This December, Arts faculty provided expert commentary on a wide range of pressing issues, from global politics and historical events between Canada and the U.S. to social behaviours and economic trends.
Department of Anthropology
Why is it so hard to type in Indigenous languages?
Associate Professor Dr. Mark Turin co-authored an article about Indigenous languages facing digital barriers, highlighted by Haíɫzaqvḷa’s delayed Unicode update and ongoing accessibility challenges.
The Conversation
Alaskan tribes take B.C. to court over northwest gold mine
Professor Dr. Bruce Granville Miller commented on re-establishing the relationship of First Nations to Canada and other Indigenous groups.
CBC via Yahoo Australia, Yahoo New Zealand, Yahoo Canada
Department of Asian Studies
South Korea’s martial law crisis stirs memories of 1980 Gwangju massacre
Professor of Korean history Dr. Donald Baker commented on the history of martial law in South Korea.
Washington Post
South Korea president’s future ‘unstable’ in martial law impeachment push
Professor Dr. Hyung-Gu Lynn commented on the political situation in South Korea.
Global News
Department of English Language and Literatures
A Toronto father took to Facebook to help his son find a date. Why dating with Down syndrome poses unique challenges
Professor Dr. Logan Smilges commented on the difficulties that people with disabilities face when dating.
Globe and Mail (subscription)
Department of Geography
‘At what cost?’: wind energy projects now exempt from environmental assessments in B.C.
Professor Dr. Jessica Dempsey spoke about wind energy projects in B.C.
The Narwhal
Contrary to industry claims, red tape not slowing B.C. mineral boom, finds audit
A study co-authored by Professor Dr. Jessica Dempsey examined planned mines in B.C.
Glacier Media via Burnaby Now, Pique Newsmagazine, Times Colonist, Prince George Citizen, Business in Vancouver, North Shore News, Squamish Chief, Vancouver is Awesome, Richmond News, New Westminster Record
Department of History
Boundary issues
Professor Dr. Bradley Miller discussed the history of immigration along the Canada-U.S. border.
Globe and Mail (subscription)
Births at the time of Jesus’ birth were risky despite good care. There was a risk of sepsis and missing nutrients
Dr. Tara Mulder explained the use of midwives in the Roman Empire.
National Geographic (Czech)
Department of Philosophy
Taylor Swift, Coldplay, Beyonce … is Vancouver finally an A-list concert market?
Professor of philosophy Dr. Kimberley Brownlee commented on concerts by big-name artists.
Vancouver Sun
How fandom rituals contribute to feelings of belonging
Professor Dr. Kimberley Brownlee spoke in-depth about fan culture.
CKNW Mornings with Simi
Being spontaneous can be good for you. 6 ways to ditch the plans and play it by ear
Professor Dr. Edward Slingerland was quoted in an article about spontaneity.
Yahoo Canada, Yahoo Australia, AOL UK
Department of Political Science
Canada can keep calm and take on Trump. But first our centre and left politicians need to regain the trust of young people
Lecturer Dr. Stewart Prest wrote about how Canada should approach the re-election of Donald Trump as U.S. president.
Toronto Star
BC Greens agree to support NDP, bolstering the government’s razor-thin majority
Dr. Stewart Prest spoke about the B.C. Green Party’s agreement to support an NDP government.
Globe and Mail
Canadians resist Trump’s tariff threat
Dr. Stewart Prest commented on president-elect Donald Trump’s threats about imposing tariffs.
News AZ
Should Canada be America’s 51st state?
Professor Dr. Maxwell Cameron talked about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s comments about Canada.
CKNW The Jas Johal Show
Democracy across the Americas is in crisis
Dr. Maxwell Cameron wrote about political crises across the Americas.
The Conversation via Winnipeg Free Press
Department of Psychology
Can’t stand to see others fidget? You could be suffering from this condition
Dr. Todd Handy and Dr. Sumeet Jaswal are looking at a condition known as misokinesia.
CTV
UBC News coverage
Have a very sustainable Christmas: 5 tips from the experts
UBC researchers Dr. Jiaying Zhao, Dr. Kai Chan, Dr. Johan Foster, Dr. Guangyu Wang, Dr. Nadine Borduas-Dedekind, and master’s student Daphne Chevalier gave advice on how to make the holiday season sustainable.
Vancouver Sun via MSN
UBC News coverage
The psychology of the face-down phone
Dr. Elizabeth Dunn is investigating how disruptive cell phones are in social situations.
Psychology Today
7 things to add or subtract for happiness, according to science
Research by Dunigan Folk, a PhD candidate, and Dr. Elizabeth Dunn, a professor in the department of psychology, was mentioned in an article about the study of happiness.
Washington Post (subscription)
Maid of honor refusing to attend sister’s wedding over dog’s name cheered
Professor emeritus Dr. Stanley Coren was mentioned in an article about dogs’ names.
Newsweek, Kansas City Star, Sun News, Charlotte Observer, The Olympian, Lexington Herald-Leader, Tacoma News Tribune, Wichita Eagle, San Luis Obispo Tribune, Bellingham Herald
One behavioral scientist’s way to bring joy to climate action
Dr. Jiaying Zhao spoke about how to reduce food waste.
NPR
Want folks to use reusable mugs? Give them a chance to win free coffee: UBC researchers
Researchers in the Department of Psychology and the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability looked at ways to get consumers to use a reusable mug.
Postmedia via Prince George Post
UBC News coverage
Australia is banning children from using social media! Should Canada follow suit?
Professor Dr. Amori Mikami described her research into social media use by young people. CKNW Mike Smyth Show
UBC News coverage
Feeling unfulfilled despite wealth? 4 smart ways to use your money for true happiness
A UBC psychology study conducted in conjunction with Harvard Business School found that hiring help to do chores boosts happiness.
Yahoo Singapore, AOL
This is how differently men and women experience the end of a relationship
Psychologists from UBC have been part of research looking at how men and women react differently to the end of a relationship.
Welt
Scroll less, connect more: A new study shows how to make social media work for you
PhD student Vasileia Karasavva wrote about their new study which found that using social media intentionally can improve well-being.
The Conversation via New Zealand Herald, Hindustan Times
Roughriders, Redblacks both get multiple A grades on 1st players’ union report cards
Dr. Desmond McEwen, a professor in sport psychology, collaborated with the Canadian Football League (CFL) Players’ Association’s first-ever team report cards.
Canadian Press via MSN, CBC, Global News, Hamilton Spectator, Winnipeg Sun; CTV,Calgary Herald
Department of Sociology
Interview with Amin Ghaziani
Professor Dr. Amin Ghaziani was interviewed by Times Higher Education.
Times Higher Education
A Trump cabinet full of alleged sexual predators? Here’s why it makes perfect sense
Professor Dr. Jennifer Berdahl wrote about the possible reasons behind President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet selection.
The Conversation via Delta Optimist, Burnaby Now, New Westminster Record, Richmond News, Squamish Chief, Tri-City News, Bowen Island Undercurrent, Vancouver is Awesome, Winnipeg Free Press
School of Public Policy and Global Affairs
Merchants of death reap it in from Gaza and Ukraine
Professor Dr. M.V. Ramana explained how manufacturers of weapons are benefitting.
The Citizen
Vancouver School of Economics
The 10 unhappiest countries in the world revealed – and it’s not good for the UK
Professor Emeritus Dr. John F. Helliwell commented on the World Happiness Report.
Daily Express via MSN
Chrystia Freeland will walk a political tightrope with fall economic statement on Monday
Professor Dr. Kevin Mulligan commented on Canada’s economy
Toronto Star
What are the benefits and drawbacks of the Bank of Canada’s hefty interest rate cut?
Professor Dr. Kevin Mulligan speak about the interest rate cut.
CBC
More women re the breadwinners in Canadian families — but less so if they have kids
Professor Dr. Marina Adshade discussed women’s contributions to household income, labour, and child care.
CBC via Yahoo Australia, Yahoo Canada
