This March, UBC Arts scholars were featured in major outlets including The New York Times, BBC, Al Jazeera, The Independent, The Globe and Mail, and CBC.
Their expertise shaped coverage on everything from geopolitical conflicts, Canada’s shifting immigration landscape, and new research on AI, well-being, and how people respond to global threats.
Department of Asian Studies
For Iranian students and faculty in Canada, renewed conflict brings mix of fear and hope
Dr. Hessam Dehghani reflected on how renewed conflict affected Iranian students in Canada.
Globe and Mail
Why Canadian university’s Cantonese language course is 85% Mandarin speakers
Prof. Raymond Pai commented on shifting language dynamics and growing interest in Cantonese among Mandarin-speaking students.
South China Morning Post
School of Creative Writing
UBC prof’s The Golden Mean set to become Netflix series
Prof. Annabel Lyon was quoted on her acclaimed novel The Golden Mean as it heads to Netflix and how it explores enduring themes of power, identity and curiosity.
Vancouver Sun; CTV News; Richmond News
‘Heated Rivalry’ Creator Jacob Tierney Lands Alexander the Great Drama at Netflix
A new Netflix series by Heated Rivalry creator Jacob Tierney was announced, adapting Prof. Annabel Lyon’s The Golden Mean and its portrayal of the relationship between Alexander the Great and Aristotle.
The Hollywood Reporter; Variety
Annabel Lyon’s novel The Golden Mean gets boost after Netflix deal
Prof. Annabel Lyon, director of the UBC School of Creative Writing, is the next Canadian author to see a significant sales boost to her back catalogue thanks to the Heated Rivalry effect.
The Globe and Mail
Department of English Language and Literatures
Sovereignty over stereotypes: The data behind false Cherokee identity claims in Canada
Prof. Daniel Heath Justice (cross-appointed with the Institute for Critical Indigenous Studies) wrote about how widespread false claims to Cherokee identity in Canada lack evidence and undermine Indigenous sovereignty.
The Conversation
Department of Geography
We’re All Living in the ‘Mirror World’ Now
Prof. Naomi Klein and New York Times columnist and podcast host Ezra Klein discuss what the success of MAGA reveals about the American left.
New York Times
The stakeholders who cheered on the Liberals’ devastating immigration expansion
Prof. Emeritus David Ley’s research was cited in analysis of how immigration continues to shape Canada’s housing and economic landscape.
National Post
Population growth in Canada expected to rely fully on immigration as birth rates decline
Prof. Dan Hiebert explained why immigration was set to become the sole driver of Canada’s population growth.
The News International
Immigration could soon account for all of Canada’s population growth: expert
Dr. Dan Hiebert discussed the policy-driven shift toward immigration as Canada’s primary source of population increase.
Toronto Star
Permitting not to blame for mine delays in the Yukon, researchers say
A Centre for Climate Justice study was cited in coverage examining the factors behind mining project timelines in the Yukon.
CBC
Lots of housing has been approved in Metro Vancouver, despite NDP charges of too much red tape
Research by Prof. Emeritus David Ley was cited in debates over housing supply and regulatory barriers.
Vancouver Sun
Department of History
From CiTR to Chalamet, Nardwuar will always be a random kid from Vancouver
UBC history alum Nardwuar reflected on his rise from CiTR to global fame, building a cult following through his signature, deeply researched interviews.
Ubyssey
School of Journalism
Trump Is Playing a Dangerous Game With Iran
Prof. Peter Klein argued that escalating rhetoric risked further destabilizing an already volatile geopolitical situation.
New York Times
Department of Political Science
Canada to build new military bases after Trump’s threats
Dr. Michael Byers argued Canada’s Arctic defence spending was as much about signalling sovereignty to the U.S. as it was about security.
The Independent
Women are avoiding the very technology that threatens them most, as expert warns of a ‘two-tiered AI economy’ approaching
Prof. Sophie Borwein’s research highlighted how gendered risk perceptions were shaping skepticism toward AI—and could contribute to a widening economic divide.
Fortune
Is the US at war with Iran, why did US, Israel attack Tehran?
Dr. Paul Quirk explained the crucial distinction between a military “attack” and a formal “war” amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Al Jazeera
BC Cuts Climate Agency, Sends Some Staff to Work on Pipelines
Prof. Kathryn Harrison warned that folding climate policy into B.C.’s energy ministry risks sidelining emissions reduction as economic priorities take precedence.
The Tyee
Foreign interference inquiry flagged party races as vulnerable, but none of the Ontario parties have changed their rules
Prof. Stewart Prest weighed in on ongoing vulnerabilities in Canadian political parties despite warnings about foreign interference.
iPolitics
Return or remain? The Iranian diaspora’s new relationship with ‘home’
Dr. Masoud Zamani discussed how renewed conflict reshaped how members of the Iranian diaspora relate to their countries of origin.
Yahoo
Carney heads to Arctic war games as NATO flexes muscle in Norway
Prof. Michael Byers discussed the geopolitical significance of NATO’s growing military presence in the Arctic.
Radio Canada
Political parties on sidelines at city hall after debut on Calgary’s ballot last fall
Prof. Stewart Prest explained the tension between expectations of open debate and the realities of party discipline in municipal politics.
CBC
Vancouver mayor’s apologies won’t fix Orr misinformation controversy, says expert
Prof. Stewart Prest commented on the limits of political apologies in restoring public trust following misinformation disputes.
CityNews Vancouver
B.C. travel across U.S. border declines for 13th straight month
Dr. Stewart Prest discussed why more Canadians were choosing to avoid travel across the U.S. border.
Vancouver Is Awesome
PR firms and lobbyists gave thousands to UCP in 2025
Dr. Maxwell Cameron warned that political donations from interest groups could distort democratic decision-making.
Hamilton Spectator
Cranbrook may limit campaign signs ahead of 2026 municipal election
Prof. Richard Johnston commented on proposed changes to local election rules and their implications for campaign visibility.
CBC
School of Public Policy and Global Affairs
As volunteers vanish, Canadian political campaigns turn to AI
Dr. Chris Tenove spoke about the promise and risks of using AI tools in political campaigns, cautioning that greater micro-targeting can contribute to information pollution and fragment political discourse.
Canadian Affairs
Department of Psychology
Texting a Random Stranger Better for Loneliness Than Talking to a Chatbot, Study Shows
A newly published UBC psychology study of how college students interact with chatbots and human strangers showed talking to a random person offers more connection than an LLM.
CBC; 404 Media
5 science-backed rules for turning money into long-term happiness
Dr. Elizabeth Dunn notes that as income rises, small pay increases bring less happiness, so jobs that add stress or cut family time can outweigh their benefits.
BBC Science Focus
Apocalyptic ‘end of the world’ beliefs are increasingly mainstream, research reveals
Research led by Dr. Matthew Billet found that apocalyptic beliefs were widespread—and shaped how people responded to major global challenges.
The Independent; Eurasia Review; AOL; Phys.org; Ledger Enquirer; The Daily Mail
School of Social Work
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada announces a judicial appointment in the province of Alberta
UBC Social Work alum Justice Parminder K. Johal was appointed to the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta.
Yahoo Finance
Department of Sociology
Your teen is likely seeing ‘looksmaxxing’ content online. Here’s what you need to know
Dr. Amin Ghaziani explained how online trends like “looksmaxxing” intersect with gender performance and identity.
CBC
Vancouver School of Economics
Finland tops world happiness rankings again as Thailand slips to 52nd
Prof. Emeritus John F. Helliwell pointed to social trust and cooperation as key drivers behind Finland’s continued ranking as the world’s happiest country.
The Star; Financial Express; Radio New Zealand
American youths are miserable — despite happier young people in the rest of the world
Prof. Emeritus John F. Helliwell commented on declining happiness among Gen Z in countries like the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, pointing to differences in how social media is used as a possible factor.
New York Post
One year after Trump’s sovereignty threats, Canadians keep ‘elbows up’
Dr. Michael Devereux said shifting perceptions of the U.S. have reshaped Canadian attitudes toward national identity and sovereignty.
CNBC
