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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
Test
How UBC’s Old Auditorium survived to celebrate 100 years
Once nearly lost, this beloved concert hall lives on as a hub of community and culture.
Athletics
UBC students paddling in canoe for Day of the Longboat
Test your knowledge of UBC athletics
Put your brains (but not your brawn) to the test!
Business
Cut logs with a crane at a site in a forest
What 45-per-cent tariffs mean for BC’s forest sector 
This escalation pushes BC’s forestry sector into uncharted territory.
Campus
Asian man stands in garden in front of stone ornament
Nitobe Memorial Garden: A garden that bridges worlds
Curator Ryo Sugiyama tends a living bridge between Japan and Canada.
Careers
Group of red pawns clustered separately from one blue pawn
Why a UBC prof illuminates how toxic leadership impacts workplaces
This researcher is seeking to find ways to build healthier workplaces.
Community
Books and paraphernalia in a display case
UBC Library launches exhibition celebrating 100 Years of UBC at Point Grey
This free display features artifacts from every decade of UBC’s history at Point Grey.
Environment
Modern outhouse with ramp in forest
UBC launches world’s first mushroom-powered waterless toilet
This prototype turns human waste into nutrient-rich compost—and doesn’t need plumbing.
Give UBC
Portrait of Angeli Li outdoors
Easing the burden on loved ones
Angela Li is part of the equation for UBC women in math.
Health
Four men and one woman sit and stand on stage
Is modern masculinity facing a crisis—or undergoing an evolution?
Four experts explored whether masculinity is collapsing or adapting in our changing world.
Humanities
Curtains illuminated by glow through a window
Ghosts, aliens, and Sasquatch: What Canadians believe in
Belief in the paranormal is alive and well in Canada—though not as strong as you might think.
Life
Two men hold hands and jump for joy on hilltop
Allard Law grad takes home the top prize on the Amazing Race Canada
Jonathon Braun (JD'15) has always loved games.
Science
A woman with a pregnant belly, holding a medicine box in one hand and medication pills in the palm of her other hand.
Autism is not a scare story: What expectant parents need to know
Despite recent headlines, the evidence that drugs like Tylenol or SSRIs cause autism is weak.
Technology
Man and woman stand at top of stairwell
Delivering AI’s promise of better health care
In health care, time isn’t just valuable—it saves lives.
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

Hannah Edwards at Tokyo Station at night, with skyscrapers in backdrop
Tokyo, Japan
UBC alum Hannah Edward shares insider tips for exploring Japan’s vibrant and bustling capital.
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.

UBC Concerts
Why these 17 concerts on campus will stay with alumni forever
Readers share their most memorable and magical (and sometimes rainy) concert memories.
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