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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
Five people in Indigenous outfits in front of wall with Indigenous artwork
How language revitalization boosts Indigenous health
Reviving Indigenous languages may do more than preserve culture.
Athletics
Men doing stretches lying on floor of a changeroom
Lifestyle program geared at hockey fans helps improve men’s health
Obesity disproportionately impacts men’s health, yet few men take preventive action.
Business
Freighter on water in front of mountains
What’s next for Canada in the tariff landscape?
A UBC lecturer explains how shifting dynamics could affect Canadian businesses.
Campus
Headshot of Larry Loyie
How writing can help heal trauma from Residential Schools
How Survivor Larry Loyie used writing to process experience, thrive, and educate others.
Careers
Headshots of Kieran Davey and Savanah Knockwood
Navigating life after graduation successfully
Wondering about life after graduation? Start here.
Community
Smiling woman standing against a garden backdrop
UBC alum named to BC Business 30 Under 30 for healthcare innovation
What began as a passion for helping others turned into province-wide recognition.
Environment
Boulevard with plants and tall grasses
UBC green spaces embrace biodiversity, culture, and climate resiliency
Manicured lawns are being reimagined as thriving ecosystems.
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 holds hand to forehead in front of windows
Addressing five health issues in men could save lives and billions of dollars
A report on Canadian men’s health highlights the gaps in our healthcare system.
Humanities
Alberta and Canadian flags in front of mountains
What if Alberta really did vote to separate?
Alberta would get exactly — and only — what it can bargain for.
Life
An illustration of a person standing gated in by screens and abstract patterns and colourful barcodes.
How to fight disinformation

It’s nothing new, says historian of media, and we can learn from the past.

Science
Three women gathered around fourth woman looking at laptop
Women in physics remain underrepresented — especially in Canada
Out of 15 countries, Canada has the worst record.
Technology
Group of people wearing hardhats in front of scaffolding structure
Next-gen technology helps high-rises ride out earthquakes
A new UBC system enables buildings to absorb earthquake energy, instead of resisting it.
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

Rohma Khurram Nawaz with her dog Saiya on a snowy day
Fort Smith, Canada
UBCO alum Rohma Khurram Nawaz shares the beauty of northern living in this My Town feature.
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.

Class Acts

Rob Schonfeld, BCom'95

After 25 years at big corporations, I just took on the role of Chief Business Officer at Ludeo. Our technology and platform makes shared video gameplay clips PLAYABLE instead of just watchable.

https://undercodenews.com/from-blockbusters-to-startups-why-activisions-cro-joined-a-small-israeli-gaming-disruptor/
 

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A Publication of UBC University of British Colombia