Spotlight

Most of today's university undergraduates were born in the 2000s. Like every generation before them, their formative years are being influenced by a distinct set of social conditions, significant events, opportunities, and challenges. What's it like to be a student today? What do Gen Z want from university? And how are universities helping them prepare for their (and our) futures?

Environment

Environment

Woman and young girl wearing helmets on bicycle on street

Are new cycling habits sustainable? And who benefits most from these incentives?

Aerial view of smoke rising from wildfire in a forest

Two UBC experts offer insight on how communities can prepare for a challenging year.

Kevin Kubeck standing among plants in a nursery

How UBC alum Kevin Kubeck is cultivating a greener future at UBC Botanical Garden.

Bison standing on grass

Canada is wasting scarce resources conserving species that are not endangered elsewhere.

Two students with backpacks talk in front of wall

Builders are searching for available, strong materials to make next-generation cement.

Cherry blossom trees in full bloom on UBC's Vancouver campus

Co-led by a UBC researcher, a global competition is tapping into the power of citizen science.

Countless satellites floating above Earth

Recent megaconstellation filings are of unprecedented size, raising multiple challenges.

The back of two children as they look at a wildfire in the distance

Thanks to $5M donation from the Koerner family.

Words written on two hands held in the air at protest

One underappreciated impact of global heating is its influence on language itself.

Man in sports jacket standing by tree in forest

Problems arise when eco-anxiety reaches unhealthy and debilitating levels.

Three people stand before a tree in a forest

UBC researchers are investigating what make us more vulnerable to climate change.

Blue sign on gate states "Tsunami hazard zone"

How do we prepare for disasters like earthquakes while also responding to current crises?

Dr. Mohammad Arjmand in a lab

A UBCO prof and his team are exploring solutions to the world’s obsession with plastics.

A photoshoped lightbulb with leaves

UBC researchers on how a more sustainable life can be achievable for everyone.

One large whale, with one small whale, swimming in ocean

Propeller noise accounts for much of the underwater acoustic barrage from ships.

Two cars drive along highway winding through mountainous forest

An increasing amount of microplastics are ending up in lakes and streams.

grain silos in yellow canola fields

A complex problem in need of a complex solution. It’s going to be tough, says UBC prof.

An illustration of a woman watering a garden

The struggle for agricultural reform and food sovereignty.

an image of canned green beans

Innovative methods for preserving food are preventing spoilage and waste without sacrificing...

A turtle caught in plastic, swimming in the ocean

UBC researchers urge consumers to connect what we buy with what’s harming our oceans.

Helicopter flies over grey smoke arising from pine forest

Understanding the impact of wildfires is an important piece of the climate puzzle.

Aerial view of UBC campus during fall, including the Martha Piper Plaza in bottom centre

These rankings reviewed more than 700 institutions. How did UBC stand out?

Large plume of smoke from factory complex expands across sky

UBC researchers analyzed the relationship between air pollutant levels and mortality.

Sea life swimming near coral reef

The research team found that more diverse coral communities were most resilient.

Woman holding large bunch of plastic gloves above box filled with them

A UBC student project will divert 146 kilograms of plastic waste from landfills.

Three female friends with drinks around a table, including one in a wheelchair

For some disabled people, the flexible plastic straw is life-sustaining.

Boy wearing VR headset while walking across illustration of mountains and valley

Using VR and AR for outdoor education can boost knowledge, access, and well-being.

Vehicle drives along highway surrounded by smoke from forest fire

Here’s how families and communities can prepare for more extreme wildfire seasons.

Grizzly bear walks on a logging road in B.C. forest

Researchers have created the first global map of animal movement between protected areas.

A photograph of Vancouver taken from a helicopter above the Stanley Park area. It shows West Georgia Street, with False Creek and Science World at the end, and East Vancouver in the background.

There may be no such thing, but Vancouver has shown the world an admirable model.