A resource list of previously recorded EDI.I events hosted by UBC Applied Science. Scroll through recording on past panels, and speaker series to further your path towards anti-oppression and Indigeneity.
Recorded Resources - Past EDI.I Events
Browse past EDI.I events
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May 27
Combating anti-Asian Racism and Xenophobia: Toward a Model of Pandemic Anti-racism Education in Post-Covid-19 Canada
12:00pm - 2:00pm | 6250 Applied Science Lane
Image Canada is often positioned as a global model of multiculturalism, but what happens when that narrative is disrupted?In this talk, Dr. Shibao Guo will examine how COVID-19 reignited anti-Asian racism and xenophobia, particularly targeting Chinese Canadians. Using critical discourse analysis, this presentation critically analyses incidents against Chinese Canadians who were reported in popular press during the pandemic pertaining to anti-Asian and anti-Chinese racism and xenophobia in multicultural Canada. To combat and eliminate racism, he will propose a framework of pandemic anti-racism education for the purpose of achieving social justice in post-COVID-19 Canada.The event will begin with a presentation, followed by a Q&A session, and conclude with an informal networking period for attendees to connect with Dr. Guo. Refreshments will be provided. This is a hybrid event, and the Zoom link will be shared the day prior.This session aims to advance anti-racist awareness and action across campus and is therefore open to all members of the UBC community.Speaker Bio:Dr. Shibao Guo is Professor at the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary. He is specialized in transnational migration and diaspora studies, internationalization of higher education, international student mobility, and lifelong learning. Dr. Guo has over 250 publications, including books, journal articles, and book chapters. His latest book is: Reimagining Chinese diasporas in a transnational world (Routledge, 2024). He is former president of the Comparative and International Education Society of Canada and Canadian Ethnic Studies Association. Currently he is co-editor of Canadian Ethnic Studies. Since 2023 Dr. Guo has been named among the world’s top 2% most-cited scientist in the Stanford/Elsevier rankings.
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Apr 17
Kairos Blanket Exercise
10:00pm - 12:00pm | UBC Farm (3461 Ross Drive; University Endowment Lands)
The Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship JEDI team is delighted to host the KAIROS Blanket Exercise, facilitated by Moontide Reconciliation, an official KAIROS team. This event is supported by APSC EDI.I Office. This event is offered as part of the IDEAL and the Cascades of Change: Inclusive Leadership and Respectful Engagement programs. However, this session is open to all members of the UBC community.The Blanket Exercise is an experiential learning opportunity to immerse yourself in 400 years of Canadian colonial history told from the perspective of Indigenous peoples. Participants have shared that they found the experience deeply moving, essential to understanding Canadian history and highly recommended.Wear: Appropriate clothing and footwear for an open field, if sunny bring a hat and sunscreen. Shade is limited.
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Feb 26
Black Excellence in STEM: Microbiome of ‘Success’: Cultivating Resilience from Roots to Ecosystems by Dr. Zelalem Taye
5:30pm - 7:00pm | 6250 Applied Science Lane
This event is the fourth and last offering of the student-led Black Excellence in STEM (BEST) Speaker Series, organized by the Faculty of Applied Science and supported by the UBC stEAR (Strategic Equity and Anti-Racism) Enhancement Fund. Dr. Taye leads an interdisciplinary research group studying agricultural, forest, and urban ecosystems, with a focus on ecosystem productivity, sustainability, and resilience under global change.His team collaborates closely with experts in soil science, plant science, plant pathology, plant breeding, computer science, and statistics, among other fields. Their work combines wet-lab and field research with computational and data-driven approaches to better understand and support climate-resilient ecosystems.In his talk, Dr. Taye will share his academic journey, the lessons he has learned along the way, and an overview of the research directions his lab is pursuing, akin to how resilience develops from soil microbes to entire ecosystems. Following this talk, attendees will have the opportunity to ask Dr. Taye questions and connect with him during a networking session. Register now to join the conversation and be inspired!
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Feb 23
Black Excellence in STEM - How Learning Works: Living Sober in a Time of Excess by Dr. Kemi Ola
5:30pm - 7:00pm | 6250 Applied Science Lane
This event is the third offering of the student-led Black Excellence in STEM (BEST) Speaker Series, organized by the Faculty of Applied Science and supported by the UBC stEAR (Strategic Equity and Anti-Racism) Enhancement Fund. Dr. Ola describes herself as a storyteller and community builder, drawing inspiration from her parents, and places this at the heart of her work as an educator and researcher at UBC.She teaches introductory programming and data visualization, supporting students as they build confidence and fluency in computing. As a researcher, her work focuses on removing barriers to learning, developing support structures that address common misconceptions, and examining the socio-emotional factors that influence learning.At the heart of her work is a commitment to creating inclusive and supportive teaching and learning communities in computing. To advance this goal, Dr. Ola coordinates teaching assistant training programs, organizes conferences, workshops, and faculty support groups, conducts education research, explores inclusive pedagogy and most importantly, she continues to tell stories that bring people together.In this talk, Dr. Ola draws on her research and teaching experience to explore how students learn, thrive, and navigate a world suffering from excess. Following the talk, attendees will have an opportunity to ask Dr. Ola questions and engage with her during the networking session.
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Feb 10
Black Excellence in STEM: Swimming to UBC Like a Fish by Dr. Rashid Sumaila
5:30pm - 7:00pm | 6250 Applied Science Lane
This event is the second offering of the student-led Black Excellence in STEM (BEST) Speaker Series, organized by the Faculty of Applied Science and supported by the UBC stEAR (Strategic Equity and Anti-Racism) Enhancement Fund. Dr. Rashid Sumaila is a Professor and Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Interdisciplinary Ocean and Fisheries Economics at UBC’s Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries and the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs. His research examines how economics can be used to protect marine ecosystems, with a focus on fisheries subsidies, marine protected areas, illegal fishing, climate change, marine plastic pollution, and oil spills. Through this work, Dr. Sumaila bridges science, economics, and policy to address some of the most urgent environmental challenges facing our oceans.Internationally recognized for his impact, Dr. Sumaila regularly advises global institutions including the United Nations and the World Trade Organization. His contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Volvo Environment Prize (2017), election as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and the 2023 Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement.In “Swimming to UBC Like a Fish,” Dr. Sumaila will recount the twists and turns of his academic journey, discuss how his work connects science, economics, and policy, and reflect on what it means to build impact at UBC. Following the talk, attendees will have the opportunity to ask Dr. Sumaila questions and connect with him during a networking session. Register now to join the conversation and be inspired!
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Feb 3
Black Excellence in STEM: How to Build Cool Things, Break The Rules, and Stay Audacious by Coralie Tcheune
5:30pm - 7:00pm | 6250 Applied Science Lane
This event is the first offering of the student-led Black Excellence in STEM (BEST) Speaker Series, organized by the Faculty of Applied Science and supported by the UBC stEAR (Strategic Equity and Anti-Racism) Enhancement Fund. Coralie received her BASC in Biomedical Engineering from UBC and is currently a MD Candidate in the Faculty of Medicine. She bridges her passion for patient-centric medicine with her enthusiasm for creating technology. She is naturally drawn to a space of innovation and challenge where she can foster her fascination with robotics, medicine, software, and neurotech. In 2023, she received the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council’s Undergraduate Student Research Award. This allowed her to intern as a research assistant in UBC’s Molecular Mechatronics Lab where she fabricated soft, capacitive pressure sensors and integrate them into a robotic hand. In this talk, Coralie will reflect on embracing curiosity, challenging conventional paths, and staying bold while navigating her career in STEM. Following the talk, attendees will have the opportunity to ask Coralie questions and connect with her during a networking session.Register now to join the conversation and be inspired!
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Jan 30
Incorporating Inclusive Technologies and Best Practices for Supportive Engineering Education
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Image Neurodivergent students may face significant challenges in higher education due to traditional academic structures and systems. In this talk, Dr. Emily Marasco and Aylan Vincent from the University of Calgary will explore technologies and pedagogical best practices for supporting a diverse range of cognitive, sensory, and executive functioning needs among postsecondary engineering education students. We invite all faculty, staff, and students interested in neurodiversity and accessibility to sign up for this talk! Learn More About Our Guest Speakers: Dr. Emily Marasco (Left) is Associate Dean – EDIA and Associate Dean – First Year Program in the Schulich School of Engineering (SSE) and holds the SSE Chair in Engineering Education Innovation – Digital Transformation. She is the founder of the ADAPT Lab: Advancements in Digital Applications and Pedagogical Transformation. Her pedagogical research work focuses on AI/digital literacy, cognitive diversity, accessibility best practices, creativity, and first year transition practices. An active science communicator, Dr. Marasco has been honored as ASTech Outstanding Leader of Tomorrow (2018) and one of Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40 (2019). Aylan Vincent (Right) is a third-year Electrical Engineering student at the University of Calgary. She has been active in school-related advocacy and EDIA initiatives since high school. Aylan currently serves as the president of the Calgary EngiQueers, having founded the chapter in 2024. Her interest in neurodiversity-based work stems from her personal lived experience, which is reflected in the Neurodiversity Mindmap.
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Jan 15
APSC Student Fund to Advance EDI.I Information Session
10:30am - 12:30pm
Drop-in for an Information Zoom Session to learn more about the APSC Student Fund to Advance EDI.I, a pilot funding opportunity supporting projects that foster inclusive, equitable, and accessible learning environments across APSC.During this session, participants will:Learn about the purpose and scope of the Student EDI.I FundReview eligibility criteria and funding parameters (up to $1,000 per project)Understand how proposals are assessed and what makes a strong applicationExplore examples of eligible initiatives aligned with APSC EDI.I prioritiesAsk questions about timelines, budgets, and reporting requirementsThis session is open to APSC undergraduate and graduate students interested in applying as principal and secondary applications and will be conducted online over zoom. This session functions as an optional and flexible drop-in session and you are not required to stay for the entire length of the meeting. If you are unable to attend, please email areebaamreen.asif@ubc.ca with your questions.
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Dec 1
14 Not Forgotten Ceremony
11:30am - 1:30pm | Fred Kaiser Atrium
Image Date: December 1, 2025Time: 11:30 am – 1:30 pm Location: Fred Kaiser Atrium December 6, 1989 marks the day an armed man walked into an engineering class at I'école Polytechnique de Montréal and killed 14 women and injured 10 more. This act of violent misogyny led Parliament to designate December 6 as The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. As the month of December comes closer, we turn our minds to the memory of the 14 women who lost their lives on a terrible day that does not seem so long ago. As a Faculty, we honour those women whose lives were abruptly ended, and reaffirm our commitment to end all forms of violence and create supportive, caring communities. Standing in memory is one small thing we can do to show this commitment. We invited UBC students, staff and faculty to join us on December 1 for our Annual 14 Not Forgotten Ceremony to remember the 14 women who lost their lives and stand against violence towards women. 14 Not Forgotten is hosted by the Engineering Undergraduate Society and the APSC EDI.I Office.
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Nov 4
Communities of Resilience: Chinatown Vancouver
12:00pm - 1:30pm | 2332 Main Mall
Place and Memory - Donna Seto Join us for a talk by Donna Seto, the author of Chinatown Vancouver: An Illustrated History. Donna's talk explores the resilience of communities that inhabit cultural sites like Vancouver’s Chinatown and helps us understand how our connection to place, the past and the future preserve these communities.Mapping Communities of Resilience Following the talk, participants are invited to locate their own communities of resilience on a Metro Vancouver map by guided place and memory prompts to produce a map of collective communities that are tied our wellbeing, resilience and identity. This exercise attempts to leverage our personal histories and memories tied to the built environment to develop a collective and visual representation of resilience rooted in place, in communities, and in conjunction to one another. Author Biography: Donna Seto Many at UBC know Donna as the Manager of Research and Strategic Initiatives in the Department of Civil Engineering, but her work extends far beyond that role. She is also a writer, self-taught artist, and occasional academic. Growing up, Donna accompanied her parents on regular ventures through the bustling streets of Vancouver’s Chinatown, where they bought groceries, ate dim sum, purchased newspapers, and visited her poh-poh. Her childhood, heritage, and long-lost passion for art influenced her new book, Chinatown Vancouver: An Illustrated History (House of Anansi, 2025). Donna also holds a PhD in Political Science and International Relations but dreams of being a poet. This event is sponsored by the UBC Thrive initiative. As a result, it is open to everyone at UBC.
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Jun 25
Coffee and Care - June Session
10:00am - 11:00am | 2332 Main Mall
'Coffee and Care' is an extension of our IDEAL program and the Cascades of Change programs. These sessions are designed as small communities of practice where we can connect with others and build upon the learning we've achieved throughout the program. It’s a perfect opportunity to share insights, experiences, and enhance your understanding in a supportive environment!
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Jun 4
Healthy Masculinities in STEM
3:00pm - 4:30pm
Healthy Masculinities in STEMThis event is hosted by EDI.I Office in the Faculties of Applied Science, Forestry and Land and Food Systems at UBC. Join us for a thoughtful discussion on cultivating healthy masculinities within STEM fields. This panel provides a supportive space for male-identified individuals to reflect on and explore how masculinity is shaped, expressed, and challenged in academic and professional environments. Panelists will engage with topics such as gender roles, societal expectations, stereotypes, and the importance of positive role models, fostering dialogue that promotes equity, inclusion, and well-being for all. This event is offered as a part of the Cascades of Change program and is open to all members of the UBC community. Contributors Dana-Lyn Mackenzie, Moderator Dana-Lyn (born Wilson) is a member of the Hwlitsum First Nation, based in Canoe Pass, BC and a lawyer. Dana-Lyn is an elected councillor of her Coast Salish nation, serving since 2021. She holds a joint position of Senior Manager of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigeneity at LFS and Forestry. Dana-Lyn has been a speaker on numerous panels on Indigenous research, communities and ISP implementation. She currently sits on the Indigenous Working Group, co-chairs the ISP Community of Practice, and advises front-line student services advisors on best practices in Indigenous student support. Will Valley, Panelist Will Valley is an associate professor of teaching in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia and the academic director of the core curriculum in the faculty, the Land, Food, and Community (LFC) series. The objective of the LFC series is to create learning opportunities that encourage students to become citizens, professionals, and leaders who understand the opportunities and obstacles to creating regional, national, and global food systems that are ecologically regenerative, socially just, and economically viable. Hisham Zerriffi, Panelist Hisham Zerriffi is an Associate Professor in Forest Resources Management at the University of British Columbia (UBC)/ He was previously an Assistant Professor and the Ivan Head South/North Research Chair in the Liu Institute for Global Issues at UBC. Dr. Zerriffi’s research is at the intersection of technology, energy and the environment, with a particular focus on rural areas of the developing world. Graham R. Hendra, Panelist - Healthy Masculinity in STEM Graham R. Hendra is a Lecturer and Mech 2 Coordinator in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of British Columbia (UBC). He holds a B.A.Sc. from the University of Waterloo and a Ph.D. from UBC, and he is a registered Professional Engineer (P.Eng.). Dr. Alon Eisenstein, Panelist Dr. Eisenstein is an Assistant Professor of Teaching in Technology Entrepreneurship and Professional Development at the University of British Columbia Okanagan’s School of Engineering, which is situated on the ancestral, traditional and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation. Since joining the UBC School of Engineering in 2021, Dr. Eisenstein has introduced and taught several courses on the topics of entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership, applying experiential learning pedagogy throughout. For close to a decade, Dr. Eisenstein has been developing, studying and advancing the use of Work-Integrated Learning pedagogy within entrepreneurship education.
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May 26
Lab Accessibility Training
9:30am - 11:00am
Do you make decisions about teaching labs? Whether it's in equipment, storage, layout, furnishings, safety, lab instruction, and more, this training is for you! Join us to learn more about accessibility in lab spaces. Gain insight into how to make lab spaces usable by and safe for lab users with physical accessibility needs. The focus of this training session is on undergraduate teaching labs, however those involved in decisions about research lab spaces may also benefit.*Please note the date has moved from May 28 to May 26, 2025.Meet the TrainerJulie Sawchuk - Principal and CEO, Sawchuk Accessible Solutions International Speaker, Best Selling Author and recipient of the King’s Coronation Medal, Julie is committed to helping everyone simplify accessibility. After sustaining a spinal cord injury in 2015, Julie became intimately aware of the everyday challenges of living in a world not built with accessibility in mind. Since then, she has become an industry leader, helping stakeholders understand how accessible spaces and services maximize safety, maintain dignity and allow independence through practical solutions. Using storytelling, expertise and humour, Julie reminds us that we all have a part to play in creating a world where people with disabilities don’t have to expend extra energy to simply do life. Source: www.juliesawchuk.ca/
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May 12
The Intersections of People and the Planet: A Climate Justice Workshop
3:00pm - 5:00pm | 3461 Ross Dr
The Intersection of People and the Planet: A Climate Justice WorkshopThis workshop is hosted by EDI.I Office in the Faculties of Applied Science, Forestry and Land and Food Systems at UBC. In honor of Earth Day, we are thrilled to invite you to our first Climate Justice Workshop rooted in intersectionality, decolonization and community resilience! This workshop is part of the IDEAL and Cascades of Change educational programs and is open to all members of the UBC community interested in climate justice from a racialized and decolonial perspective.Workshop OverviewPart 1: Ecological Kinship ExerciseParticipants will take part in a guided Ecological Kinship Exercise that invites them to build a personal, grounded relationship with the land. Through hands-on, reflective practice, this session offers space to process the emotional weight of the climate crisis—including grief and hopelessness—while reconnecting with traditional knowledge systems that center resilience, reciprocity, and care for the land. The experience concludes with a collective reflection to share insights and strengthen connection.Part 2: Panel DiscussionA moderated conversation featuring UBC researchers working in the areas of climate justice, community and social inequities. The panel will explore the intersections of climate justice and equity, with a focus on the experiences and voices of IBPOC communities. The session will be followed by an opportunity to ask questions and engage in dialogue with our speakers. Contributors Mary Jessome, Facilitator - Ecological Kinship Exercise As a place-based educator and doctoral candidate, Mary's work focuses on decolonizing people's relationship with themselves, others, and the world around them. Her work encourages individuals to reconnect with their unique ancestral practices and the cultural wisdom that has been erased by colonial systems. Mary's work is essential for creating more equitable, sustainable communities, as it helps individuals break free from ingrained patterns and develop more mindful, interconnected ways of living.Dr. Amanda Giang, Panelist - Intersections of People and the Planet Dr. Giang is an Assistant Professor in the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability and the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UBC. Her work combines environmental modelling, policy, and justice, with a focus on air pollution and toxic chemicals. Her research is rooted in an interdisciplinary approach and aims to support frontline communities and address systemic environmental injustices, particularly in the context of climate change. Current projects in her research group focus on advancing community-centered responses to environmental injustice in Canada. They are assessing how technology and policy impact air quality in overburdened regions and exploring the integration of diverse forms of knowledge—including Indigenous and local knowledges—into environmental assessment and governance.Dr. Holly Caggiano, Panelist - Intersections of People and the Planet Dr. Caggiano is an Assistant Professor in Climate Justice and Environmental Planning in the School of Community and Regional Planning (SCARP). Her research explores social dimensions of climate transitions in the US and Canada. Her interdisciplinary scholarship draws from various social science theories and methods, often community-engaged, and she prioritizes working collaboratively with people impacted by climate change and the plans and policies developed to mitigate its impacts. She holds at PhD in Planning and Public Policy from Rutgers University.Dana LaFayette Hunter, Panelist - The Intersections of People and the Planet Dana was raised in Treaty 6 territory in Saskatchewan and carries mixed Afro-ᎠᏂᏴᏫᏯ (Aniyvwiya/Cherokee) and Celtic Settler ancestries. Coming from a long line of growers and helpers, some of Dana’s earliest memories are of her hands in the soil planting flowers and food with her mom. An incoming UBC Master’s student in Cognitive Psychology, her transdisciplinary research will focus on culturally and ecologically embodied and embedded cognition, consciousness, and neuroplasticity. She is experienced in community-engaged land, culture, and arts-based wellness and food-sovereignty initiatives as well as programming with diverse and local communities and has co-led classes at UBC rooted in Indigenized and accessible pedagogies. Dana is honored to be mentoring in traditional medicines with the Medicine Collective from Dr. Alannah Young, and is training in Indigenous Focusing-Oriented Therapy, a land-engaged therapeutic approach.
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Apr 23
Coffee and Care - April Session
10:00am - 11:00am | 2332 Main Mall
Image 'Coffee and Care' is an extension of our IDEAL program and the newly launched Cascades of Change program. These sessions are designed as small communities of practice where we can connect with others and build upon the learning we've achieved throughout the program(s). It’s a perfect opportunity to share insights, experiences, and enhance your understanding in a supportive environment!