2025 Global Policy Project Symposium: MPPGA Students Address Real-World Policy Challenges
Learn about the capstone Global Policy Project (GP²), and the groups of MPPGA students who are working with clients from around the globe.
Meet Practitioner Fellow Ginette Azcona, Senior Data Policy Specialist at UN Women
Ginette Azcona is senior researcher, data scientist, and policy specialist at UN Women based in New York.
Advancing Gender Equality and Security with Erin Baines and Liliane Pari Umuhoza
SPPGA Professor Erin Baines and MPPGA student Liliane Pari Umuhoza recently presented at the third annual RN-WPS symposium at the University of Ottawa.
SPPGA 2022-23 Annual Report
Learn more about the major research, achievements, and programming of the UBC School of Public Policy and Global Affairs in our 2022-23 annual report.
Harsha Walia Breaks Down Borders: Speaking on Climate Migration, Racial Capitalism and Empire
Canadian activist, writer and organizer Harsha Walia tackles issues of border imperialism, racial capitalism and anti-migrant xenophobia in her recent talk with UBC.
Former IAR Fellow Aim Sinpeng: Women Politicians in Southeast Asia Face Abuse
Former IAR Fellow Aim Sinpeng writes an article about the rise of violence towards female politicians and activists in Southeast Asia.
MPPGA Student Norma Patiño Sánchez Receives 2022 Jamaloddin Khanjani Family Scholarship
Congratulations to UBC Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs (MPPGA) student Norma Patiño Sánchez for receiving the 2022 Jamaloddin Khanjani Family Scholarship.
SPPGA Releases 2021-2022 Annual Report
Learn more about the major research, achievements, and programming of the UBC School of Public Policy and Global Affairs in our 2021-22 annual report.
Scholar Spotlight: Dr. Heidi Tworek
Read more about SPPGA and History Prof. Heidi Tworek’s work on global communications topics such as COIVD-19, online harassment of female politicians, and the war in Ukraine in the Scholar Spotlight series by the Public Humanities Hub at UBC.
Prof. Heidi Tworek: The Online Abuse and Harassment of Women in Politics Must Stop
Prof. Heidi Tworek (SPPGA; History) writes an article about the online abuse and harassment of women in politics.
Prof. Heidi Tworek, Dr. Chris Tenove, MPPGA Students: Online Hate in the Pandemic
Prof. Heidi Tworek, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Chris Tenove, MPPGA alumnus Wilson Dargbeh and MPPGA student Oliver Zhang, publish an article outlining case studies on hate and harassment targeting health communicators during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2022 Global Policy Project Symposium
Leading up to their graduation, MPPGA students from the class of 2022 presented their policy findings at the annual Global Policy Project Symposium held by the UBC School of Public Policy and Global Affairs.
UBC MPPGA Students Graduate Ready to Tackle Urgent Challenges
Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs students are graduating from the UBC School of Public Policy and Global Affairs ready to shape a better world. Learn more from four of our graduates about their experiences in the program, what issues they’re passionate about, and their career aspirations.
Prof. Heidi Tworek, Postdoctoral Research Fellow Chris Tenove: What Women and Racialized Candidates Face on the Campaign Trail.
Prof. Heidi Tworek (SPPGA; History) and Postdoctoral Research Fellow Chris Tenove highlight how female and racialized politicians are more likely to experience harassment online and on campaign trails, and the impact of political violence on communities.
Call for Applications: 2022 Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
The UBC School of Public Policy and Global Affairs welcomes applicants interested in applying for the prestigious Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship Program.
MPPGA Student Shifa Thobani Receives Jamaloddin Khanjani Family Scholarship
Congratulations to Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs (MPPGA) student Shifa Thobani for receiving the Jamaloddin Khanjani Family Scholarship in recognition of her work in the space of menstrual hygiene management with the adolescent girls and women in the villages of India.
MPPGA Students Participate in Research Network on Women, Peace and Security Symposium
MPPGA students Samantha El-Ghazal, Nicole Johnston, and Panthea Pourmalek participated in a Research Network on Women, Peace and Security’s Youth Advisory Board and recent symposium in Montreal, mentored by SPPGA Prof. Erin Baines.
Podcast & Policy Brief – “Prosecution Will Not Solve My Problems:” Women’s Senses of Justice and Reparations After Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Northern Uganda
After living through war, abduction, sexual and gender-based violence, some female survivors in Northern Uganda escaped rebel captivity. Many returned to their communities with children fathered by rebels. Instead of being embraced, community members met survivors and their children with suspicion, rejection, blame and stigmatization. That began a new chapter of hardship in the survivors’ […]
Ketty Anyeko: “Justice is Lived”
Ketty Anyeko (SPPGA Postdoctoral Research Fellow) writes about their doctoral research findings, discussing women’s senses of justice and reparations after wartime sexual violence in Northern Uganda.
MPPGA Students Working Towards Real Policy Impact through Global Policy Project
UBC Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs (MPPGA) student teams have been conducting virtual fieldwork with clients on projects in Canada, India, and Mongolia as part of the 2021-2022 Global Policy Projects.
Ontario Power Is Irresponsible to Consider Another Nuclear Reactor
Professor M. V. Ramana co-authored this piece about why the environmental and public risks of Ontario constructing another nuclear reactor are too high and will detract from mitigating climate change.
Survey on Gender Equality at Home
Professor Tara Cookson worked to create this survey researching COVID-19’s impact on gender norms, unpaid and household care, and access and agency.
Prof. Tara Cookson Awarded Canada Research Chair in Gender, Development, and Global Public Policy
SPPGA Assistant Professor Tara Cookson has been appointed as a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Gender, Development, and Global Public Policy.
Putting Gender Equality at The Centre of Social Protection Strategies in Sub-Saharan Africa: How Far Have We Come?
Professor Tara Cookson co-authors a UN Women policy brief assessing the presence of gender equality and women empowerment considerations in national social protection strategies across sub-Saharan Africa.
Three SPPGA Faculty Members Awarded SSHRC Grants
Three SPPGA faculty, Professors Tara Cookson, Kristen Hopewell, and Heidi Tworek (SPPGA; History have been awarded funding as part of the Insite Development Grants and Partnership Engage Grants competition, offered by the SSHRC.
Fight Against COVID-19 Should Take Gender Equality into Account
As more COVID-19 variants emerge, public health measures remain the top concern of countries worldwide in their attempt to curb the spread of the virus. Professor Tara Cookson discusses how women are adversely affected by restricted human mobility.
Research Network on Women, Peace and Security Launches New Website
The Research Network on Women, Peace and Security has launched a new website. Working together with the Government of Canada’s Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security program, the RN-WPS is a network of leading scholars and practitioners, co-led by Professor Erin Baines, that will investigate the gendered impacts of defence.
Research Network on Women, Peace and Security and MINDS Combine Forces to Address Threats to Well-being of Women and Girls
The Research Network on Women, Peace and Security, an international, bilingual research hub leading a multi-faceted study of the Government of Canada’s Women, Peace and Security agenda, was recently funded $750,000 over three years by the Department of National Defence via the Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security program.
Why Female Political Candidates in Canada are Receiving More Toxicity on Twitter
Professor Heidi Tworek (History; SPPGA) comments on why female political candidates in Canada are receiving more toxicity on social media, and how to deal with it.
MPPGA Global Policy Project Catalogue
We’ve launched the full catalogue of Global Policy Projects from UBC’s Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs students, showcasing their work with clients on real-world policy challenges. Learn about each project, browse policy reports, and view presentations.
SPPGA Releases 2020-2021 Annual Report
The UBC School of Public Policy and Global Affairs has published its 2020-2021 annual report which features our faculty’s research projects, policy engagement, and notable achievements, student and alumni profiles, and our various convening and learning activities.
2021 Global Policy Project Symposium Highlights
As a defining element of UBC’s professional Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs (MPPGA) curriculum, the Global Policy Project (GP2) provides the opportunity for MPPGA students to engage with policy makers and civil society organizations on a real-world policy challenge, in Canada and around the world. Learn more on the Global Policy Project page. On April […]
Covid-19: Fraser Health Becomes “Flexible, Agile and Adaptable” To Cool Hot Spots
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.
Covid-19 Gender Gap: B.C. Women Are Getting Vaccinated at Higher Rates than Men
Gender disparity in B.C. vaccination rates may not be due to vaccine hesitancy or anti-vaccine attitudes, says Professor Heidi Tworek (SPPGA; History). Figuring out if the disparity is about access to information is crucial, she adds.
Covid-19 and Gender-Based Violence: Reflections from a “Data for Development” Project on the Colombia–Venezuela Border
Professor Tara Cookson (SPPGA; Geography) is a co-researcher of the Cosas de Mujeres project, a mobile platform that provides resources to women who face gender-based violence (GBV) and collects data from Venezuela and Colombia.
MPPGA Alumni Participate in BCCIC UN Delegation
MPPGA alumni Christiana O. Onabola and Bashar Alsaeedi have been selected to be part of the BCCIC’s delegation to attend the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW65) happening from March 15-26, 2021. Learn more.
MPPGA Alum Ravina Anand Named Top 50 Canadian Business Changemaker
The UBC School of Public Policy and Global Affairs wishes to congratulate Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs alum Ravina Anand on being selected in the “Top 50 Canadian Business Changemakers” by the Globe and Mail.
How Can a Survivor-Centered Approach Address Sexual Violence?
MPPGA alumni Eseohe Ojo, Ravina Anand and Israa Noureddine co-wrote a piece on why policymaking needs to adapt a survivor-centric approach in addressing sexual violence, while acknowledging discursive gaps, context and cultural understandings.
SPPGA Welcomes Dr. Tara Cookson, Professor in Gender, Development, and Global Public Policy
SPPGA welcomes Dr. Tara Cookson, Professor in Gender, Development, and Global Public Policy. Learn more about her research and commitment to scholar-activism.
MPPGA Students’ Global Policy Project Fieldwork Now Underway
The 2020-2021 Global Policy Projects are now underway, with UBC Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs (MPPGA) student teams conducting virtual fieldwork with clients on seven different projects in Canada, the United States, Singapore, and Nepal throughout December 2020. The fieldwork component is a defining piece of UBC’s professional MPPGA curriculum. Led by School […]
Spotlight on MPPGA Alumni Careers – Series Compilation
During our Spotlight on MPPGA Alumni Careers series, we showcased ten Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs (MPPGA) alumni who are committed to addressing the urgent and complex public policy challenges facing the world. Learn more about them in our series compilation.
The Singapore PAP’s Waning Dominance
Professor Kai Ostwald (SPPGA & UBC Political Science) examines the dwindling dominance of PAP, increased representation of female and ethnic minority members, and the long-term implications of the PAP’s vision. Read more at East Asia Forum.
Global Policy Engagement: A Look Back at the 2019-2020 MPPGA Global Policy Projects
Eight second year student teams completed their immersive Global Policy Projects in various regions around the world throughout 2019 and culminating in spring 2020. The Global Policy Project is a core component of UBC’s professional Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs (MPPGA) program.
Leadership Lessons: How FLIK’s Co-Founder Transformed Her Biggest Problem into a Community She Craved
What does it mean to build your own community? MPPGA alumni Ravina Anand tackles the issue of female representation in the workplace with her venture, FLIK – Female Laboratory of Innovative Knowledge, to build the next generation’s leaders through online apprenticeships. More at Entrepreneurship at UBC.
SPPGA 2019-2020 Annual Report
Learn more about the unique strengths and activities of UBC’s School of Public Policy and Global Affairs and our Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs program in our 2019-2020 Annual Report.
Masculinities + WPS: Forward-Looking Strategies in the Women, Peace and Security Agenda
The Conjugal Slavery in War partnership has published a policy brief titled “Masculinities + WPS,” as part of the series, Forward-Looking Strategies in the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.
Ododo Wa: Stories of Girls in War, an exhibit at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
Ododo Wa: Stories of Girls in War is an exhibit at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights that traces the journey of two girls from Uganda – Evelyn Amony and Grace Acan – who were abducted and held captive for years by a rebel group, the Lord’s Resistance Army.
MPPGA Student Co-Founds Top Emerging Startup to Connect Female Founders and Apprentices
Preparing to be a policy leader takes many forms for Masters of Public Policy and Global Affairs (MPPGA) students. We met with Ravina Anand, current MPPGA 2nd Year student, to find out about her work as Co-Founder of the Female Laboratory of Innovative Knowledge (FLIK).
CIRDI Releases Strategy for Promoting Gender Equality in Natural Resource Governance
UBC’s Canadian International Resources and Development Institute (CIRDI) announces the release of its gender equality strategy, a guiding document for ensuring the Institute’s project work reinforces its foundational value of empowering women and girls through sustainable natural resource governance. Learn more.
The Pub Podcast: Feminism in Practice
In this episode of the Policy Roundtable, host Joshua Diemert sits down with fellow MPPGA student Paige Rumelt to discuss feminism in practice and her work in feminist policy.
MPPGA Students Participate in UBC’s Women in House program
Three MPPGA students are participating in this year’s UBC Women in House program, an innovative and practical program aimed at promoting a greater level of female representation in Canada’s parliament. Learn more about why they’re excited to participate.
Mapping the Development of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda
The report Mapping the Development of the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda provides a historical background of the agenda and highlights major changes in UN Security Council Resolutions over the past 20 years.
Global Policy Project: Broadening the Definition of Sexual Violence
The fieldwork component for the 2019-2020 Global Policy Projects has now been completed by seven UBC Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs (MPPGA) student teams who worked with clients organizations on a policy problem in ten different countries throughout December 2019. Find below a reflection from students whose project focused on broadening the definition […]
Global Policy Project: Gendered Water Access Challenges in Peru’s Agricultural Sector
The fieldwork component for the 2019-2020 Global Policy Projects has now been completed by seven UBC Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs (MPPGA) student teams who worked with clients organizations on a policy problem in ten different countries throughout December 2019. Find below a reflection from students whose project focused on natural resource management, […]
Women’s Participation in the Mining Industry
A new report has been published which provides insights regarding the economic participation of women in the mining industry; the challenges faced by women and girls living within communities affected by mining operations; and the experiences of existing networks that focus on supporting women in mining.
The Pub Podcast: Frictions in the Modern Queer Community
Following Trans Week of Resilience and World AIDS Day, the Policy Roundtable is back with another episode hosted by MPPGA student Joshua Diemert. Alongside Ryan Jamula, an MA student at UBC, and Nicolas Jensen from the MPPGA program, this episode engages in conversation regarding frictions in the modern queer community.