“Jordan embodied what it means to be a scholar who really cared about people, and who approached problems with a global outlook. We are deeply grateful to his family, friends, and colleagues for establishing this award, which will support MPPGA students who share Jordan's dedication to making a meaningful difference in their communities.”
The School of Public Policy and Global Affairs (SPPGA) at the University of British Columbia is honoured to announce the establishment of the Jordan Levi-Matin Memorial Award in Public Policy and Global Affairs, a lasting tribute to a scholar, storyteller, and passionate advocate for the transformative power of education.
The inaugural award for the 2025/26 winter session has been granted to Mehre Dlir. Mehre is an exceptional year one MPPGA student who has contributed to her community by advancing equity, inclusion, and access to opportunity, particularly for women, youth, and newcomers. After graduation, she aims to design and implement health policies that are grounded in human rights and informed by lived experience.
About the Award
This annual award has been made possible through an endowment generously established by Jordan’s family, friends, and colleagues. The award is open to students enrolled in the Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs (MPPGA) program who are in good academic standing and who demonstrate an intention to give back to their community upon completion of their studies. Awards are made on the recommendation of the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, in consultation with the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
Remembering Jordan Levi-Matin
Jordan Levi-Matin (1982–2025) was a multidisciplinary scholar whose intellectual curiosity ranged widely across International Relations, Middle Eastern Studies, and Cultural Anthropology. A UBC alumnus (B.A. 2004, M.A., Ph.D. 2014), Jordan’s academic journey was complemented by a deep commitment to creative expression — as a media producer, journalist, and documentary filmmaker.
Through his work, Jordan conducted thoughtful conversations with scholars and thinkers on topics spanning archaeology, philosophy, religion, psychology, morality, history, and politics. He was a devoted supporter of education and believed deeply in its power to change lives, demonstrated by his commitment to offering mentorship and financial support to students in under-resourced countries.
The award reflects the values Jordan embodied: intellectual openness, a commitment to community, and a belief that education is one of the most meaningful gifts we can share.
