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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
South Asian woman hockey player raises hockey stick on ice
First UBC Thunderbird drafted into Professional Women’s Hockey League
PWHL Vancouver selected Chanreet Bassi (BA’25) in the franchise’s first-ever draft.
Business
Man holds credit card while typing on laptop
What credit card habits reveal about Canadian households
Age, education, and regional differences influence how people handle their credit.
Campus
Polaroids of various UBC shows and concerts with cut-outs of students in the top half of image
Tell us about a show you saw at UBC and never forgot
Submit your story by August 18, 2025, and it could be published in UBC Magazine!
Careers
Headshots of Kieran Davey and Savanah Knockwood
Navigating life after graduation successfully
Wondering about life after graduation? Start here.
Community
Woman in graduation cap and gown carrying roses
UBC grad wins top BC medal for inclusion and reconciliation leadership
Eylul Kara’s journey highlights the power of community-led education and cross-cultural connection.
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
A person in a mask standing in hazy air holds a hand to their forehead
Extreme heat and wildfire smoke is a risky combination, new study finds
UBC researchers examine the risks of extreme heat combined with air pollution.
Humanities
Man looks at large book in library
UBCO prof leads global translation and analysis of rare 13th-century text
One of the most unique and important texts will be analyzed and made widely available.
Life
Hero Image
Carol Eugene Park and Jeevan Sangha
Here’s a stirring solution to drink spiking
With drink spiking a pervasive concern, how can we make nightlife safer for everyone?
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
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.
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.

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?
6 Min
A collection of headshots of the six interviewees, with a white 'Q.' in the bottom right corner.
What developments in the transition to clean energy make you most optimistic?
6 Min
UBC professors
Should we be excited or worried about the rise of AI?
6 Min
Photos of all six interviewees
Should Canada dispense with its tipping culture?
6 Min
a photo collage of different headshots
Can (and should) we remove animals from our food system?
7 Min
Headshots of Carey Doberstein, Dallas Hunt, Oludolapo Makinde, Rick Hansen, Oral Robinson and Heather Campbell.
How do we make our cities more equitable and inclusive?
6 Min
Wide angle view of mountains, with a person standing on a grassy knoll in the foreground
How to get to net zero
6 Min
A portion of the Canada and China flags, overlapping each other.
The future of Canada-China relations
6 Min

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A Publication of UBC University of British Colombia