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). Find out more about our Faculty-wide focal areas, including Indigenous education, sexual orientation and gender-identity inclusive (SOGI) education, mental health literacies, and our many professional development opportunities for education professionals. 

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

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
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
Christensen, Carly
Chua, Romeo School of Kinesiology Human perceptual-motor control, vision and action, perceptual-motor compatibility, coordination

Pages

Graduate Student Stories

Linnea Kalchos

Master of Arts in School and Applied Child Psychology (MA)

School-Based Support Services through the Process of School Integration: A Phenomenological Exploration of Newcomer Youth Experiences

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)
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.

 

Early Chinese heritage language learning in Canada: A study of Mandarin- and Cantonese-speaking children's receptive vocabulary attainment
Publication: System
UBC Author(s): Lee Paul Gunderson (Language & Literacy Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 0346251X
Volume: 103
Publication Date: December 2021

View Publication
Does height-induced threat modulate shortening of reaction times induced by a loud stimulus in a lateral stepping and a wrist extension task?
Publication: Human Movement Science
UBC Author(s): J Timothy Inglis (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education), Mark Carpenter (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 01679457
Volume: 80
Publication Date: December 2021

View Publication
Mitochondria-targeted antioxidant supplementation improves 8 km time trial performance in middle-aged trained male cyclists
Publication: Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
UBC Author(s): Cameron Mitchell (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 18
Publication Date: December 2021

View Publication
Ketogenesis controls mitochondrial gene expression and rescues mitochondrial bioenergetics after cervical spinal cord injury in rats
Publication: Scientific Reports
UBC Author(s): Robert Boushel (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 11
Publication Date: December 2021

View Publication
When physical activity meets the physical environment: precision health insights from the intersection
Publication: Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine
UBC Author(s): Michael Koehle (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 1342078X
Volume: 26
Publication Date: December 2021

View Publication
Randomized controlled trial of sulforaphane and metabolite discovery in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Publication: Molecular Autism
UBC Author(s): Susan James (Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 12
Publication Date: December 2021

View Publication
Evaluation of health care providers’ use of the ‘Exercise and Depression Toolkit’: a case study
Publication: BMC Psychiatry
UBC Author(s): Guy Faulkner (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 21
Publication Date: December 2021

View Publication
Growth mixture models: a case example of the longitudinal analysis of patient‐reported outcomes data captured by a clinical registry
Publication: BMC Medical Research Methodology
Volume: 21
Publication Date: December 2021

View Publication
An intensity matched comparison of laser- and contact heat evoked potentials
Publication: Scientific Reports
UBC Author(s): Jean-Sebastien Blouin (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 11
Publication Date: December 2021

View Publication
Association between physical activity level and cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents living with type 1 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study
Publication: Cardiovascular Diabetology
UBC Author(s): Darren Warburton (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education), Michael Koehle (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education), Shannon Bredin (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 20
Publication Date: December 2021

View Publication
MOTS-c is an exercise-induced mitochondrial-encoded regulator of age-dependent physical decline and muscle homeostasis
Publication: Nature Communications
UBC Author(s): Cameron Mitchell (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 12
Publication Date: December 2021

View Publication
Selective preservation of changes to standing balance control despite psychological and autonomic habituation to a postural threat
Publication: Scientific Reports
UBC Author(s): Mark Carpenter (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 11
Publication Date: December 2021

View Publication
The effect of fatigue on asymmetry between lower limbs in functional performances in elite child taekwondo athletes
Publication: Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
UBC Author(s): Darren Warburton (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education), Shannon Bredin (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 16
Publication Date: December 2021

View Publication
The acute effects of periodic and noisy tendon vibration on wrist muscle stretch responses
Publication: Neuroscience Letters
UBC Author(s): Mark Carpenter (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 03043940
Volume: 764
Publication Date: 1 November 2021

View Publication
A discursive constructionist approach to narrative in language teaching and learning research
Publication: System
UBC Author(s): Steven Talmy (Language & Literacy Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 0346251X
Volume: 102
Publication Date: November 2021

View Publication
How does cervical spinal cord injury impact the cardiopulmonary response to exercise?
Publication: Respiratory Physiology and Neurobiology
UBC Author(s): William Sheel (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 15699048
Volume: 293
Publication Date: November 2021

View Publication
The effect of elevated protein intake on dna damage in older people: Comparative secondary analysis of two randomized controlled trials
Publication: Nutrients
UBC Author(s): Cameron Mitchell (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 13
Publication Date: October 2021

View Publication
Emotional agents in educational game design: Heroes of math island
Publication: International Journal of Game-Based Learning
UBC Author(s): Stephen Petrina (Curriculum & Pedagogy / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 21556849
Volume: 11
Page Range: 72-89
Publication Date: October-December 2021

View Publication
Couple-Based Physical Activity Planning for New Parents: A Randomized Trial
Publication: American Journal of Preventive Medicine
UBC Author(s): Darren Warburton (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education), Mark Beauchamp (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 07493797
Volume: 61
Page Range: 518-528
Publication Date: October 2021

View Publication
‘We are all in this together’: Investigating alignments in intersectoral partnerships dedicated to K-12 food literacy education
Publication: Health Education Journal
UBC Author(s): Kerry Renwick (Curriculum & Pedagogy / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 00178969
Volume: 80
Page Range: 699-711
Publication Date: October 2021

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“You get that craving and you go for a half-hour run”: Exploring the acceptability of exercise as an adjunct treatment for substance use disorder
Publication: Mental Health and Physical Activity
UBC Author(s): Guy Faulkner (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 17552966
Volume: 21
Publication Date: October 2021

View Publication
Now you see me, now you don't: Adapting practice through target exclusion negatively impacts motor learning
Publication: Human Movement Science
UBC Author(s): Nicola Hodges (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 01679457
Volume: 79
Publication Date: October 2021

View Publication
Mechanism of Staphylococcus aureus peptidoglycan O-acetyltransferase A as an O-acyltransferase
Publication: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
UBC Author(s): Anthony Clarke (Curriculum & Pedagogy / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 00278424
Volume: 118
Publication Date: 7 September 2021

View Publication
Social Disconnection During COVID-19: The Role of Attachment, Fear of Missing Out, and Smartphone Use
Publication: Journal of Research on Adolescence
UBC Author(s): Jennifer Shapka (Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 10508392
Volume: 31
Page Range: 748-763
Publication Date: September 2021

View Publication
An integrative approach to the pulmonary physiology of exercise: when does biological sex matter?
Publication: European Journal of Applied Physiology
UBC Author(s): William Sheel (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 14396319
Volume: 121
Page Range: 2377-2391
Publication Date: September 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)

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UBC Black Futures 2022

Dr. Annette Henry’s UBC Black Futures is a two-pronged project spanning three years with secondary school students and undergraduate students, part of a larger five university project. Learn more about the projects by watching the below online event hosted by York University on October 6, 2021,...

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Community Update

October 2021 | published once each term Message from Dr. Jan Hare, Dean pro tem Welcome to the inaugural edition of Community Update, an opportunity to share with you a little bit about what I am currently focusing on, along with some of the scholarly and other work going on in our Faculty of...

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Six Questions with Susanne Maguire

October 15, 2021 On this International Day of Rural Women, we are pleased to present Six Questions with Susanne Maguire, the Elementary Program Coordinator for the West Kootenay Rural Teacher Education Program (WKTEP). WKTEP places a strong emphasis on place-conscious learning with strong ties to...

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Maclean’s 2022 Rankings

October 12, 2021 According to the recently published 2022 Maclean’s rankings for education programs, the UBC Faculty of Education ties as 1st in Canada. Maclean’s seventh annual program rankings assess programs and research from a reputation perspective. Maclean’s contacted faculty and...

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Education about and for the Amazon rainforest and Indigenous rights

October 6, 2021 “The fight against the climate crisis—which is also the fight against human extinction—depends on the protection of Indigenous peoples’ rights. We are the front lines of protecting the Amazon forest and many other sensitive areas in Brazil and around the world. Now is the time to...

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Six Questions with Megan Hoekstra

October 5, 2021 Six Questions with Megan Hoekstra For World Teacher’s Day we are pleased to present Six Questions with Megan Hoekstra, a recent graduate of the Faculty of Education. Megan received her Bachelor of Education in 2021, and was part of the Outdoor Learning cohort. She is passionate...

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