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The Faculty of Education at UBC is advancing educational research and understanding in ways that celebrate diversity, equity, and innovation, and welcomes international collaboration in an increasingly borderless world.

UBC’s Faculty of Education, one of the world’s leading education faculties, has served the local, national, and international education community through leadership in research, teaching, service and advocacy for more than 60 years. As the largest Faculty of Education in British Columbia, it plays a critical and influential role in the advancement of education in the province, shaping and participating in education’s possibilities and potential as a social good. 

Today, the Faculty of Education creates conditions for transformative teaching, innovative learning, and leading-edge research guided by the highest standards of scholarship and the principles of collaboration, social justice, inclusion and equity. Offering undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as professional development opportunities, the Faculty of Education enrolls thousands of students each year on two campuses and ranks 10th in the world, according to QS World University Rankings (2021).

UBC’s Faculty of Education prepares more than 45% of the elementary and the majority of secondary educators in British Columbia, and a significant proportion of British Columbia’s school counsellors, administrators, special education professionals, and school psychologists. With more than 57,000 alum located in 100 countries, the UBC Faculty of Education truly is a global entity. 

The Faculty of Education is home to four departments (Curriculum and Pedagogy, Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education, Educational Studies, and Language and Literacy Education) and two schools (the School of Kinesiology and the Okanagan School of Education).

Mission
To advance education's role in the well-being of people and communities.
 

Research Centres

Research Facilities

We provide outstanding research facilities for faculty and graduate students that promote leading-edge research. Our Education Library is a specialized resource with access to all of UBC’s research and special collections, including the X̱wi7x̱wa Library with materials produced by Indigenous organizations, tribal councils, schools, researchers and publishers.

The Faculty’s Education Research and Learning Commons at Ponderosa Commons features technology-enhanced teaching and learning spaces and also informal learning spaces. A number of faculty manage their own research labs, situated throughout campus. 

Many of our PhD students have been selected as UBC Public Scholars and have received other honours.

Research Highlights

https://ivet.educ.ubc.ca/Notable strengths are in literacy education and multilingualism; struggling and marginalized youth; Indigenous education, decolonization, and research; transformational program and curriculum design and inclusive pedagogies for schools, community organizations and higher education; sexual orientation and gender-identity inclusive education; social-emotional learning and well-being; autism; exercise physiology, socio-cultural aspects of health; neuromechanical studies; and multidisciplinary research in diversity, health, early childhood education, and digital media. The School of Kinesiology ranks 1st in Canada and 4th in the world by QS World University Rankings (2021).

UBC’s Faculty of Education is the national leader in the number of education graduate student fellowships received from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). Additionally, the Faculty of Education is home to six Canada Research Chairs, one CIHR chair and nine donor-funded research chairs and professorships. 

Schools / Departments

School

Department

Graduate Degree Programs

Research Supervisors in Faculty

or browse the list of faculty members in various academic units. You may click each unit to view faculty members appointed in that unit. View the full faculty member directory for more search and filter options.
Name Academic Unit(s) Research Interests
Cole, Peter Department of Curriculum & Pedagogy Indigenous Education Research; Aboriginalizing/indigenizing research methodology; Orality; Narrativity; Environmental thought; Indigenous self-determination and self-governance; Traditional Aboriginal and Indigenous technologies
Corella Morales, Meghan Department of Language & Literacy Education Other languages and literature; Academic Discourse; Children and youth; Discourse Analysis; Language ideology; Sociolinguistics
Cox, Daniel Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, and Special Education Counselling psychology; Motivations and Emotions; Anxiety; depression; Mental Health and Society; stress; Suicide
Darvin, Ron Department of Language & Literacy Education development of diverse digital practices for learners of unequal resources
De Oliveira Andreotti, Vanessa Department of Educational Studies Education for/about international development, Social accountability in local and global engagements, Global Citizenship Education
Dobson, Teresa Department of Language & Literacy Education Media and communications; Literary Education; Digital Literacy; Digital Humanities; Text Visualization
Duff, Patricia Department of Language & Literacy Education applied linguistics and sociolinguistics, multilingualism and work, sociocultural and sociopolitical aspects of languages in education, Adolescent issues, adult education issues, English and French as second languages, international perspecives
Early, Margaret Department of Language & Literacy Education Adolescent issues, English as a second Language, language education, literacy, teacher research
Ellis, Jason Department of Educational Studies Canadian history; Specialized studies in education; Educational policy; Education policy; history of education
Ervin, Ruth Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, and Special Education Systems Change, Prevention and Intervention Strategies in Special Education
Eryigit Madzwamuse, Suna Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, and Special Education Curriculum, pedagogy and didactics
Fallon, Gerald Department of Educational Studies Indigenous Studies, International and Comparative Education, Leadership and Organizations, Policy, Research methodologies
Faulkner, Guy School of Kinesiology Kinesiology; Community Health / Public Health; behavioral medicine; Exercise Psychology; mental health; physical activity and public health; physical activity interventions
Fewster, Kayla School of Kinesiology Injuries in the spinal tissue; Temporal mechanical changes in the lumbar spine in relation to motor control and joint mechanics
Ford, Laurie Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, and Special Education Early Childhood Assessment, Youth and Families
Forde, Shawn Department of Curriculum & Pedagogy
Forsyth, Janice School of Kinesiology Kinesiology; History of Physical Culture and Sport; Indigenous Studies in Kinesiology; Socio-Cultural Studies
Fundelius, Erika Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, and Special Education Self-determination within and beyond the Expanded core curriculum; Professional development including pre-service and in-service teacher preparation
Galla, Candace Department of Language & Literacy Education, Institute for Critical Indigenous Studies what types of technology initiatives (low-, mid-, or high) Indigenous language communities are using to revitalize, maintain, and promote their language
Gerofsky, Susan Department of Curriculum & Pedagogy Curriculum Studies Research, Mathematics, Media, Semiotics, Text Studies, Pedagogy, Research Design and Method, Technology; gesture; genre; mathematics and the arts; Performance Theory
Gibson, Lindsay Department of Curriculum & Pedagogy assessment; Curriculum Studies Research; Democracy and Citizenship; History Education; Historical Consciousness; history of education; Pedagogy; Social Studies Education Research; Teacher Education Research; Teacher Research; Historical Thinking; Inquiry
Gill, Hartej Department of Educational Studies Cultural studies, Leadership and Organizations, Post-colonial studies, Teaching and Practice
Gladwin, Derek Department of Language & Literacy Education Other languages and literature; Cultural Studies; Digital & Media Literacy; Environmental & Energy Literacy; Environmental Humanities; Food Literacy; Literary Education; Sustainability Education; Writing & Rhetoric
Gleason, Mona Department of Educational Studies History, archaeology and related studies
Goble, J. Scott Department of Curriculum & Pedagogy music and history; music education; conducting; choral music, Expressed an interest in chairing music exams, music education

Pages

Graduate Student Stories

Ian Alexander

Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD)

Perspectives and experiences of Social Studies teachers in British Columbia offshore schools

Monir Shahzeidi

Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology (PhD)

Racialized women refugees’ experiences and perception of access to leisure in rural areas

Alana Cook

Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology (PhD)

The decolonization and Indigenization of mixed martial arts

Jade LaFontaine

Doctor of Philosophy in Language and Literacy Education (PhD)

Creating language resources for nłeʔkepmx youth

Jia Yu Xu

Master of Education in Early Childhood Education (MEd)

Laura Brass

Doctor of Philosophy in Language and Literacy Education (PhD)

Immigrant women language teachers’ identities

Aisha Ghani

Doctor of Philosophy in School and Applied Child Psychology (PhD)

Canadian South-Asian youth experiences of caregiver-child relationships
Hesse Cassandra's image

Cassandra Hesse

Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development, Learning, and Culture (PhD)

The influence of pornography on adolescents
All Student Stories

Alumni on Success

Lucía Terra

Doctor of Philosophy in Language and Literacy Education (PhD) [2009]

Job Title
Owner

Employer
Language and Communication Services

Kaela Jubas

Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies (PhD) [2009]

Job Title
Associate Professor

Employer
University of Calgary

Anita Cote

Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology (PhD) [2013]

Job Title
Assistant Professor

Employer
Trinity Western University

Carla Peck

Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD) [2009]

Job Title
Associate Professor

Employer
University of Alberta

Vanessa Lapointe

Job Title
Registered Psychologist, Clinic Founder, Parenting Educator, Author

Employer
Self-Employed

Katharine Popejoy

Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD) [2007]

Job Title
Research Program Development Officer

Employer
Lehigh University

Suzanne Scott

Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies (PhD) [2012]

Job Title
Assistant Dean, Development & Alumni Engagement

Employer
The University of British Columbia

Georgina Martin

Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies (PhD)

Job Title
Instructor, Community Health Promotion for Aboriginal Communities

Employer
Vancouver Island University
All Alumni Stories

Recent Publications

This is an incomplete sample of recent publications in chronological order by UBC faculty members with a primary appointment in the Faculty of Education.

 

Unfolding joy in young children’s literacy practices in a Finnish early years classroom
Publication: Journal of Early Childhood Literacy
UBC Author(s): Paeivi Kumpulainen (Language & Literacy Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 14687984
Volume: 24
Page Range: 3-19
Publication Date: March 2024

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Simultaneous estimation of the intermediate correlation matrix for arbitrary marginal densities
Publication: Behavior Research Methods
UBC Author(s): Edward Kroc (Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education / Faculty of Education), Bruno Zumbo (Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 1554351X
Volume: 56
Page Range: 1852-1862
Publication Date: March 2024

View Publication
Correlates of Active School Transportation During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Canadian 7- to 12-Year-Olds: A National Study
Publication: Journal of physical activity & health
UBC Author(s): Guy Faulkner (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 21
Page Range: 294-306
Publication Date: 1 March 2024

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Awareness and knowledge of the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Adults among adults living in Canada
Publication: Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquee, nutrition et metabolisme
UBC Author(s): Guy Faulkner (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 49
Page Range: 405-410
Publication Date: 1 March 2024

View Publication
Assessing Support for Policy Actions With Co-Benefits for Climate Change and Physical Activity in Canada
Publication: Journal of Physical Activity and Health
UBC Author(s): Guy Faulkner (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 15433080
Volume: 21
Page Range: 256-265
Publication Date: March 2024

View Publication
Addressing social determinants of health: Supporting ex-offenders’ employment through use of the Systems Theory Framework
Publication: Journal of Employment Counseling
UBC Author(s): Chan Jeong Park (Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 00220787
Volume: 61
Page Range: 2-17
Publication Date: March 2024

View Publication
The role of the therapeutic bond when working with clients in suicidal crisis
Publication: Journal of counseling psychology
UBC Author(s): Daniel Cox (Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 00220167
Volume: 71
Page Range: 115-125
Publication Date: 1 March 2024

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Correction to: Psychological factors influencing the vividness and affect of visitors’ recall of nostalgic life memories in museums (Current Psychology, (2021), 40, 7, (3585-3595), 10.1007/s12144-019-00299-6)
Publication: Current Psychology
UBC Author(s): David Anderson (Curriculum & Pedagogy / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 10461310
Volume: 43
Page Range: 11411
Publication Date: March 2024

View Publication
From Rural China to the Digital Wilds: Negotiating Digital Repertoires to Claim the Right to Speak
Publication: TESOL Quarterly
UBC Author(s): Ron Darvin (Language & Literacy Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 00398322
Volume: 58
Page Range: 334-362
Publication Date: March 2024

View Publication
Becoming through a/r/tography, autobiography and stories in motion
Publication: International Journal of Education Through Art
UBC Author(s): Rita Irwin (Curriculum & Pedagogy / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 17435234
Volume: 20
Page Range: 69-89
Publication Date: Mar 2024

View Publication
Vestibular control of deep and superficial lumbar muscles
Publication: Journal of Neurophysiology
UBC Author(s): Jean-Sebastien Blouin (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 00223077
Volume: 131
Page Range: 516-528
Publication Date: March 2024

View Publication
Indigenous language rights, frameworks and policies
Publication: Handbook of Indigenous Public Policy
UBC Author(s): Candace Galla (Language & Literacy Education / Faculty of Education)
Page Range: 272-292
Publication Date: 20 February 2024

View Publication
Disability Theatre as Critical Participatory Action Research: Lessons for Inclusive Research
Publication: Social Sciences
UBC Author(s): Leyton Schnellert (Curriculum & Pedagogy / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 13
Publication Date: February 2024

View Publication
Making Experts: The Boundary Crossing of Knowledge and the Emergence of Relational Expertise in a School Makerspace
Publication: Education Sciences
UBC Author(s): Paeivi Kumpulainen (Language & Literacy Education / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 14
Publication Date: February 2024

View Publication
Elusive boundaries: Using an attribute framework to describe systems for population physical activity promotion
Publication: Health Promotion International
UBC Author(s): Guy Faulkner (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 09574824
Volume: 39
Publication Date: 1 February 2024

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Relational Ethics Through the Flesh: Considerations for an Anti-Colonial Future in Art Education
Publication: Qualitative Inquiry
UBC Author(s): Rita Irwin (Curriculum & Pedagogy / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 10778004
Volume: 30
Page Range: 212-219
Publication Date: February 2024

View Publication
Celebrating a decade of exercise physiology and metabolism research in physiological reports
Publication: Physiological Reports
UBC Author(s): David Wright (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 12
Publication Date: February 2024

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At the Heart of Resilience: Empowering Women's Agency in Navigating Cardiovascular Disease
Publication: CJC Open
UBC Author(s): Jillianne Code (Curriculum & Pedagogy / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 6
Page Range: 473-484
Publication Date: February 2024

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Distinct Effects of Brain Activation Using tDCS and Observational Practice: Implications for Motor Rehabilitation
Publication: Brain Sciences
UBC Author(s): Nicola Hodges (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 14
Publication Date: February 2024

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Supporting and Advocating for Immigrant and Refugee Students and Families in America’s Urban Schools: Educators’ Agency and Practices in Everyday Instruction
Publication: Urban Education
UBC Author(s): Guofang Li (Language & Literacy Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 00420859
Volume: 59
Page Range: 600-628
Publication Date: February 2024

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Dysanapsis is not associated with exertional dyspnoea in healthy male and female never-smokers aged 40 years and older
Publication: Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquee, nutrition et metabolisme
UBC Author(s): William Sheel (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 49
Page Range: 223-235
Publication Date: 1 February 2024

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Spatial Response Discrimination May Elicit a Simon Effect on a Non-Complementary Task
Publication: Perceptual and Motor Skills
UBC Author(s): Romeo Chua (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 00315125
Volume: 131
Page Range: 59-73
Publication Date: February 2024

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Reflections on a Century of Extreme Heat Event-Related Mortality Reporting in Canada
Publication: GeoHealth
UBC Author(s): Liv Yoon (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 8
Publication Date: February 2024

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Making diversity visible: collecting gender identity and sexual orientation data in perinatal research
Publication: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
UBC Author(s): Lianne Tomfohr-Madsen (Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 00029378
Volume: 230
Page Range: 269-271
Publication Date: February 2024

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Amylin receptor agonism enhances the effects of liraglutide in protecting against the acute metabolic side effects of olanzapine
Publication: iScience
UBC Author(s): David Wright (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 27
Publication Date: 19 January 2024

View Publication

Pages

Recent Thesis Submissions

Doctoral Citations

A doctoral citation summarizes the nature of the independent research, provides a high-level overview of the study, states the significance of the work and says who will benefit from the findings in clear, non-specialized language, so that members of a lay audience will understand it.
Year Citation Program
2023 Dr. Thomas initiated a storefront art practice for art teachers to come together as a collective to contemplate the conditions for teaching. This study contributes to the field of teacher professional practices by offering experimental art and research approaches that permit teachers to deactivate the necessity to always be in a mode production. Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD)
2023 Dr. Takeda examined the apparent similarities between the dispositions critical media literacy aims to cultivate and characteristics conspiracy theorists claim to embody. He proposed an approach to demarcate desirable from undesirable critical reading and writing that recognizes the significance of meanings and values in the act of reasoning. Doctor of Philosophy in Language and Literacy Education (PhD)
2023 Dr. MacNeil Sinclair studied teachers' learning through an approach called collaborative inquiry. She found that balancing supports, resources, and opportunities for teachers to make decisions for their own learning shows promise for enhancing student learning. Her research advances understanding about effective professional development. Doctor of Philosophy in Special Education (PhD)
2023 Dr. Afreen investigated Bangla heritage language teachers' transcultural identities in greater Vancouver. Teachers' investment in promoting Bangla as a mother tongue was informed by children's transcultural identities in Canada. This research advances knowledge about the identity of heritage language teachers in multicultural communities worldwide. Doctor of Philosophy in Teaching English as a Second Language (PhD)
2023 Dr. Jamal's study on ethnocultural pluralism and the International Baccalaureate's Primary Years Programme explored how an ethic of respect for ethnocultural diversity may be reflected in educational discourses. The study generated findings around issues of representation and teachers' pedagogical practices in different geopolitical contexts. Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies (PhD)
2023 Dr. Diemert conducted her research in an international high school located in Costa Rica. A new term 'student-centered community-based learning' evolved with a focus on student agency in decision-making, problem solving, reflection, and community engagement. Students in the K-12 system and post-secondary education will benefit from this research. Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD)
2023 Dr. King studied the experiences of youth returning to high school and re-engaging in their education after sustaining a mild traumatic brain injury/concussion. This research helps us understand the barriers these students face, what is helpful to them in this time, and what can be improved to better support their transition back to school. Doctor of Philosophy in School and Applied Child Psychology (PhD)
2023 Dr. Wierts examined factors that contribute to the well-being and exercise behaviour, and demonstrated the importance of identity in predicting exercise behaviour. He further examined key antecedents of exercise identity and the feasibility of a group-based exercise program for promoting exercise identity and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology (PhD)
2023 Dr. Edwards explored a school's experience implementing a food education program using a hydroponic shipping container farm (HSCF). This study found that despite substantial initial funding and administrative support, the financial and human capital needs for running a HSCF make it an unsustainable tool for delivering food education programming. Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD)
2023 Dr. Al-Muftah analyzes Qatar University to explore evolving trends in higher education internationalization, emphasizing shifts over time and space. This study urges policymakers to move beyond Euro-American perspectives, promoting localized concepts for internationalization. Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies (PhD)

Pages

 

Dr. John-Tyler Binfet awarded 2023-24 UBC Okanagan Outstanding Instructor Award

April 24, 2024 Congratulations to Dr. John-Tyler Binfet, who has been honoured with the 2023-24 UBC Okanagan Outstanding Instructor Award The UBC Okanagan Outstanding Instructor Award recognizes instructors within each faculty who exhibit exemplary teaching practices and significantly contribute...

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Dr. Bill Cohen awarded 2023-24 UBC Community-University Engagement Support Fund

April 22, 2024 image source: For the Ferals Society Dr. Bill Cohen awarded 2023-24 UBC Community-University Engagement Support Fund The UBC Community-University Engagement Support (CUES) Fund, jointly administered by UBC Community Engagement and the Office of the Vice-President, Research and...

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Dr. Carolyn McEwen receives 2023-24 Killam Teaching Prize

April 22, 2024 Congratulations to Dr. Carolyn McEwen, recipient of the 2023-24 Killam Teaching Prize Dr. Carolyn McEwen, Associate Professor of Teaching at the Faculty of Education’s School of Kinesiology has been honoured with a 2023/2024 Killam Teaching Prize. The Killam Teaching Prize is...

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Thalia Lang and Marcus Lau receive 2023-24 UBC Faculty of Education Graduate Teaching Assistant Awards

April 8, 2024 Congratulations to Thalia Lang and Marcus Lau, recipients of the 2023-24 Faculty of Education Graduate Teaching Assistant Awards The Faculty of Education Graduate Teaching Assistant Awards (GTA) awards are conferred annually to individuals who demonstrate exceptional teaching...

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Dr. Bill Cohen receives 2023/24 Provost’s Award for Teaching Excellence and Innovation

April 16, 2024 Dr. Bill Cohen receives 2023/24 Provost’s Award for Teaching Excellence and Innovation The Provost’s Award for Teaching Excellence and Innovation celebrates outstanding faculty members from UBC’s Okanagan campus who demonstrate preeminence in educational leadership, innovation, and...

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Giovanna Correa Lucci and Matthew Fliss receive 2023-24 UBC Killam Graduate Teaching Assistant Awards

April 8, 2024 Congratulations to Giovanna Correa Lucci and Matthew Fliss, recipients of the 2023-24 UBC Killam Graduate Teaching Assistant Awards In recognition of the valuable role that Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTA) play in our programs, UBC annually honours GTAs with the Killam Graduate...

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