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, David Department of Curriculum & Pedagogy Curriculum, pedagogy and didactics; Science, technology and engineering curriculum, pedagogy and didactics; Specialized studies in education; Cultural Institutions (Museums, Libraries, etc.); Informal Learning; Long-term Memory; Metacognition; Museum Education; Nostalgia; Science Education; Visitor Studies
Anderson, Ann Department of Curriculum & Pedagogy Math education
Andres, Lesley Department of Educational Studies Higher education; life course research; international comparative higher education; sociology of higher education
Asselin, Marlene Department of Language & Literacy Education Children's literatures; Other languages and literature; Cultural Institutions (Museums, Libraries, etc.); early literacy; International development; Language Acquisition and Development; libraries and education; literacy and international development
Beauchamp, Mark School of Kinesiology Kinesiology; social determinants of health; Health Promotion; Quality of Life and Aging; Mental Health and Society; Children; Exercise Psychology; Group Processes; Health Psychology; Intervention; Leadership; Older Adults; Physical Activity; Social Cognition; Sport Psychology
Bedi, Robinder Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, and Special Education Counselling psychology; Educational Counselling; Counselling psychology disciplinary and professional issues; Counselling/psychotherapy in India; Counselling/psychotherapy/mental health with Punjabi/Sikh individuals; The Contextual Model of Counselling/Psychotherapy / Viewing Psychotherapy as a Cultural Practice
Belliveau, George Department of Language & Literacy Education Theatre; Arts-based research; Drama Education; Research-based Theatre; Interdisciplinary Arts
Bennett, Erica School of Kinesiology Sport and exercise psychology; stress, emotion, and coping; Aging; sport; chronic illness; disability; Physical Activity; community and critical perspectives in physical activity psychology
Berard, Marie-France
Blouin, Jean-Sebastien School of Kinesiology Kinesiology; sensorimotor integration; Motor System; robotics and automation; Trauma / Injuries; Physiology; Balance robot; Computational approaches; Head and neck; Sensorimotor physiology; Sensory virtualisation; Standing balance; 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 Specialized studies in education; Bilingualism and Multilingualism; Teaching and Learning Systems; bilingualism; French immersion; Intercultural communication; Language Assessment; 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 Kinesiology; Social Contexts; critical disability studies; disability; Paralympics; social media; sociology; sport
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

Pages

Graduate Student Stories

Tonje Molyneux

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

Supporting systemic, school-based social and emotional learning through teacher professional development

Jem Arnold

Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology (PhD)

Using near-infrared spectroscopy and cycling power to detect iliac artery blood flow limitation in endurance athletes

Xinyi Shen

Master of Education in Adult Learning and Education (MEd)

Halina Deptuck

Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MA)

Facilitating change in maladaptive beliefs: a quantitative exploration of crisis counsellor helping behaviours among clients with active suicide ideation

Laura Werbitsky

Master of Arts in Curriculum Studies (MA)

Teachers experience with curriculum change at an international education company in China

Emmanuel Kwarah

Master of Education in Science Education (MEd)

Isaac Ohene Gyan

Master of Education in Higher Education (MEd)

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
All Student Stories

Alumni on Success

Brigid Goitse Conteh

Doctor of Philosophy in Language and Literacy Education (PhD) [2020]

Job Title
Lecturer

Employer
University of Botswana

Olen Gunnlaugson

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

Job Title
Associate Professor in Leadership and Organizational Development

Employer
Université Laval

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
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.

 

Living the journey to school: Conceptual asymmetry between parents and planners on the journey to school
Publication: Social Science and Medicine
UBC Author(s): Guy Faulkner (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 02779536
Volume: 284
Publication Date: September 2021

View Publication
Predicting the physical activity of new parents who participated in a physical activity intervention
Publication: Social Science and Medicine
UBC Author(s): Darren Warburton (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education), Mark Beauchamp (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 02779536
Volume: 284
Publication Date: September 2021

View Publication
The effects of exercise intensity on the cortisol response to a subsequent acute psychosocial stressor
Publication: Psychoneuroendocrinology
UBC Author(s): Eli Puterman (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education), Mark Beauchamp (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 03064530
Volume: 131
Publication Date: September 2021

View Publication
Self-regulatory efficacy and long-term physical activity engagement: Examining mediators from a randomized trial
Publication: Psychology of Sport and Exercise
UBC Author(s): Mark Beauchamp (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 14690292
Volume: 56
Publication Date: September 2021

View Publication
Responsiveness of one-carbon metabolites to a high-protein diet in older men: Results from a 10-wk randomized controlled trial
Publication: Nutrition
UBC Author(s): Cameron Mitchell (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 08999007
Volume: 89
Publication Date: September 2021

View Publication
“Helmets aren’t cool”: Surfers’ perceptions and attitudes towards protective headgear
Publication: International Review for the Sociology of Sport
UBC Author(s): Andrea Bundon (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 10126902
Volume: 56
Page Range: 739-756
Publication Date: August 2021

View Publication
Initial experience of balance assessment introduces ‘first trial’ effects on emotional state and postural control
Publication: Gait and Posture
UBC Author(s): Mark Carpenter (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 09666362
Volume: 88
Page Range: 116-121
Publication Date: July 2021

View Publication
Investigating Attachment Insecurity and Somatosensory Amplification, and the Mediating Role of Interpersonal Problems
Publication: European Journal of Health Psychology
UBC Author(s): Daniel Cox (Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 25128442
Volume: 28
Page Range: 120-130
Publication Date: July 2021

View Publication
Location-Based Sedentary Time and Physical Activity in People Living with Coronary Artery Disease
Publication: Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention
UBC Author(s): Darren Warburton (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 19327501
Volume: 41
Page Range: 237-242
Publication Date: July 2021

View Publication
The association between heart rate variability, reaction time, and indicators of workplace fatigue in wildland firefighters
Publication: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health
UBC Author(s): Darren Warburton (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education), Shannon Bredin (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 03400131
Volume: 94
Page Range: 823-831
Publication Date: July 2021

View Publication
Soleus responses to Achilles tendon stimuli are suppressed by heel and enhanced by metatarsal cutaneous stimuli during standing
Publication: Journal of Physiology
UBC Author(s): J Timothy Inglis (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education), Mark Carpenter (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education), Jean-Sebastien Blouin (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 00223751
Volume: 599
Page Range: 3611-3625
Publication Date: 15 July 2021

View Publication
Reduced Emotional Awareness and Distress Concealment: A Pathway to Loneliness for Young Men Seeking Mental Health Care
Publication: Frontiers in Psychology
UBC Author(s): Daniel Cox (Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 12
Publication Date: 21 June 2021

View Publication
The Case For Commemoration Controversies In Canadian History Education
Publication: Canadian Journal of Education
UBC Author(s): Lindsay Gibson (Curriculum & Pedagogy / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 03802361
Volume: 44
Page Range: 434-465
Publication Date: June 2021

View Publication
Language-in-Education Policies in Japan Versus Transnational Workers’ Voices: Two Faces of Neoliberal Communication Competence
Publication: TESOL Quarterly
UBC Author(s): Ryuko Kubota (Language & Literacy Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 00398322
Volume: 55
Page Range: 458-485
Publication Date: June 2021

View Publication
Physical performance development in a female national team soccer program
Publication: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
UBC Author(s): Michael Koehle (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 14402440
Volume: 24
Page Range: 597-602
Publication Date: June 2021

View Publication
Post-secondary students' adherence to the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Adults: Results from the first deployment of the Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey (CCWS)
Publication: Health promotion and chronic disease prevention in Canada : research, policy and practice
UBC Author(s): Guy Faulkner (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 41
Page Range: 173-181
Publication Date: 1 June 2021

View Publication
The Moderating Effect of Depression Symptoms on the Concordance between the Experience and Verbal Disclosure of Emotion
Publication: Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment
UBC Author(s): Daniel Cox (Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 08822689
Volume: 43
Page Range: 293-302
Publication Date: June 2021

View Publication
Using a biomathematical model to assess fatigue risk and scheduling characteristics in Canadian wildland firefighters
Publication: International Journal of Wildland Fire
UBC Author(s): Darren Warburton (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education), Shannon Bredin (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 10498001
Volume: 30
Page Range: 467-473
Publication Date: June 2021

View Publication
Influence of step-surface visual properties on confidence, anxiety, dynamic stability, and gaze behaviour in young and older adults
Publication: Human Movement Science
UBC Author(s): Mark Carpenter (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 01679457
Volume: 77
Publication Date: June 2021

View Publication
Offering welcome in the kingdom of the sick: A physician guide to hospitality
Publication: Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice
UBC Author(s): Claudia Ruitenberg (Educational Studies / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 13561294
Volume: 27
Page Range: 571-577
Publication Date: June 2021

View Publication
Transition Processes and Outcomes for Immigrant and Refugee Youth: a Narrative Review from a Goal-Directed Perspective
Publication: Journal of International Migration and Integration
UBC Author(s): Richard Young (Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 14883473
Volume: 22
Page Range: 429-451
Publication Date: June 2021

View Publication
Patient-reported outcomes and the identification of subgroups of atrial fibrillation patients: a retrospective cohort study of linked clinical registry and administrative data
Publication: Quality of Life Research
ISSN: 09629343
Volume: 30
Page Range: 1547-1559
Publication Date: June 2021

View Publication
Faith in the Unexpected: The Event of Obligation in Teaching
Publication: LEARNing Landscapes
UBC Author(s): Anne Phelan (Curriculum & Pedagogy / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 14
Page Range: 305-315
Publication Date: June 2021

View Publication
Global Englishes and teaching culture
Publication: Language Teacher Education for Global Englishes: A Practical Resource Book
UBC Author(s): Ryuko Kubota (Language & Literacy Education / Faculty of Education)
Page Range: 135-143
Publication Date: 31 May 2021

View Publication
Partitioning the work of breathing during running and cycling using optoelectronic plethysmography
Publication: Journal of Applied Physiology
UBC Author(s): William Sheel (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 87507587
Volume: 130
Page Range: 1460-1469
Publication Date: May 2021

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
2021 Dr. Melton studied how developing a sense of wonder in pre-service teachers influenced their ideas about science and science teaching. She found that exposure to wonder-inducing activities shifted the views and values of pre-service teachers towards science both in and out of the classroom and fostered a stronger connection with nature. Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD)
2021 Dr. Dormond studied the understanding and response of counsellors, police and educators to "honour"-related violence and oppression, and found that discourses of othering depict racialized communities as the cause of these acts. He provides insight for collaborative and educational frameworks to challenge the marginalization of racialized peoples. Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies (PhD)
2021 Dr. Becker examined how two Chilean-Canadian heritage language learners were socialized to remember their difficult cultural heritage at home and at their Spanish bilingual elementary school. This study sheds light on the sophisticated navigation of uneven cultural terrain by children in heritage language education contexts generations after exile. Doctor of Philosophy in Language and Literacy Education (PhD)
2021 Dr. Wong explored inquiry-based learning experiences of Grade 6 English Language Learners in a technology-enhanced classroom. Her results indicated that students were engaged in innovative learning tasks which encouraged them to move their competencies, such as effective internet use, and knowledge, such as grandparent stories, into the classroom. Doctor of Philosophy in Teaching English as a Second Language (PhD)
2021 Dr. Riazi examined social-ecological factors that influence the independent mobility of children in Canada. Her research highlighted the role of multi-level and multi-sectoral factors such as child age, social cohesion, and the built environment on independent mobility and provided focus for future initiatives promoting childhood independent mobility. Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology (PhD)
2021 Dr. Paterson explored how educators in Alberta engage with queer, trans, and gender non-conforming diversity in elementary education. Her findings illustrate the limitations of current approaches to change in schools. Her work contributes to a better schooling future for queer and trans students, thereby improving conditions for all students. Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies (PhD)
2021 Dr. Gilman explored the impact of a family literacy program on women with immigrant and refugee backgrounds. This study concluded that a three-way model of family literacy has the potential for highly positive outcomes in both social and academic domains. Doctor of Philosophy in Teaching English as a Second Language (PhD)
2021 Dr. Delgado used narrative inquiry to explore the pedagogical potential of student activism, and how the experience of activism transforms both the role of students and activists. Dr. Delgado studied the context of resistance from economics students to traditional content and pedagogies of introductory economics courses in UK universities. Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD)
2021 In a community of practice, Dr. Smith artistically explored the pedagogical possibilities and ethics of photo-based memory work in the exhibition Against Disappearance: A Photographic Search for Memory. Her work on lexical thinking and visual lifewriting expands understandings of photographic inquiry, highlighting a/r/tography's creative potential. Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD)
2021 Dr. Yanko created and investigated a novel approach for assessing arts learning experiences. He discovered how the arts can enable educators to illuminate the values and judgments of student creativity, imagination, and meaning-making. Findings show this practice to be inclusive, democratic, and tangible for all learners in a classroom community. Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD)

Pages

 

Dr. Derek Gladwin appointed as Senior Editor for Environmental and Sustainability Education in the Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education

July 30, 2021 Dr. Derek Gladwin was recently appointed as Senior Editor for Environmental and Sustainability Education in the Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education, published with the Oxford University Press. Peer-reviewed and regularly updated, the Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education is...

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Dr. Lee Gunderson is Elected to the Reading Hall of Fame

  Please join us in congratulating Dr. Lee Gunderson, Professor in the Faculty of Education, who has been recognized for his lifelong achievements in the field of reading through election to the Reading Hall of Fame. The Reading Hall of Fame aims to contribute, from the collective experiences...

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UBC Faculty of Education members help lead the City of Vancouver’s unanimously approved Equity Framework

June 28, 2021   ” It was very important, for example, for us to name and work with the distinction between Indigenous Rights and the struggles of racialized groups in Vancouver, in an accurate and responsible way.” – Dr. Handel Kashope Wright Equity Framework: City of Vancouver...

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Dr. Michelle Stack Receives Public Engagement Award

July 13, 2021 Dr. Michelle Stack, Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Studies, was recently awarded a Public Engagement Award by UBC’s Public Humanities Hub. The Public Engagement Awards were created to honour individuals who have exhibited outstanding public humanities engagement...

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Dr. Ali Abdi Receives David N. Wilson Award for Distinguished Service

July 12, 2021 Please join us in congratulating Dr. Ali Abdi, Professor in the Faculty of Education, who is the 2021 recipient of the David N. Wilson Award for Distinguished Service. The award, which is bestowed by the Comparative and International Education Society of Canada (CIESC), recognizes...

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Dr. Jan Hare appointed as Dean pro tem of the UBC Faculty of Education

July 1, 2021   Congratulations to Dr. Jan Hare, Dean pro tem of the UBC Faculty of Education, effective July 1, 2021 Andrew Szeri, Provost and Vice-President, Academic, UBC Vancouver and Ananya Mukherjee Reed, Provost and Vice-President, Academic, UBC Okanagan are pleased to announce the...

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