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Spotlight
The Future of Democracy

Political observers have noted an ongoing global decline in democracy over the past two decades. And now, the world’s most powerful nation is led by a president who is openly challenging the democratic ideals on which it was built. What are the roots of this backsliding, and how can democracy be strengthened for the 21st century?

Photo of people protesting and holding up signs. One sign says: "Accountability."
Democracy: Down, but not out

Despite the backsliding, public support for democracy remains strong.

Spotlight Archive
Arts
Close-up of "Canadian" entry in dictionary, with red overlay
137 more reasons to love Canadian English
With 137 new entries and a fresh design, UBC’s Dictionary of Canadianisms is better than ever.
Athletics
Man holds hands up to "Nestor's Gym" sign
New UBC Recreation Centre honours intramural visionary’s legacy
Nestor's Gym is named after the founder of UBC recreation.
Business
Close-up of wheat crop growing in a field
Canadian crops beat global emissions—even after 17 trips across the Atlantic
Canadian-grown wheat, canola, and peas have some of the world’s lowest carbon footprints.
Campus
Crowd of people outside a building with canopy tents in front
UBC Okanagan kicks off 20th anniversary year with record domestic enrolment
September is back-to-school time—for everyone, it’s a chance at new beginnings.
Careers
Man sits at table typing on laptop
This scientist’s side hustle is creating crosswords for The New York Times
Dean by day, cruciverbalist by night.
Community
Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre at night
Celebrating 10 years of the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre—and UBC Vancouver’s incredible changes
Why this fall is the perfect time to revisit the alumni centre and UBC’s Vancouver campus.
Environment
Forested mountainside divided in half by clear-cut swath
Clear-cutting linked to 18-fold rise in extreme floods, UBC study finds
Clear-cutting can have impacts that last more than 40 years.
Give UBC
Hugo Mota Santos seated on a deck with water and trees in the background
In his 30s with a baby on the way, Hugo found his calling
“Even 30...40 years from now, I will remember this award and the importance it had in my life.”
Health
Man in lab coat stands in lab
It all started at UBC: How a professor ignited BC’s biotech boom
A UBC physics student would develop a breakthrough, protecting billions of people.
Humanities
Two cheerful men in exercise gear holding yellow cards
Allard Law alum Jonathon Braun joins The Amazing Race Canada
This UBC grad wants to be a positive role model for the next generation of queer youth.
Life
Plates of food with drinks, flowers, and cutlery
An excellent source of protein: Health, hype, and hard truths
Does the hype about protein match the science?
Science
Scuba diver floats near measuring tape over sea stars on rock
Solving the decade-long mystery of what was killing sea stars in the Pacific
In 2013, a mysterious epidemic swept across the Pacific Coast of North America.
Technology
Man in lab coat in laboratory
UBC Okanagan researchers create 3D-printed living lung tissue
This innovation could transform how scientists study lung disease.
afterwords

alumni UBC’s afterwords is a digital conversation series that shares the stories of some of UBC Okanagan’s extraordinary alumni.

Upper-body shot of Allisha Heidt standing by the front counter in her store
Allisha Heidt
Meet a UBCO alum and entrepreneur whose business is helping to save the planet.
Changemakers

UBC grads defining the future

An image of Sophia Yang standing in front of a crowd with her arms up, wearing a lanyard, black top, and quilted red, green, and white top.
Threading change

The future of fashion is youth-led.

Class Acts

News from your old classmates

Collective Wisdom

One pressing question. Multiple expert perspectives.

Headshots of the six experts, with a white capital letter Q juxtaposed on top
How should democracies adapt for the 21st century?

One pressing question, multiple expert perspectives.

In Memoriam

Lives and legacies

My Town

Insider travel tips from alumni around the world

Dr. Amy Dawson on Signal Hill with her dog Watson
St. John’s, Canada
Explore the capital of Canada’s easternmost province with a UBC Medicine alum and resident.
Opinion
Supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris during her concession speech for the 2024 presidential election, with American flags in the background
Hope in precarious times
As democracy in America faces its greatest test, this is the hope that I’m holding on to.
President’s Highlight

Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon reflects on the people and places shaping UBC

The Gordon B. Shrum Building on University Boulevard
From stem cells to robots
A look inside the new home of UBC’s School of Biomedical Engineering.
Readers Write

Stories, advice, and snapshots of life from UBC Magazine readers.

Mixed-media image collage showing black and white photos of young people in career-related settings with colourful graphic elements
What these UBC grads wish they’d known when they started their first jobs
If you’re a new graduate, this could be just what you need to hear today.
Rewind

A glance into UBC’s past

A black and white photo of three people working on the Wally Wagon
The Wally Wagon

A sustainable car designed by UBC engineers in 1972 was years ahead of its time.

Short Fiction

Winning entries from our annual writing contest for UBC alumni 

An illustration of students in a classroom practicing calligraphy, while outside the window other people march beside red flags
2025 Winner: Magnificence
Winner of the 2025 alumni UBC Short Fiction Contest.
The Big Picture

More show, less tell

Photo of Robby the robot.
Robby the robot
The newest member of UBC’s Athletics & Recreation team is a line-painting robot.
The Last Word

Q&As featuring well-known individuals with a UBC connection

A photo of Susan Musgrave clutching a cat to her chest
Susan Musgrave

Wild heart, kind spirit.

A vaccine bottle beside several syringes
From COVID to cancer: Why Canada’s RNA vaccine leadership matters more than ever
RNA technology is powering a revolution — and Canada is uniquely positioned to lead it.
Anna Blakney and Pieter Cullis, BSc'67, MSc'70, PhD'72
5 Min
 Four people standing around a person in a bed. Attached to the bed is a sign that reads: "UBC Bed Pushing Marathon"
The Intellectual Stunts Committee

Meet the mischief‑makers who declared war on apathy.

Rachel Glassman, BA'18, MA'20
3 Min
Over-the-shoulder shot of someone in a video meeting

Diversify your mentorship mindset

Learn how to refine your mentorship skills in the ever-evolving workplace.
People dressed in black lying on the ground holding tombstone-shaped signs with "RIP" messages related to democracy

Spotlight

The Future of Democracy

Presenting Partners of FORWARD, the campaign for UBC
CBC logoThe Globe and Mail logo
Photo of people protesting and holding up signs. One sign says: "Accountability."
Democracy: Down, but not out
Richard Littlemore
11 Min
An illustration of a person standing gated in by screens and abstract patterns and colourful barcodes.
How to fight disinformation
Madeleine de Trenqualye, BA’07
9 Min
An illustration of two people standing on opposite sides of a rectangular infinity loop
How polarized are we really?
Bruce Grierson
9 Min
See All Articles
See All

Featured

Close-up of interactive map showing info about "The Shadow" art installation
How much has UBC Vancouver changed in the past decade?
1 Min
Annie Ciernia standing outside the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health
How genetics and environment shape brain development
Sarah Stenabaugh, MJ'10
3 Min
Man holds credit card while typing on laptop
What credit card habits reveal about Canadian households
David Bidwell
3 Min
Man in lab coat stands in lab
It all started at UBC: How a professor ignited BC’s biotech boom
Thandi Fletcher
5 Min
Boulevard with plants and tall grasses
UBC green spaces embrace biodiversity, culture, and climate resiliency
Kaitlyn Fung, BA'17, MJ'22, and Simmi Puri
4 Min
Headshot of Charina Cruz
Build your personal brand and elevate your presence
Man holds hands up to "Nestor's Gym" sign
New UBC Recreation Centre honours intramural visionary’s legacy
Nestor's Gym is named after the founder of UBC recreation.
Emily Cordonier, BA'06
6 Min
Carol Eugene Park and Jeevan Sangha

Would you recycle for a chance at $1,000?

UBC researchers test a recycling lottery system to incentivize climate action.
See All

Podcasts

Carol Eugene Park and Jeevan Sangha
Would you recycle for a chance at $1,000?
25 Min
Carol Eugene Park and Jeevan Sangha
Here’s a stirring solution to drink spiking
25 Min
Carol Eugene Park and Jeevan Sangha
The invisible force behind your favourite movies and shows
29 Min
Carol Eugene Park and Jeevan Sangha
How concerned should we be about falling space junk?
38 Min
Carol Eugene Park and Jeevan Sangha
The truth about DEI and what backlash against it really reveals
23 Min
See All

Give UBC

Hugo Mota Santos seated on a deck with water and trees in the background
In his 30s with a baby on the way, Hugo found his calling
3 Min
Portrait of Angeli Li outdoors
Easing the burden on loved ones
1 Min
Portrait of James Seabrook and his family seated on a set of stairs
One of UBC Okanagan’s earliest grads is giving back — for a greener future
4 Min

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A Publication of UBC University of British Colombia