News

UBC ‘body-swap’ robot helps reveal how the brain keeps us upright

November 26, 2025 Researchers in the Faculty of Education’s School of Kinesiology have built a groundbreaking “body-swap” robot that is changing the way scientists understand human balance. This high-tech system allows researchers to safely alter how the body experiences gravity, inertia, and delays in sensory feedback, providing an unprecedented view of how the brain keeps […] More


Against the odds: How a former youth in care found his way from chaos to teaching as a UBC Education grad

November 24, 2025 From foster care to the graduation stage, Jonathan Alvaji’s path to UBC has been shaped by community support, mentorship, hard work and perseverance. On November 26, he’ll cross the stage at a ceremony he once never imagined reaching. Growing up amid consistent family upheaval, Jonathan eventually entered foster care—a decision that changed […] More


Inside Ritsumeikan-UBC House: A Home Away from Home

November 14, 2025 When the first Ritsumeikan students arrived at UBC more than three decades ago, their journey was more than a study abroad experience — it was the start of a living experiment in cultural connection. Their home was a brand-new building at 6460 Agronomy Road: Ritsumeikan-UBC House, a residence created specifically for the UBC–Ritsumeikan Academic Exchange Program. Purpose-built in […] More


A Journey of Friendship and Discovery: Ai’s Story

November 14, 2025 For Ai Nishino, the decision to study abroad through the UBC–Ritsumeikan Academic Exchange Program was simple: she wanted to see the world, improve her English and experience everyday life in another culture. What she didn’t expect was that nine months in Vancouver would shape the course of her life — inspiring a […] More


Infographic: the UBC-Ritsumeiken Academic Exchange Program

Read more stories about the UBC-Ritsumeikan partnership: Celebrating 35 Years of Partnership: The UBC–Ritsumeikan Story Inside Ritsumeikan-UBC House – A Home Away From Home A Journey of Friendship and Discovery: Ai’s Story More


The UBC–Ritsumeikan Story: Celebrating 35 Years of Partnership

November 14, 2025 When the first cohort of students from Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan, arrived on UBC’s Vancouver campus in 1991, few could have imagined the enduring legacy this partnership would create. What began as a bold idea between two universities has grown into UBC’s longest-running academic exchange. Thirty-five years later, the UBC–Ritsumeikan Academic […] More


When research takes centre stage: Theatre, remembrance and the stories that connect us

November 10, 2025 Dr. George Belliveau shares how research-based theatre, from veterans’ stories to global collaborations, is transforming our understanding of trauma, healing and the human experience. Dr. George Belliveau is a professor in UBC’s Faculty of Education and a global leader in research-based theatre – an innovative approach that utilizes theatrical methods to conduct […] More


Dr. Candace Galla appointed UNESCO Co-Chair to advance Indigenous and non-dominant language rights

November 7, 2025 We are delighted to celebrate Dr. Candace Kaleimamoowahinekapu Galla, who has been appointed UNESCO Co-Chair for Rights Education among Indigenous and Non-Dominant Language Communities. The Chairs programme connects scholars and institutions worldwide to promote collaboration and capacity-building in education, cultural heritage, sustainability, and human rights. In this global role, Dr. Galla will […] More


23 Faculty of Education faculty members recognized among the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists

October 28, 2025 23 Faculty of Education members have been recognized among the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists according to Stanford University’s 2025 database. The publicly available database provides standardized information on citations, h-index, co-authorship adjusted hm-index, citations to papers in different authorship positions and a composite indicator (c-score). Calculations were performed using Scopus author […] More


Navigating Cultural Appropriation vs Appreciation this Halloween

October 23, 2025 Dr. Surita Jhangiani shares how curiosity and compassion can help make Halloween more respectful and inclusive. Each October, classrooms buzz with the excitement of Halloween treats, costumes and creativity. Amid the fun, these moments also offer a chance to explore culture, identity, and respect. For Dr. Surita Jhangiani, Associate Professor of Teaching […] More


Community Update | October 2025

October 2025 | published once each term Message from Dean Hare Dear community members, This fall, our Faculty is turning ideas into action. As we finalize our 2026-2031 strategic plan, I’m inspired by how our community has come together to shape our priorities, from supporting our people and spaces to amplifying our teaching, research and […] More


Dr. Cash Ahenakew Reappointed as Canada Research Chair in Indigenous People’s Well-Being

October 22, 2025 Congratulations to Dr. Cash Ahenakew on the renewal of his appointment as Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Indigenous People’s Well-Being. The Canada Research Chairs Program enables Canadian universities to achieve the highest levels of research excellence and become world-class research centres. Chairholders improve our depth of knowledge and quality of life, […] More


Five UBC Education Alumni are Awarded the Regional Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence.

We are delighted to share that UBC Faculty of Education alumni Derek Fournier, BPE’92, BEd’93, May Ng, BA, BEd, Dip (Ed), Michael Hengeveld, BSc’99, MET’18, Andy Brar, BEd’13 & Karen Foster, Dip (Ed)’88 have been recognized with the 2025 Regional Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence. The 2025 Regional Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence is […] More


How to welcome newcomer students to schools in Canada — and why everyone benefits

October 16, 2025 Dr. Anusha Kassan shares how inclusive classrooms support newcomers while helping every student grow and thrive in a global world. The start of the school year brings excitement—and often uncertainty—for many students. For children and teens who are new to Canada, the transition can be especially complex. In addition to navigating new […] More


Mental health matters: strategies to thrive academically and personally

October 10, 2025 October 10 is World Mental Health Day — a reminder that mental health matters to everyone, everywhere. At the Faculty of Education, we’re committed to fostering a supportive environment where students, faculty, and staff can thrive both academically and personally. We spoke with Dayna McCracken, our embedded counsellor, about the importance of […] More


Four UBC Faculty of Education doctoral students welcomed into 11th cohort of Public Scholars Initiative

We are delighted to congratulate UBC Faculty of Education doctoral students Rohene Bouajram, Jafar Iqbal , Naomi Maldonado-Rodriguez, Jiin Yoo on their appointment to the 2025/26 cohort of Public Scholars. More


When we empower teachers to lead, students and communities thrive

October 5, 2025 Dr. Leyton Schnellert reflects on how educators are transforming student learning with inclusive, community-based education Celebrated on October 5, World Teachers’ Day honours educators globally, recognizing their dedication to education and the support they need to fulfill their calling. To mark the occasion, we spoke with Dr. Leyton Schnellert, Associate Professor in […] More


Alannah Young Awarded the UBC Faculty of Education 2025 Reconciliation & Decolonization Award

October 1, 2025 Dean Jan Hare is pleased to announce Alannah Young, MA’06, PhD’15 as the 2025 UBC Faculty of Education Reconciliation and Decolonization Alumni Award recipient. The award acknowledges extraordinary alumni who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, integrity, respect, and commitment to furthering decolonization efforts or reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples or communities, or who have […] More


Levente Mihalik Awarded the UBC Faculty of Education 2025 Alumni Educator of the Year Award

Dean Jan Hare is delighted to announce that Levente Mihalik, BEd’18, MEd’24, has been selected as Alumni Educator of the Year by UBC Faculty of Education. The Alumni Educator of the Year Award was created in 2012 to recognize outstanding achievements by UBC Faculty of Education alumni who are making exceptional impacts in the lives […] More


Truth and Reconciliation Week 2025

September 22, 2025 New Programs + Pathways | Research | Students | News + Alumni | Learn more + Get involved A Message from Dean Hare Truth and Reconciliation Week is a time to reflect on the lasting impacts of the Indian residential school system and to honour the strength and survivance of Indigenous communities. […] More


Reimagining curriculum through Indigenous perspectives

September 17, 2025 A five-year project at UBC Okanagan is transforming K–12 education by centring Indigenous knowledge and relationships to land. The project, Co-Curricular-Making: Honouring Indigenous Connections to Land, Culture and the Relational Self, brought together over 240 educators who worked alongside Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community partners to reimagine curriculum as a shared, evolving […] More


LLED Scholarship Stories: Dr. Patsy Duff

The LLED Scholarship Stories is a video series created to highlight the distinctive and diverse research taking place within the department. These short video interviews are intended to provide a personal introduction to the research interests and teaching practices of our faculty and graduate students. This is the first interview featuring Dr. Patsy Duff, Professor […] More


Building lasting resources through Indigenous knowledge and wellness

September 11, 2025 The Faculty of Education’s Teacher Education Office (TEO) has introduced an innovative new Indigenous Teacher Education Program (NITEP) Project Assistant position—the first of its kind in the Bachelor of Education program. Kadence Cave, an Indigenous artist and NITEP student in her professional year, is the inaugural appointee, bringing her artistic talent, cultural […] More


Dean Jan Hare featured in UBC Today leadership series

September 8, 2025 Dr. Jan Hare, Dean of the Faculty of Education, is featured in UBC Today’s recent Leadership one-on-one series, which profiles senior leaders across the university and explores their experiences, perspectives, and aspirations. In this article, Dean Hare shares her approach to leadership and the principles and values that guide her work within […] More


2025-26 Welcome Message from Dean Hare

September 2, 2025 Aanii – Greetings! Welcome to a new academic year at the UBC Faculty of Education. Whether you’re beginning your journey with us or returning to continue your studies, research, teaching or professional work, I am glad you’re here. As classes get underway, I look forward to meeting and greeting members of our […] More


Dr. Rosalin Miles Receives CIHR Implementation Science Chair in Human Development, Child and Youth Health (Indigenous Pool)

August 28, 2025 We’re delighted to congratulate Dr. Rosalin Miles, MHK’98, on receiving a $1 million CIHR Implementation Science Chair in Human Development, Child and Youth Health (Indigenous Pool). As Chair, Dr. Miles will lead the ShQUooz Circle Program, an Indigenous-led initiative that connects children and youth with aunties, grandmothers, and Knowledge Keepers to share […] More


Kenya’s Dadaab Refugee Camp: Training teachers in one of the world’s largest & longest-running settlements

August 27, 2025 A UBC Faculty of Education–led teacher education initiative enabled more than 300 members of the Dadaab refugee community to earn teaching credentials and become teachers in one of the world’s largest and longest-running refugee settlements in northeastern Kenya. Coordinated by Dr. Samson Nashon and Dr. Rita Irwin, and developed with partners in […] More


Celebrating Faculty of Education External Grant Awardees

August 21, 2025 We are pleased to recognize the following faculty members for their success in the recent external research grant competitions. These awards highlight the depth, breadth, and impact of research excellence across our Faculty, while also strengthening our contributions to scholarship, innovation, and society at large. Congratulations to all recipients and their collaborators […] More


Reclaiming identity and building futures: inside UBC’s Learn-and-Earn pathways program for Indigenous youth

August 8, 2025 Royal, a Grade 11 student in Vancouver, was hoping to deepen her connection to her Indigenous culture and community. “I wanted to learn more,” she says. “To be around people who share similar experiences and to be part of something that helps you grow.” That curiosity led her to Learn-and-Earn, a program […] More


Faculty of Education alum Dr. Ruth Grunau appointed to the Order of British Columbia

  Dr. Ruth Grunau, MA’69, EdD’75, PhD’85. Fifteen people who exemplify excellence will be invested into the Order of British Columbia, the province’s highest honour. Established in 1989, the Order of B.C. recognizes individuals from all walks of life and fields of endeavour who have made extraordinary contributions to the province and beyond. Dr. Ruth […] More