This month, UBC Arts faculty were featured in media outlets including CBC, BBC, Politico, The Washington Post, and Forbes. Their expertise informed stories ranging from the real-world history behind The Odyssey and the global story of pepper to AI and online regulation, B.C. politics, and the science of happiness and well-being.
Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions
How AI will fragment the internet
Dr. Heidi Tworek said a single global standard for AI language models and freedom of expression is unlikely, noting that differing national approaches make universal regulation difficult to achieve.
Politico
Department of Ancient, Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies
‘The Odyssey’: Who were the real-life people from the sea?
Dr. Megan Daniels said the Sea Peoples were both a symptom and a cause of Bronze Age instability, noting that migration and raiding often emerged as responses to wider social and environmental disruptions.
Mashable
Department of Asian Studies
A daily grind — The story of pepper
Dr. Sebastian Prange discussed the history of pepper, exploring how its global trade shaped economies, cultures, and connections across the medieval world.
ABC Radio
Department of Geography
Analysis: 84% of nations miss deadline to identify ‘nature-harming’ subsidies by 2025
Dr. Jessica Dempsey said she would “absolutely” consider fossil-fuel subsidies to be biodiversity-harming, not only as a driver of climate change, but also because the extraction of fossil fuels can cause localised harms to biodiversity.
Carbon Brief
10 essential reads to understand the impact of AI
Naomi Klein’s book Doppelganger is featured in the list.
CBC
Department of History
How inevitable was the rise of the Chinese communist party?
Dr. Timothy Cheek argues that the rise of the Chinese Communist Party was not inevitable, but shaped by historical circumstances, including political instability, warfare, and individual decisions that determined China’s path in the 20th century.
History Today
Department of Political Science
Vancouver mayor asks premier for urgent action on foreign influence at City Hall
Dr. Max Cameron said public hearings should prioritize residents and those directly affected by council decisions, but criticized the mayor’s decision to involve police, arguing the issue should be handled as a political matter rather than a criminal one.
Vancouver Sun
Former B.C. Liberal MLA says centrist party is the answer for voters tired of ‘extremes’
Dr. Stewart Prest said some of B.C. Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay’s caucus appointments could alienate voters and create space for a centrist alternative, though he noted the province’s first-past-the-post system makes it difficult for smaller parties to gain traction.
CBC
BC Conservatives hire an Alberta separatist and far-right media figure
Dr. Stewart Prest said the B.C. Conservatives’ recent hires signal a deliberate shift away from traditional provincial Conservative politics toward a style closer to U.S. MAGA Republicanism, reflecting a broader strategic direction under leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay.
The Tyee
Vancouver mayor’s office inquired about public plaza, FOI reveals
Dr. Max Cameron said the case raises questions about the relationship between elected officials and political staff, potential conflicts of interest, and whether decisions serve the public interest, noting that even the appearance of a conflict can damage public trust.
CTV News
Is there room for an oil shipping terminal at Roberts Bank with a second container port planned?
Dr. Kathryn Harrison said the lack of clear answers about the project highlights a rushed decision-making process, noting that major projects would typically move forward only after key details have been resolved.
The Province
Why bridge and tunnel politics helped make the B.C.-Ottawa pipeline truce happen
Dr. Stewart Prest said the deal appears to be the solution that makes the most sense, describing it as an efficient political calculation.
CBC
Department of Psychology
How to have a happier vacation
Dr. Elizabeth Dunn said vacation happiness can begin before a trip starts, noting that anticipation, shared experiences, and planning can boost well-being. She also highlighted the benefits of local getaways, new experiences, and reducing phone use while travelling.
The Washington Post
Family who lost 12-year-old son to cancer says ‘we are choosing to live’ by sharing in his passion
Dr. Ingrid Söchting said understandings of grief have shifted away from the idea of moving through fixed stages, highlighting the concept of “continuing loving bonds” as a way people can honour loved ones while living alongside loss.
CBC
Stop shaming yourself into better habits. Science says this emotion works better
Drs. Jiaying Zhao and Elizabeth Dunn argued that positive emotions such as joy are more effective than guilt or shame for building lasting habits, including climate-friendly behaviours, and suggested focusing on positive additions rather than restrictions.
Forbes
Department of Sociology
Narcissistic leaders more likely to oppose remote work, new research suggests
Dr. Sylvia Fuller said employer demands for a full return to the office may be influenced by leaders’ personal preferences and motivations, not only organizational needs, highlighting that workplace decisions are shaped by both employee and employer interests.
CBC
Why does the World Cup feel bigger in a crowd?
Dr. Neil Armitage said the World Cup’s appeal comes partly from people’s desire to come together and be part of something larger than themselves, helping explain the popularity of crowded watch parties.
CBC
Department of Theatre and Film
Obsession becomes highest-grossing film with budget under $1M US
Dr. Ernest Mathijs said the filmmakers’ experience making short YouTube films has allowed them to refine their craft at a young age and move through the filmmaking learning curve faster than previous generations.
CBC
School of Public Policy and Global Affairs
As Chinese economy slows, experts say there will be ‘problems for Beijing’
Dr. Juliet Lu said China’s economic challenges have led consumers to become more cautious with spending, as many households have been affected by property market losses, pandemic-era impacts, and pressures on workers from an export-driven economy.
Al Jazeera
How the federal government’s proposed digital regulator would work
Dr. Heidi Tworek said Canada’s approach to online safety regulation is unusual because the new body will oversee both privacy and online safety responsibilities, unlike some countries that separate the two functions.
City News
Vancouver School of Economics
Carney looking at ‘all options’ as Trump announces 50% tariffs on Canada
Dr. Michael Devereux said new tariffs targeting goods previously exempt under USMCA represent a significant escalation and signal the Trump administration’s opposition to the trade agreement it negotiated in 2018.
BBC
What happens to CUSMA on July 1? The paths ahead as review set to begin
Dr. Michael Devereux said the uncertainty surrounding CUSMA highlights the need for greater stability and certainty.
Global News
