Alumnus Nojang Khatami highlights the role of the arts in the struggle against Iranian authoritarianism
“Their actions—through song and dance, artistic interventions and performances—illustrate the multiplicity of forms through which democratic agency can be enacted and mobilized,” writes UBC Political Science alumnus Nojang Khatami. “Their hard-fought and ongoing efforts demand that we… appreciate their struggle.
Prof. Kathryn Harrison on the boldness, riskiness, and power of activism in climate politics
“Civil disobedience is an act of public communication,” Prof. Harrison says in this CBC article. “It’s someone saying, ‘I am so frightened or I am so disturbed by an injustice that I am willing to put myself on the line to try to change your mind,’”
Visiting Prof. Swaran Singh writes on the Indian defense sector’s potential
“In fact many sectors in India have lately begun talking of being on the ‘cusp of a revolution,'” writes Prof. Singh, “promising transformative early harvests of impressive outcomes.” As Prof. Singh highlights in his op-ed, though, the Indian weapons industry especially shows promise.
Win a one-week study trip to Brussels: join the Schuman Challenge 2022’s essay competition
The Schuman Challenge is open to university students at all academic levels—undergrad, postgrad and doctoral studies. To participate, entrants must write a short essay on the following topic: Paradigm shift? What does the EU’s response to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine mean for the future of its foreign policy?
Prof. Xiaojun Li’s research cited in article on rising tensions between China and Taiwan
The survey conducted by Prof. Li and colleagues, which involved over 2,000 Chinese citizens from UBC and NUS, found that “while three-quarters weren’t willing to accept a future without unification, support for more peaceful methods of achieving that goal were just as popular as war.”
Sessional Call for Applicants (2022W2 and 2023S)
The Department of Political Science invites applications to teach in Winter Session Term 2 (Jan-April 2023) and Summer Sessions (May-June, July-August 2023).
Prof. Max Cameron quoted on Mélanie Joly discussing Ukraine and Venezuela at Americas summit
Speaking specifically about the country’s involvement in Ukraine, Cameron said “it doesn’t seem as if the (Canadian) government has been particularly proactive in the diplomatic context in the Western Hemisphere, or in other spheres…”
Op-Ed: Prof. Michael Byers discusses Norway’s “balancing act” amidst war in Ukraine
“The Norwegian military is on high alert,” writes Prof. Cameron, noting the dangers of Russian armies so close to the country’s borders. Still, their exports go to support European countries holding out against Russia, leading to a dangerous balancing act.
Prof. Lisa Sundstrom quoted in article about Russian, Ukrainian, and US leaders’ influence in Ukrainian war
Prof. Lisa Sundstrom says that during the recent UN General Assembly, “Zelenskyy had the air of a man who had no appetite for conceding anything.” His proposal of a five-point plan for peace shows his justified defiance, she highlights.
Interview with Anastasiia Lapatina, Ukrainian war correspondent and UBC Political Science student
Fourth-year Political Science student Anastasiia Lapatina reflects on her time in Ukraine, shares her thoughts on the state of the war, and how it feels to be back in Canada.