Spotlight

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?

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

UBC grads defining the future

One pressing question. Multiple expert perspectives.

Insider travel tips from alumni around the world

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

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

A glance into UBC’s past

Winning entries from our annual writing contest for UBC alumni

More show, less tell

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

Spring 2025

Photo of people protesting and holding up signs. One sign says: "Accountability."

Despite the backsliding, public support for democracy remains strong.

An illustration of a person standing gated in by screens and abstract patterns and colourful barcodes.

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

Two luxury yachts next to each other

And how a widening wealth gap is damaging democracy.

An illustration of a fist shattering the USA Supreme Court Building.

Autocrats can have dark personality traits and perform poorly. Why do people vote for them?

Headshots of the six experts, with a white capital letter Q juxtaposed on top

One pressing question, multiple expert perspectives.

An illustration of two people standing on opposite sides of a rectangular infinity loop

Even the most hostile political adversaries may have more in common than they think.

Three illustrations: an orca wearing a dead salmon on its head; a dog with a UBC graduation cap and a collar with the name 'Joey'; and an Oscar trophy with the name 'S. Quan'

For which film did a UBC Theatre alum win an Oscar?

An illustration of people standing before a barbed wire wall, behind which are finger prints and a giant hand print.

Dismantling it risks turning democracy into a gated community, say UBC experts.

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

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

The Gordon B. Shrum Building on University Boulevard

A look inside the new home of UBC’s School of Biomedical Engineering.

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.

The future of fashion is youth-led.

A photo of Garry McCracken standing on a dirt road next to his bike, which has a pannier labelled 'The Road To Valor.' In the background are mountains, water, and a Canadian flag.

An army veteran is helping to support others whose professions expose them to trauma.

An illustration of students in a classroom practicing calligraphy, while outside the window other people march beside red flags

Winner of the 2025 alumni UBC Short Fiction Contest.