PhD Candidate Martina Zago receives SSHRC funding for project investigating historical European definitions of “civilization”
Martina’s dissertation explores European debates over civilization, barbarism, and savagery in relation to extra-European states and peoples during the age of ‘modern Orientalism,’ 1798-1945. She argues some of the most interesting meaning-makers in this context were visual artists who took to heart the task of defining and contesting the boundaries of what was then considered civilized, barbarous, and savage.
Prof. Jenny Peterson awarded funding for Intergenerational Connections & Futures for Afghan Scholars Program
Part of the $1.096 million dollar grant from the International Development Research Centre will go towards connecting Afghan students with Afghan scholars and activists to discuss possible ‘pathways’ for a socio-politically forward looking Afghanistan through Dr. Jenny Peterson’s “Intergenerational Connections and Futures” project.
Prof. Sheryl Lightfoot joins group on truth, reconciliation and justice in UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
Along with other Indigenous members of the United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Professor Sheryl Lightfoot will work in post-conflict areas for lasting peace that respects the rights of Indigenous Peoples and promotes their full and effective inclusion.
Scope Conditions Episode 2.8: Social Media and Authoritarian Regimes with Prof. Alexandra Siegel
UBC Professors Alan Jacobs and Yang-Yang Zhou discuss the nuanced relationship between social media and authoritarian regimes with University of Colorado Boulder Assistant Professor Alexandra Siegel in the latest episode of Scope Conditions.
The return of oligarchy? Threats to representative democracy in Latin America
Maxwell Cameron discusses the classical theory of oligarchy, examines the use of the concept in contemporary theories of comparative politics and describes oligarchic modes of rule in Latin America’s hierarchical market economies.
Scope Conditions Episode 2.7: Europe’s Hidden Legal Architects with Dr. Tommaso Pavone
Dr. Tommaso Pavone says that the real architects of EU ascendancy were a ragtag band of entrepreneurial lawyers who coaxed reluctant judges into referring cases up to the European Court of Justice – even to the point of writing the judges’ referrals for them.
Prof. Jenny Peterson awarded a Killam Teaching Prize
Congratulations to Professor Jenny Peterson who has been awarded a UBC Killam Teaching Prize. Dr. Peterson joins an elite group of committed and talented instructors recognized by UBC at this level.
Vladimir Putin, the czar of macho politics, is threatened by gender and sexuality rights
Putin’s regime has increasingly relied on very conventional gender and sexual norms. Prof. Lisa Sundstrom co-wrote about the connection between Russian president Vladimir Putin’s animosity toward Ukraine and gender and sexuality rights in Russia and around the world.
Dr. Kathryn Harrison: The political opportunities and challenges of Canada’s new $9.1B climate plan
Prof. Kathryn Harrison evaluates the promises and challenges of Canada’s new 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan writing, “It’s hard to fathom Canada reducing its emissions by 40 per cent to 45 per cent in just eight years unless the necessary regulations are finalized in the next one to three years without being watered down.”
Dr. Lisa Sundstrom’s new book explains how non-governmental organizations mediate issues in global governance
Prof. Lisa Sundstrom and Laura Henry’s new book, Bringing Global Governance Home: NGO Mediation in the BRICS States combines insights from international relations and comparative politics to explain the dilemmas and strategies of NGO mediation in case studies on HIV/AIDS, climate change, sustainable forestry, and corporate social responsibility.