Liu Scholars

About

The Liu Scholars Program was created in 2009 to bring together exceptional PhD students from across UBC to facilitate interdisciplinary research on global issues and to strengthen global networks.

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The program has close to 300 Alumni

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Scholars have organized & received funding for upwards of 350 projects

Since 2021, the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs (SPPGA) has been selecting students enrolled in a UBC Ph.D. program to carry out work on a few identified themes for the year. The projects will be carried out, in collaboration with, or under the mentorship of, one or more core faculty members at SPPGA. Preference would be given to students not already working with a SPPGA faculty member or having a SPPGA faculty member on their Ph.D. committees.

The themes for 2024-25 are social protection, development, food security, human rights, international trade, militarization, warfare, data, algorithmic governance, energy policy, and climate policy.

How To Apply

Applications are currently closed.

To apply for the Liu Scholar program, propose a project with a definite output (i.e., a paper, a report, gallery exhibition) to be carried out in collaboration with, or under the mentorship of, a member of the core faculty at SPPGA. Proposed projects should be clearly related to the proposed themes listed above and demonstrate relevance to public policy and global issues. Once accepted, you will be designated a Liu Scholar for one year, with the start date to be decided with the supervisor. An award amount of $2000 will be released at the end of the year, when you submit the output and your SPPGA mentor or collaborator approves it.

Eligibility Requirements:

Current UBC doctoral students in any year from any discipline

Selection Criteria:

  • Academic Excellence
  • Quality of Proposal
  • Project relevance to public policy and global issues

Application Process

  1. Complete the online application form.
  2. Include:
    • a copy of your CV (max 2 pages)
    • post-graduate level transcripts (unofficial accepted)

For any additional questions regarding the Liu Scholars program or application process, please email mppga.program@ubc.ca.

 

Meet the Liu Scholars

 

Select Projects & Publications

Gallery Exhibits

 

Publications

 

Global Student Research Networks

Supporting interdisciplinary and collaborative exchange on pressing global issues.

The Liu Institute global research networks support interdisciplinary and collaborative exchange on pressing global issues. Created and managed by Liu Scholars, with faculty support, these networks strengthen ties between faculty and students, host conferences and events, and facilitate field research and dialogue on key themes.

Liu Institute Network for Africa

Africa is transforming as the continent addresses various global issues. Stakeholders continue to discuss and shape this transformation through diverse platforms.

Liu Institute Network for Africa (LINA) has been formed to be a diasporic, scholarly platform, operating from UBC that contributes to the discussion from a multidisciplinary perspective. We aim to create an active forum for research on global issues as applicable to Africa and the rest of the world. Relevant activities will include among others facilitated dialogues, (conferences, workshops, seminars, etc.) and print (working papers, periodic volumes, etc.).

Hopefully, this initiative will contribute to shaping Africa’s transformation through high-impact academic and community research that has relevant policy significance.

Membership is open to both African and non-African graduate students and faculty members with similar research interests.

Please check the LINA website below if you are interested in becoming a member.

 

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