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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
Samantha Quan giving her acceptance speech with the cast and team of her Oscar-winning film behind her
How many of these Asian Canadian trailblazers do you know?
Hint: They’re all connected to UBC!
Athletics
Two hockey players compete on the ice
A homegrown player is worth an extra $4.8M annually to an NHL team
There’s more at stake than simply keeping the fans happy.
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
Two students pretend to box with boxing gloves
Meet 3 of UBC’s oldest surviving clubs
Here’s to the thespians, the mountaineers, and the journalists.
Careers
Headshot of Robyn Stalkie
Network your way to career success
A UBC career strategist shares her top tips for networking.
Community
Parents with two girls in black and white photo
A dying wish, forgotten boxes, and a lost Holocaust archive rediscovered
A UBC Creative Writing professor uncovers his family’s hidden wartime history.
Environment
Shelves and dresser below "Seed Lending Library" sign
UBC’s Seed Lending Libraries grow community and sustainability
A seed lending library is an innovative concept that’s sprouting up around the world.
Give UBC
Portrait of Mohammed Al-Seragi
From East Vancouver to biochemistry breakthroughs
“It was life-changing — not just for me but for my family.”
Health
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.
Humanities
Jeopardy host stands beside winner on set
Jeopardy! champ and UBC alum Brendan Liaw on his game show experience
Brendan Liaw won three consecutive games, earning $59,398 in total winnings.
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
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.
Technology
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Level up with AI hacks to advance your career
You can harness the power of AI in more ways than you think.
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

Standing in front of a United Nations sign, Jennifer Duncan wears a white blazer and skirt with rose designs and a gold trim.
Hunting, fishing… and lawyering

The Dene lawyer devoted to securing self‑determination for First Nations.

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.

Gif of prof headshots — with 3 to 4 headshots per slide
The profs who changed us

Here’s to the UBC mentors we’ll never forget.

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.

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
Andrea Freeman, MLIS'06
4 Min
Donald and Melania Trump in a lobby
Canada’s fight with Trump isn’t just economic, it’s existential
Stewart Prest
7 Min
A nuclear reactor tower against the blue sky.
Why nuclear energy is not the solution to the climate crisis
6 Min
Canadian flag flies before Parliament building
Why Canadian government transparency on foreign interference is essential
Stewart Prest
5 Min
Circle of people in traditional Haida robes in front of building
Historic Haida Nation agreement shows how to uphold Indigenous rights
Sheryl Lightfoot
5 Min
Bison standing on grass
The 49th Parallel: Political boundaries inhibit effective conservation
Greg Garrard
6 Min
Silhouette of a mother and child on a beach at sunset
This year, let’s get up close and personal with nature
Alison McAfee, BSc'14, PhD'19
7 Min
Bianca Andreescu speaks at a media conference beside the Lou Marsh Trophy
The complex legacy of sports journalist Lou Marsh and his trophy
Janice Forsyth
6 Min
an archival photo of women tending a vegetable plot in a backyard
Dig for victory
Eleanor Boyle, PhD'92
7 Min
Several tents on downtown sidewalk surrounded by various belongings
If cities don’t want homeless encampments, they should help people, not punish them
Penny Gurstein
5 Min
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A Publication of UBC University of British Colombia