitton - Associate Professor, UBC Faculty of Science, Department of Botany; Director, UBC Herbarium Recorded October 8, 2019, at UBC Robson Square in Vancouver, BC.

Changing my mind: Margaret Trudeau speaks on mental health

Margaret Trudeau is a Canadian icon, celebrated both for her role in the public eye and as a respected mental-health issues advocate. From becoming a prime minister’s wife at a young age, to the loss of both her son and her former husband, to living with bipolar disorder, Margaret tirelessly shares her personal stories to remind others of the importance of nurturing the body, mind, and spirit. Presented by the UBC Faculty of Education, in partnership with alumni UBC. Recorded June 5, 2019, at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver in Vancouver, BC.