It is with deep gratitude that the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs bids farewell to Professor Moura Quayle, a distinguished thought leader who has made an indelible mark on UBC’s academic community. With a career spanning numerous leadership roles at UBC and beyond, Moura’s contributions to academia, faculty development, and the advancement of public policy education have left a transformative legacy.
“Moura has continuously pushed boundaries and reimagined what is possible in academia and her efforts in fostering interdisciplinary connections, and again, in bringing design principles into decision making, have enriched our university and beyond.”
Moura was Professor and founding Director of UBC’s School of Public Policy and Global Affairs (2017-2019), the former Director of the Liu Institute for Global Issues, and taught in the Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs program. During this time, she spearheaded the design and development of The Policy Studio, creating a space and pedagogy for students to co-create, test, and launch solutions to complex, globally oriented problems using the strategic design method.
In addition to her work with SPPGA, Moura held pivotal roles as Deputy Minister of the B.C. Ministry of Advanced Education, B.C. Commissioner of Pacific Coast Collaborative, Dean of UBC’s Faculty of Land and Food Systems, and Associate VP, Academic Programs at UBC Okanagan. She has also served as Chair of Genome Canada and authored a book, Designed Leadership, published by Columbia University Press in July 2017.
“Maybe it's just that flair, maybe it's that political side, maybe it's just the ability to bring people together. It's something that I've always admired. Moura, the first thing that you do is you bring people together. You're a positive force.”
Throughout her career, Professor Quayle’s approach to teaching and research has focused on rethinking and refining collaborative spaces at the intersections of academia, government, business, and civil society. Her passion for strategic design and designed leadership—skills that empower students and organizations to tackle big picture problems—has brought a fresh, often surprising perspective that continues to cultivate new ways of thinking.
Moura’s influence also extended well beyond the classroom and academic boardrooms. Known affectionately as an “office florist,” she had a unique way of transforming spaces with her thoughtful inclusion of flowers, which added vibrancy and life to the work environment. Moura’s innate ability to bring warmth, color and a unique lens to everything she engaged with—whether through her physical environment, her relationships with colleagues, or the academic programs she developed, will be greatly missed.
Whether mentoring students or collaborating with fellow scholars, Moura fostered an environment of creativity, innovation, and forward-thinking collaboration. In celebration of her outstanding professional legacy, we wish her all the best as she enjoys her golden years, continuing to travel, learn new languages, and inspire others in new and exciting ways.
“Moura is one of those academics that inspires you and helps you to reach new horizons, think beyond academic boundaries, and creatively seek to positively impact organizations, community, this country, and beyond. Her intellectual legacy coined under the term “strategic design” will live in the minds and mindsets of many students and colleagues that work with her.”
“My mother told me that when I got my assistant professor position back in the Department of Plant Science—which is where the landscape architecture program was back in 1983—for the princely salary of $30, 000, my father apparently said: ‘Moura will be okay now from now on. She is at UBC.’”
