Research

Women happier at work when there are fewer men, according to UBC research

CBC
Sun Dec 2 2018

CBC reported on a UBC study that found women are happier working with other women.
Yue Qian, a sociology professor and one of the lead authors of the study, said women in male-dominated occupations face negative stereotypes and higher performance standards than their male co-workers.

New and Renewed Canada Research Chairs

New and Renewed Canada Research Chairs

Congratulations to new CRC Alison Wylie (Philosophy) and reappointed CRCs Sheryl Lightfoot (First Nations & Indigenous Studies) and Michael Byers (Political Science).

100 years after WWI, there is still much to learn: UBC professor

News 1130
Sun Nov 11 2018
By: Renee Bernard and Lauren Boothby

UBC assistant history professor Heidi Tworek was quoted in a News 1130 article about the First World War. Tworek said there is still a lot to learn about that period in history and talked about keeping history alive through memorials such as cenotaphs.
“Canada has invested a lot more in terms of trying to promote that cultural memory or through education in school than, say, the United States,” she said.

UBC Anthropology study: Cacao first cultivated in South America, not Mexico, Central America

Smithsonian Magazine
Tue Oct 30 2018
By: Meilan Solly

Smithsonian Magazine reported on research into the history of chocolate by Michael Blake, a UBC anthropologist and archaeologist.
Blake explained that discovering traces of cacao in fancy containers suggests it may have been an important part of feasting and ritual behaviour.
A similar story appeared on Popular Science (also on MSN).

New UBC research suggests flashing casino lights promote problem gambling

Global
Tue Oct 30 2018
By: Linda Aylesworth

Global reported on UBC research that found bright flashing lights and loud music in gambling halls play an important role in a casino’s success.
Catharine Winstanley, a professor in UBC’s department of psychology, said researchers have received funding to scan brains of participants while they are gambling to learn what brain chemicals and regions are involved in the behaviour.

The problem with words

The problem with words

Ian Williams (Creative Writing), Shanon Walsh (Film Production) and David Gaertner (First Nations & Indigenous Studies) talk about the words that activate their critical and creative pursuits.

UBC Anthropology’s Wade Davis says climate change solutions may lie in ancient wisdom

Chronicle Herald
Sun Oct 14 2018

The Chronicle Herald featured an interview about climate change with Wade Davis, a UBC anthropology professor.
“One of the things that is coming out of this climate change dilemma is a recognition that we are all in this together,” he said.

Bringing Scholars into the Newsroom

Bringing Scholars into the Newsroom

Armed with a $2.5 million SSHRC grant, Peter Klein is bringing journalists and scholars together to investigate corruption, labour abuses and environmental costs in global supply chains.

When “inappropriate” is “wrong”

The Province
Fri Sep 21 2018
By: Douglas Todd

In an article in The Province, UBC’s Dennis Danielson discussed misuse of the word “inappropriate.”
Danielson, a professor emeritus of English, criticizes the overuse of bland jargon such as “inappropriate” in North American public education, health and academia, and builds a case for the return of terms such as “right,” “wrong” and “should.”

Five UBC Arts faculty members elected to Royal Society of Canada

Five UBC Arts faculty members elected to Royal Society of Canada

Peter Dauvergne, Bryan Gick, Daniel Justice, Ayesha S. Chaudhry and Kiley Hamlin have been announced by the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) as Fellows and as Members of the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.