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.

For over half a century the Faculty of Education at UBC has served the international education community through leadership in research, service, and advocacy. Our faculty, students, and alumni advance research on learning and teaching; collaborate with Indigenous communities; and solve human problems across the lifespan and in diverse contexts. Our internationally renowned scholars and talented graduate students link educational research to local and global community needs, inform theory, practice and policy, and introduce innovative research methods.

We also prepare professionals for practice in a wide range of education-related fields, from preschool through adulthood. In British Columbia, more than 45% of the province’s elementary teachers, the majority of secondary teachers, and a significant proportion of BC’s special needs and First Nations teachers, counsellors, school administrators, school psychologists, and vocational rehabilitation counsellors, are prepared by the UBC Faculty of Education for their important roles.

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. 

Research Highlights

Notable strengths are in literacy, struggling and marginalized youth, Indigenous education and research, transformational curriculum design, social-emotional well-being, autism, kinesiology and exercise physiology, and multidisciplinary research in diversity, health, and digital media.

We are the national leader in the number of education graduate student fellowships received from the Social Sciences and Humanities research council (SSHRC), and are home to 4 Canada Research Chairs and 10 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
Abdi, Ali Department of Educational Studies Citizenship and human rights education, International Development Education, Multi-centric Philosophies and Methodologies of Education, postcolonial studies in education, Social and Cultural Foundations of Education
Ahenakew, Cash Department of Educational Studies Cultural studies, Higher Education, Indigenous Studies, Leadership and Organizations, Post-colonial studies, Race/ethnicity, Research methodologies, Social justice, Sociology of Education
Anderson, Ann Department of Curriculum & Pedagogy Math education
Anderson, David Department of Curriculum & Pedagogy Cultural Institutions (Museums, Libraries, etc.); Museum Education; Visitor Studies; Informal Learning; Metacognition; Science Education; Long-term Memory; Nostalgia
Andres, Lesley Department of Educational Studies Equity, Higher education, International and Comparative Education, International comparative higher education, Life Course research, Lifelong learning, Policy, Research methodologies, Social justice, Sociology of Education, Sociology of Higher Education
Asselin, Marlene Department of Language & Literacy Education Language Acquisition and Development; International Development; Cultural Institutions (Museums, Libraries, etc.); early literacy; literacy and international development; libraries and education
Beauchamp, Mark School of Kinesiology Social Determinants of Health; Health Promotion; Quality of Life and Aging; Mental Health and Society; Physical Activity; Health Psychology; Exercise Psychology; Sport Psychology; Group Processes; Leadership; Intervention; Social Cognition; Older Adults; Children
Bedi, Robinder Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, and Special Education Educational Counselling; The Contextual Model of Counselling/Psychotherapy / Viewing Psychotherapy as a Cultural Practice; Counselling/psychotherapy in India; Counselling/psychotherapy/mental health with Punjabi/Sikh individuals; Counselling psychology disciplinary and professional issues
Belliveau, George Department of Language & Literacy Education Theatre; Arts-based research; Drama Education; Research-based Theatre; Interdisciplinary Arts
Berard, Marie-France
Blouin, Jean-Sebastien School of Kinesiology Sensorimotor Integration; Motor System; Robotics and Automation; Trauma / Injuries; Physiology; Sensorimotor physiology; Standing balance; Balance robot; Sensory virtualisation; Computational approaches; Head and neck; Whiplash injuries
Borgen, William Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, and Special Education Career Counselling, Career/life transitions, Developmental approaches to counselling, Group counselling
Bournot-Trites, Monique Department of Language & Literacy Education Bilingualism and Multilingualism; Teaching and Learning Systems; bilingualism; French immersion; Language Assessment; Intercultural communication; reading
Boushel, Robert School of Kinesiology, Department of Family Practice Kinesiology
Bredin, Shannon School of Kinesiology human motor learning, expertise and development, physical education, teacher preparation and effectiveness, Human motor behaviour (motor learning, development, and expertise), life span physical activity and health, physical and health literacy, health knowledge, health-related physical fitness, interactive gaming, telehealth, psychomotor markers of performance
Bryson, Mary Department of Language & Literacy Education technology, media, cultural studies, gender, queer theory, deviance studies, post-colonial pedagogies, Sociology, Women's Studies, Education, media and gender, media and education
Buchanan, Marla Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, and Special Education Counsellor Stress, Narrative Inquiry, School Counselling, Traumatic Stress
Bundon, Andrea School of Kinesiology Social Contexts; disability; sport; Paralympics; sociology; critical disability studies; social media
Butler, Deborah Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, and Special Education special education, learning disabilities, inclusive educational practices, intervention research for students with learning disabilities, Collaboration and co-regulation in teachers' professional learning, collaborative professional development models, learning disabilities in adolescence and adulhood, mathematics, metagocnition and self-regulated learning, research methods in educaiton, strategic performanc ein reading, writing
Cannon, Joanna Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, and Special Education Special Education and Social Adaptation; Teacher Education; Educational Approaches; Speech and Language Development Disorders; Language Acquisition and Development; Cognition and Language; Literacy Training; Education of Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing; Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing with complex language or cognitive needs
Carpenter, Mark School of Kinesiology neural control of movement, fear of falling, Neural control of movement, postural control, fears of falling, balance disorders, Parkinson's disease
Chan, Jennifer Department of Educational Studies transnational social movements, international and comparative education, Japanese civil society, Islam in multicultural societies, Adult education, Citizenship and democracy, Gender studies, International and Comparative Education, Multiculturalism, Post-colonial studies
Chua, Romeo School of Kinesiology Human perceptual-motor control, vision and action, perceptual-motor compatibility, coordination
Clark, Penney Department of Curriculum & Pedagogy history education, Curriculum Studies Research, History Education and Historical Consciousness, History of Education, Pedagogy, Social Studies Education Research
Clarke, Anthony Department of Curriculum & Pedagogy Educational practice, Pedagogy, Research Design and Method, Teacher Education Research, Teacher Research

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Graduate Student Profiles

Esteban Morales

Doctor of Philosophy in Language and Literacy Education (PhD)

Reimagining violence on social media: promoting critical media literacy and peace education in Colombia

Monica Shank Lauwo

Doctor of Philosophy in Language and Literacy Education (PhD)

Stories of lives and literacies: Social class, translanguaging and imagined futures of Tanzanian children

Megan Zeni

Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD)

No child left inside: loose parts, risky play, and teachers' perceptions of risk associated with playful learning outside the classroom

Christine Yu

Doctor of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology (PhD)

The Help-Seeking Process for Parents of Children with Anxiety: A Grounded Theory

Shirley Anne Swelchalot Shxwha:yathel Hardman

Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies (PhD)

One Heart at a Time: Indigenizing the Academy

Sophie Ma Zhu

Doctor of Philosophy in Measurement, Evaluation and Research Methodology (PhD)

Validity evidence for self-report psychological measures based on participants' response processes

Katharine McCloskey

Doctor of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology (PhD)

Interpersonal communication styles in suicidal men

Ran Xiang

Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD)

A cultural analysis of the tea ceremony as a form of aesthetic pedagogy
All Student Profiles

Alumni on Success

Andrea Bundon

Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology (PhD) [2014]

Job Title
Assistant Professor

Employer
The University of British Columbia - School of Kinesiology

Suzanne Windsor-Liscombe

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy (EdD) [2014]

Job Title
Teacher-Administrator

Employer
Retired Educator from the Burnaby School District

Ashwani Kumar

Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD) [2011]

Job Title
Associate Professor

Employer
Mount Saint Vincent University

Ryan van den Berg

Master of Arts in Educational Studies (MA) [2016]

Job Title
Analyst

Employer
Library of Parliament

Randy Wollf

Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies (PhD) [2008]

Job Title
President

Employer
PaperLift Document Editing

Kenneth Tupper

Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies (PhD) [2011]

Job Title
Director of Implementation & Partnerships

Employer
BC Centre on Substance Use

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
All Alumni Profiles

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.

 

Psychometric Properties of the Merrill–Palmer–Revised Scales of Development in Preschool Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Publication: Assessment
UBC Author(s): Pat Mirenda (Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 10731911
Volume: 27
Page Range: 1796-1809
Publication Date: 1 December 2020

View Publication
Examining how online risk exposure and online social capital influence adolescent psychological stress
Publication: Computers in Human Behavior
UBC Author(s): Jennifer Shapka (Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 07475632
Volume: 113
Publication Date: December 2020

View Publication
The influence of postural threat on strategy selection in a stepping-down paradigm
Publication: Scientific Reports
UBC Author(s): Mark Carpenter (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 10
Publication Date: 1 December 2020

View Publication
A Population Study of Prescribed Opioid-based Pain Reliever Use among Individuals with Mood and Anxiety Disorders in Canada
Publication: Drug and Alcohol Dependence
UBC Author(s): John Kramer (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 03768716
Volume: 216
Publication Date: 1 November 2020

View Publication
Exercise training affects hemodynamics not cardiac function during anthracycline-based chemotherapy
Publication: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
UBC Author(s): Darren Warburton (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 01676806
Volume: 184
Page Range: 75-85
Publication Date: 1 November 2020

View Publication
Temperament influences the relationship between symptom severity and adaptive functioning in children with autism spectrum disorder
Publication: Autism
UBC Author(s): Pat Mirenda (Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 13623613
Volume: 24
Page Range: 2057-2070
Publication Date: 1 November 2020

View Publication
Effects of a Universal School-Based Mental Health Program on the Self-concept, Coping Skills, and Perceptions of Social Support of Students with Developmental Disabilities
Publication: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
UBC Author(s): Sterett Mercer (Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education / Faculty of Education), Vicki Floyd Knight (Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education / Faculty of Education), Jennifer Katz (Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 01623257
Volume: 50
Page Range: 4069-4084
Publication Date: 1 November 2020

View Publication
Are one-year changes in adherence to the 24-hour movement guidelines associated with flourishing among Canadian youth?
Publication: Preventive Medicine
UBC Author(s): Guy Faulkner (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 00917435
Volume: 139
Publication Date: October 2020

View Publication
Staging Therapeutic Enactment with Veterans in Contact!Unload
Publication: Qualitative Research in Psychology
UBC Author(s): George Belliveau (Language & Literacy Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 14780887
Volume: 17
Page Range: 521-540
Publication Date: 1 October 2020

View Publication
Correction to: Why public health matters today and tomorrow: the role of applied public health research (Canadian Journal of Public Health, (2019), 110, 3, (317-322), 10.17269/s41997-019-00196-2)
Publication: Canadian Journal of Public Health
UBC Author(s): Guy Faulkner (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 00084263
Volume: 111
Page Range: 812-813
Publication Date: 1 October 2020

View Publication
The Role of Item Distributions on Reliability Estimation: The Case of Cronbach’s Coefficient Alpha
Publication: Educational and Psychological Measurement
UBC Author(s): Edward Kroc (Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education / Faculty of Education), Bruno Zumbo (Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 00131644
Volume: 80
Page Range: 825-846
Publication Date: 1 October 2020

View Publication
The effects of perturbation type and direction on threat-related changes in anticipatory postural control
Publication: Human Movement Science
UBC Author(s): Mark Carpenter (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 01679457
Volume: 73
Publication Date: October 2020

View Publication
Performing the Norm: Men in the Performing Arts and the Materialization of White, Heteronormative Masculinity
Publication: Journal of Men's Studies
UBC Author(s): Moss Norman (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 10608265
Volume: 28
Page Range: 281-300
Publication Date: 1 October 2020

View Publication
Complete mental health status and associations with physical activity, screen time, and sleep in youth
Publication: Mental Health and Physical Activity
UBC Author(s): Guy Faulkner (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 17552966
Volume: 19
Publication Date: October 2020

View Publication
Results from the 2019 ParticipACTION report card on physical activity for adults
Publication: Journal of Physical Activity and Health
UBC Author(s): Guy Faulkner (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 15433080
Volume: 17
Page Range: 995-1002
Publication Date: October 2020

View Publication
The Association Between Traditional Masculinity Ideology and Predictors of Military to Civilian Transition Among Veteran Men
Publication: Journal of Men's Studies
UBC Author(s): Daniel Cox (Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 10608265
Volume: 28
Page Range: 318-338
Publication Date: 1 October 2020

View Publication
A data-driven prospective study of dementia among older adults in the United States
Publication: PLoS ONE
UBC Author(s): Eli Puterman (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 15
Publication Date: October 2020

View Publication
Textbook journalism? Objectivity, education and the professionalization of sports reporting
Publication: Journalism
UBC Author(s): Brian Wilson (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 14648849
Volume: 21
Page Range: 1375-1400
Publication Date: 1 October 2020

View Publication
Measurement protocols, random-variable-valued measurements, and response process error: Estimation and inference when sample data are not deterministic
Publication: PLoS ONE
UBC Author(s): Edward Kroc (Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 15
Publication Date: October 2020

View Publication
Parent-Reported Rates and Clinical Correlates of Suicidality in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Longitudinal Study
Publication: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
UBC Author(s): Pat Mirenda (Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 01623257
Volume: 50
Page Range: 3496-3509
Publication Date: 1 October 2020

View Publication
Virtual postural threat facilitates the detection of visual stimuli
Publication: Neuroscience Letters
UBC Author(s): Mark Carpenter (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 03043940
Volume: 736
Publication Date: 25 September 2020

View Publication
Frequency characteristics of heteronymous responses evoked by Achilles tendon vibration during quiet stance
Publication: Neuroscience Letters
UBC Author(s): Jean-Sebastien Blouin (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 03043940
Volume: 736
Publication Date: 25 September 2020

View Publication
Parents and children active together: a randomized trial protocol examining motivational, regulatory, and habitual intervention approaches
Publication: BMC public health
UBC Author(s): Darren Warburton (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education), Mark Beauchamp (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 20
Page Range: 1436
Publication Date: 21 September 2020

View Publication
Community engagement is … : revisiting Boyer’s model of scholarship
Publication: Higher Education Research and Development
UBC Author(s): Kerry Renwick (Curriculum & Pedagogy / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 07294360
Volume: 39
Page Range: 1232-1246
Publication Date: 18 September 2020

View Publication
Factors that influence the decision to seek help in a police population
Publication: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
UBC Author(s): Marla Buchanan (Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 16617827
Volume: 17
Page Range: 1-26
Publication Date: 2 September 2020

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
2020 Dr. Lemon conducted a narrative examination of school-based trauma-informed practices. This is one of the first Canadian studies to investigate trauma-informed practice implementation from the perspective of school counselling professionals. This research supports the continued development of trauma-informed practices in the education system. Doctor of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology (PhD)
2020 Dr. Wawrykow's research investigated Aboriginal students' sources of and access to self-worth. She modified an analysis method to fit with Indigenous oral storytelling traditions. Her findings highlight Indigenous ways of healing and fostering self-worth and contribute to culturally sensitive delivery of clinical service and conducting research. Doctor of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology (PhD)
2020 Dr. Price attends to a Welsh cultural approach to contemplative connection with the living world. As a response to climate change, her writing explores ways of knowing with trees, culture, words, and ancestors. It offers a creative, devotional, and regenerative approach to environmental and contemplative education. Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD)
2020 Dr. Roberson investigated the impact of immigration background on social belonging. Situating the measurement of social belonging in schools within an international comparative context, he shows that immigration background and national multicultural integration policy are valuable explanatory variables in the ecological validity argument. Doctor of Philosophy in Measurement, Evaluation and Research Methodology (PhD)
2020 Dr. Kitil studied the role that executive functions play in important developmental outcomes. She found that 4th and 5th grade students who had better executive functions earned higher academic grades eight years later. Given its malleability, this research highlights the importance of finding ways to support executive functions at an early age. Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development, Learning, and Culture (PhD)
2020 Dr. Kady-Rachid critically examined constructions of people of Arab descent in educational text and talk in secondary schools in British Columbia. Analysis revealed a discourse of othering, barriers to teaching about peoples of Arab descent, and the importance of supporting teachers' efforts to teach in culturally relevant ways. Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development, Learning, and Culture (PhD)
2020 Educators make numerous judgments that affect vulnerable people every day, a responsibility for which there is little institutional training or support. Dr. Jensen explores Hannah Arendt's ideas about thinking, willing, and judging, and how these resources inform educational practice, helping educators to make ethical-political judgments. Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy (EdD)
2020 Dr. Fawcett developed a Family-Centred Positive Behaviour Support (FCPBS) approach for families of young children with Down syndrome and behavioural challenges, the first of its kind at the secondary tier. This program was effective in improving the children's behaviour, decreasing parental stress levels, and enriching family quality of life. Doctor of Philosophy in Special Education (PhD)
2020 Dr. Diaz-Diaz studied how young children learn about diversity and social responsibility through their relationships with place. Her research demonstrates that uncritical multicultural pedagogies can prevent children from learning about and from Indigenous knowledge. These findings will inform policy and pedagogy development, particularly in BC. Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies (PhD)
2020 Dr. Kester explored the treatment of anxiety among students with autism spectrum disorder in a school setting. She evaluated the effectiveness of a school-based cognitive behaviour therapy intervention delivered by educators in schools. Her findings will help to apply clinically-controlled research to real life settings such as schools. Doctor of Philosophy in Special Education (PhD)

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Nominations of Fellows to The Royal Society of Canada

The call for the nominations of Fellows to The Royal Society of Canada is now open. Nominations may be made by institutions (UBC internal deadlines forthcoming) or directly by current Fellows. RSC Fellows are those with exceptional and original publications, intellectual achievements, and...

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ORE Internal Review Program for SSHRC Insight Grant

ORE Internal Review Program for SSHRC Insight Grant Please contact Nandini Maharaj if you are planning to submit your proposal for internal review. See important dates below: August 17:  Email complete revised application (PDF of app and Word docs) to Nandini Maharaj for review & feedback....

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CIHR Update on Strategic Funding Opportunities

In early April, CIHR announced a three-month pause on existing and new strategic funding opportunities (FO), with the exception of FOs related to COVID-19, in order to allow CIHR to focus its efforts on supporting the Government of Canada’s response to the pandemic. Please read the full message...

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NOI Deadline for UBC Internal Research Awards & Prizes

Nominate a faculty peer! UBC has launched the 2020 internal Research Awards and Prizes call for nominations. These awards recognize research excellence and are managed by UBC’s Office of the VP Research & Innovation (VPRI). There is a new Notice of Intent (NOI) stage for these awards...

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