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The School of Public Policy and Global Affairs welcomes Wahid Palash as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. He will be working with Nadja Kunz, Assistant Professor and Canada Research Chair in Mine Water Management and Stewardship.

The consequences of extreme weather events on energy grids are long-term, warns Professor Milind Kandlikar (SPPGA; Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability). Utility providers will have to consider how to cope with high-energy usage in future extreme weather, he adds (paywall).

“Criticism crosses a threshold when it sensationalizes Chinese actions and stigmatizes individuals or groups with connections to China.” Read the op-ed Professor Paul Evans co-authored on navigating tensions between Canada and China.

Read the transcribed roundtable discussion Professor Max Cameron (SPPGA; Political Science) collaborated on, which centered on six themes and a broad range of topics pertaining to development, politics, and economics in Latin America.

In an op-ed for the National Observer, Professor David Boyd (SPPGA; IRES) and others discuss Bill C-28, the first federal recognition that all people in Canada have the right to a healthy environment, as well as the bill’s limitations.

Nuclear expert Professor Ramana gave comments regarding the Taishan Unit 1 reactor’s recent gas leak. The EDF’s decision to consult the U.S. government suggests concern with accessing critical information about the gas leak, he says (paywall).

We are thrilled to celebrate our MPPGA Class of 2021 and feature four recent graduates, Muhialdin Bakini, Paige Rumelt, Sumaiyyah Adam, and Boyd Hayes. Learn about their most memorable experiences in the 20-month MPPGA program, what issues they are most passionate about, and their career aspirations now that they have achieved their degree.

In a co-authored piece for The Diplomat, SPPGA Professor Julian Dierkes and others reflect on the tumultuous events that have led to Khurelsukh’s presidential victory.

In her latest publication, SPPGA Professor Kristen Hopewell argues that the EU has taken the lead in defending the established order of the WTO, despite the focus on U.S. and China’s rising trade tensions under the Trump administration.

In a co-authored op-ed for The Globe and Mail, Professor Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries) and others empathize how aligning ocean management partnership and Indigenous worldviews plays a crucial part in Canada achieving its UNDRIP responsibility.

SPPGA Professor Paul Evans was featured in an episode of Counterpoint to discuss the rising trade tensions between Canada, China, and the U.S., as well as how the breakdown in Canada/China diplomacy occurred.

“The tone is different, but the bigger picture of framing China as an adversary has little difference between the Trump and Biden administration.” SPPGA Prof Paul Evans gave comments about vaccine politics on an episode of CBC On The Coast.

Alberta’s push to build small modular reactors (SMRs) is a ‘greenwashing’ solution for the tar sands, says SPPGA Professor Ramana. He cites rising costs, long approval periods and unknown risks as reasons why SMRs are not viable solutions to reduce emissions.

In response to B.C. easing restrictions, Professor Heidi Tworek (SPPGA; History) suggests that mental health resources should also be included. This can help people who struggle with social interaction after a year of quarantine, she adds.

In a piece for the Social Science Research Council, Professor Heidi Tworek (SPPGA; History) explains the fixation on statistics during Covid-19. While used as a main tool of health communication, statistics can also obscure the inequitable effects on racialized populations.

SPPGA Professor Paul Evans gave comments on the Albertan government’s decision to suspend its four major universities from pursuing partnerships with people or organizations linked to Beijing or the Chinese Communist Party (paywall).

“This book provides a convincing case that future thinking, time-literacy, and an engagement with deep-time is highly important.” Read the latest book review by Martin Gren on SPPGA Postdoctoral Fellow Vincent Ialenti’s “Deep Time Reckoning.”

In an op-ed for CIGI regarding what Canadian lawmakers can learn from the U.K.’s new Online Safety Bill, Professor Heidi Tworek (SPPGA; History) believes that transparency reports and their metrics should not create perverse incentives to silence the very communities whom the legislation is designed to help.

On the latest episode of Capital Daily, Professor Heidi Tworek (SPPGA; History), shares how rethinking vaccine hesitancy, institutionalizing health communications and understanding accessibility is key to moving forward in Covid-19. (24:38 mark)

“Once you’re a fixture on TV, the odds of getting invited back for something beyond your expertise are quite good.” Professor Heidi Tworek (SPPGA; History) gave comments on Ashish Jha’s presence as an everyman expert in the media.

Distinguishing between vaccine hesitancy and lack of access is important, notes Professor Heidi Tworek (SPPGA; History). Communication to explain the process of registering for a vaccine and booking a shot could ease confusion, she adds.

Data on age groups that have been vaccinated could encourage people to register for their vaccine, says Professor Heidi Tworek (SPPGA; History). Yet, the B.C. government continues to be criticized for its lack of transparency of Covid-19 data.

Professor Sheryl Lightfoot (SPPGA; Political Science) expressed her disappointment that the UBC Finance Committee finalized its 2021/2022 budget without consulting any Indigenous persons. This should be the last UBC budget that does its business this way, she adds.

The ‘Xinjiang Documentation Project,’ a collaborative resource by SPPGA and Simon Fraser University’s Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies was mentioned in a piece for the Georgia Straight on the divergence of opinions on the Uyghur genocide.

The SSHRC-funded Partnership Development Grant ‘Expertise, Labour, and Mobility in Nepal’s Post-Conflict, Post-Disaster Reconstruction’ released two policy briefs on reconstructing Nepal regarding finance and law following the 2015 earthquake. Each brief was produced by a team led by Principal Investigator, Professor Sara Shneiderman (SPPGA; Anthropology).

The global ocean economy has the potential to grow to $3 trillion by 2030, according to Professor Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA; Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries). Yet, Canada’s blue economy lags greatly behind due to declines in wild stocks & salmon farming.