In support of the University of British Columbia’s mission to be one of the world’s very best universities, the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (G+PS) strives to elevate achievement and enhance the education of graduate students in a global context.

The role of the Faculty is to support graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and the entire UBC graduate community in pursuit of a personal, professional and academic experience second to none. Among other responsibilities, G+PS seeks to ensure a transparent, consistent and equitable administration of graduate programs and awards, evaluation and quality assurance of graduate programs, advocacy for graduate and postdoctoral needs within the larger academic community, assistance with individual student and postdoctoral problems, and the provision of outstanding opportunities for professional development of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty in their role as supervisors.

At G+PS, we have been defining graduate education as 'the formation of scholars* who make a difference for good in the world'. Here, 'formation' entails learning, but also cultivating habits of heart and mind, and developing a professional identity and sense of purpose. The scholarship pursued refers to the broad activities that bring knowledge, rigour, and creativity to the extension and transformation of knowledge, whether that is inside the academy, outside its walls, or crossing between.

At the Vancouver campus, there are close to 3600 doctoral students and 6200 master's students, the fourth largest graduate student population among Canadian universities.  About 30% of master’s students, and 44% of doctoral students at UBC are international.

G+PS plays a central role in the strategic direction of graduate education at UBC.  It facilitates discussion on campus about the future of graduate education, provides an information hub for all topics related to graduate education, celebrates the achievement of graduate students and alumni, and provides advocacy for graduate students & Postdoctoral Fellow needs.

In its administrative capacity it provides services to units and graduate students across all academic faculties on the Vancouver campus – from recruitment of new students along the entire lifecycle to graduation and beyond. Services include: orientation, health and well-being, professional development, program administration, and thesis/dissertation support among other things.

G+PS is the home of the Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Program (ISGP), a unique graduate program that allows scholars to design their own curriculum under supervision of supervisors from any unit.

The university also hosts 850 postdoctoral fellows. UBC-appointed postdoctoral fellows can be found in over 90 departments and at affiliated sites including BC Cancer Agency, BC Centre for Disease Control, BC Children’s and Women’s Hospital, the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, St. Paul’s Hospital, and Vancouver General Hospital.

* term taken from Walker et al (2008), The Formation of Scholars. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

 

Research Highlights

UBC offers over 300 Graduate Degree Programs in nearly every academic field imaginable, and opportunities to pursue cutting-edge transdisciplinary study that crosses traditional boundaries. There is sure to be a program offered that aligns with your interests.

UBC attracts $580 million per year in research funding from government, non-profit organizations and industry through 8,800 projects and UBC researchers file over 230 patents a year. Many programs have state-of-art new buildings and facilities. At UBC you will work side by side with passionate scholars as you delve into the most meaningful questions of our world.

Graduate Degree Programs

Recent Publications

This is an incomplete sample of recent publications in chronological order by UBC faculty members with a primary appointment in the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

 

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
2016 Dr. Ouellet examines the history of Metis families evicted from Jasper National Park. He illustrates how these families are linked to the wider discourse concerning Metis rights and identity. This research highlights the diversity in Metis identity and outlines a way forward in truth telling and reconciliation between Parks Canada and Metis groups. Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD)
2016 Public places, like coffee shops, where we come together to socialize are known as "Third Places". Dr. Calderon introduced the concept of Third-placeness to articulate how the social, public and physical aspects of these experiences can be supported by digital technology across time and space. His research challenges the conventional understanding of Third Places. Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD)
2016 Dr. Munro studied the factors that influence women's choices for mode of birth after caesarean. She found that women are influenced by care provider's concerns about access to surgical services and legal liability. The Ministry of Health is using Dr. Munro's recommendations to create a strategy for supporting women's informed choices in childbirth. Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD)
2016 Dr. Fridkin explored issues surrounding the meaningful involvement of First Nations people in health policy decision-making in BC and Canada. She analyzed the findings to identify seven key elements of meaningful involvement and developed a framework for fostering meaningful involvement of First Nations people in a range of health policy contexts. Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD)
2016 Dr. Rivera focused on the design principles of Aztec urban planning. She developed a methodology that allowed accurate analyses of the astronomical and topographic orientations of ceremonial architecture by integrating a wide range of digital applications. This knowledge will aid in the understanding of ancient settlements anywhere in the world. Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD)
2016 Dr. Ipsiroglu investigated the possible causes of intractable insomnia in children and youth with neurodevelopmental conditions. Through the application of family ecology and ethnography in clinical and home studies, Dr. Ipsiroglu illustrates how conventional categorical diagnoses that ignore the inter-relationship of night-time and daytime behaviours can produce systemic gaps in healthcare. Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD)
2015 What's the story behind seafood on the table? Were producers and fisheries helped or harmed in production? Dr. Nakamura investigated effects from voluntary measures for sustainable seafood in an era of overfishing. Her findings show that new forms of industry self-regulation have led to agreement on ways to fix unsustainable practices. Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD)
2015 Dr. Stewart investigated how the culture of Indigenous architects informs their designs. This is the first known research to privilege the use of Indigenous Knowledge by Indigenous architects. Results of this research will inform the future education of Indigenous and non-Indigenous students in architecture and their practice within the profession. Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD)
2015 What do young parents do with health information, and how does it affect health outcomes? Dr. Greyson found that parents have complex, sophisticated methods for assessing health information. These findings will help public health organizations and educators use information more effectively to improve the health of young parents and their children. Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD)
2015 Dr. Krusi examined the social and structural factors that shape the working conditions of street-based sex workers in Vancouver. Her research shows how evolving sex work legislation, policing practices, and stigma intersect, to shape the working conditions of street-based sex workers, including their citizenship rights, violence, and ill health. Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies (PhD)

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