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Public Scholars Award

Latest updates from the PSI network, as well as photos, videos, and other material from past events.

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Collaborative futures: 36 doctoral students welcomed into 11th cohort of Public Scholars Initiative 

36 doctoral students from both campuses pursue interdisciplinary, community-engaged PhD work with real world impact.  

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Serbulent Turan receives President's Staff Award

The Manager of the Public Scholars Initiative has received recognition from the University for his role at UBC.

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Public Scholars Initiative accepting applications

Doctoral students can apply for this innovative program to receive up to $10,000 twice.

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Aerial photo of Vancouver campus with the words Public Scholars Initiative over top

UBC Public Scholars Initiative announces 35 new doctoral students, continuing a decade of supporting collaborative scholarship

Doctoral students from both campuses pursue interdisciplinary, community-engaged PhD work with real world impact. 

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The rise of public scholarship

UBC's Public Scholars Initiative was recently featured in an article in University Affairs magazine.

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Public Scholars Initiative welcomes new researchers

The latest cohort of Public Scholars includes 43 doctoral students, nine of whom are focused on improving health equity.

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Picture of UBC's Public Scholars Initiative accepting applications

UBC's Public Scholars Initiative accepting applications

Apply to become a Public Scholar by Friday, May 12.

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Picture of New opportunity for doctoral students conducting research to improve health equity

New opportunity for doctoral students conducting research to improve health equity

UBC's Public Scholars Initiative (PSI) has added a new Health Equity Stream for scholars in health research.

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Climate Emergency Fund recipients share back: Public Scholars Initiative

The Public Scholars Initiative (PSI) is an award-winning program at UBC that is recognized for its excellence in supporting and promoting doctoral students in undertaking impactful research for the public good.  

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Picture of Graduate student scholars contributing to the public good

Graduate student scholars contributing to the public good

UBC's Public Scholars Initiative has welcomed 45 new scholars for its 2022/23 cohort, including seven at the Okanagan campus.

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Climate Stories from UBC

On October 27, climate researchers from UBC will gather to tell stories about their work for climate justice.

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Picture of Public Scholars Initiative welcomes 38 scholars for the 2021/22 academic year

Public Scholars Initiative welcomes 38 scholars for the 2021/22 academic year

The incoming 2021/22 PSI scholars are from nearly every faculty and discipline at UBC.

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Picture of PSI scholar publishes book about food security

PSI scholar publishes book about food security

As we move into an environmentally uncertain future where issues of food supply are increasingly more urgent, questions around food security are being tackled by researchers around the globe. Public Scholar Meagan Curtis collaborated with Vancouver Island residents, to tap into existing wisdom and knowledge about our food systems.…

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New Public Scholars - 2019-2020

Public Scholars Initiative Launches its Fifth Year!

UBC’s groundbreaking Public Scholars Initiative has launched its fifth year on September 26, 2019 with a new cohort of 34 students!  

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Picture of PhDs Go Public Research Talks are back in 2019!

PhDs Go Public Research Talks are back in 2019!

The PhDs Go Public Research Talk Series returns once again in 2019 with four exciting talks, where doctoral students tell their community-engaged research stories in just under seven minutes.

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The PSI Launches its Fourth Year

The Public Scholars Initiative Launches its Fourth Year!

UBC’s groundbreaking Public Scholars Initiative has launched its fourth year on September 21, 2018 with a new cohort of 35 students!  

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Symposium 2017 Report Published

Reimagining the PhD Symposium 2017 Report Published

The final report for the Reimagining the PhD Symposium 2017 is published.  Held at UBC's Jack Poole Hall on 29 September 2017, the Symposium brought together noted scholars, community partners, practitioners, and students to discuss the future of doctoral education.  The main recommendations that emerged from the…

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Picture of PhDs Go Public Returns in 2018!

PhDs Go Public Returns in 2018!

The PhDs Go Public Research Talk Series returns in 2018 with six dynamic events, where doctoral students tell their community-engaged research stories in just under seven minutes. First initiated by the Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies in the 2015-6 academic year, the PhDs Go Public events…

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Picture of Public Scholars Initiative Launches its 3rd Year

Public Scholars Initiative Launches its 3rd Year

UBC’s groundbreaking Public Scholars Initiative has launched its third year with a new cohort of 36 doctoral students! The award-winning program continues to encourage and support doctoral students from all disciplines across UBC who wish to undertake impactful dissertation research and/or knowledge mobilization that engages …

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The Transcendence Fountain, in front of Thea Koerner House, fall 2017.

Public Scholars Initiative project report now available

The report on the first two years of the pilot project Public Scholars Initiative is ready. Now in its third year, the PSI has funded 115 students from all disciplines across UBC who have worked and are working as part of their doctoral scholarship with over 100 different partner organizations in 32 countries.

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François Lachapelle (left) and Patrick John Burnett

Sociology PhD Students Win Prize for Co-Authored Paper

Congratulations to sociology PhD students and Public Scholars Initiative members François Lachapelle and Patrick John Burnett on winning the Canadian Sociological Association's Best Student Paper Award.

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Efe Peker, Susan Porter and Jenny Phelps with the 2016/17 Helen McCrae Award.

Public Scholars Initiative receives 2016/17 Helen McCrae Award

On March 30, 2016, the Public Scholars Initiative (PSI) received the 2016/17 Helen McCrae Award during the UBC Vancouver Student Development Awards. This award recognizes a service for students provided by the AMS, GSS, or UBC in honour of Helen McCrae’s commitment and contributions to community.

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Picture of Video: Engaging Education for Public Good

Video: Engaging Education for Public Good

The first event of the 2017 PhDs Go Public Research Talk Series took place on 26 January 2017. In this event, Engaging Education for Public Good, 7 PhD students from UBC's Public Scholars Initiative talked about their education-related research, and how it can make a positive contribution in and out of the university. Watch the full video here.  

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Picture of PhDs Go Public is Back!

PhDs Go Public is Back!

The PhDs Go Public Research Talk Series returns in 2017 with five dynamic events, where doctoral students tell their community-engaged research stories in just under seven minutes. Save the date for January 26, March 15, March 23, April 12, and May 4.

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Picture of PSI Announces its 2016-17 Scholars

PSI Announces its 2016-17 Scholars

Now entering its second year, UBC's Public Scholars Initiative (PSI) welcomes 40 new doctoral students to its network, in addition to the 39 from last year. Congratulations to our 2016-17 scholars! Stay tuned for upcoming PSI events in the fall.

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Picture of PSI's First Graduate Dr. Sarah Munro Receives Prestigious Postdoctoral Fellowships

PSI's First Graduate Dr. Sarah Munro Receives Prestigious Postdoctoral Fellowships

As an outstanding doctoral student and first graduate of UBC's Public Scholars Initiative (PSI), Dr. Sarah Munro (Interdisciplinary Studies) is now set to continue her knowledge translation research through a postdoc co-funded by CIHR and MSFHR.

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From left: Charles Menzies, Phillip Vannini, Joel Bakan, and Jessica Hallenbeck.

Faculty filmmakers discuss integrating film in research

On June 27, Joel Bakan, Charles Menzies and Phillip Vannini gathered to discuss incorporating filmmaking into scholarly research.

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G+PS congratulates Dr. Efe Peker on winning SFU's Dean of Graduate Studies Convocation Medal!

PSI’s Dr. Efe Peker receives SFU’s Dean’s Convocation Medal

Congratulations to Dr. Efe Peker, coordinator of the Public Scholars Initiative, on completing his PhD and receiving SFU’s Dean of Graduate Studies Convocation Medal.

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Picture of The Socially Responsible University

The Socially Responsible University

Listen to the recording: How can the 21st century university best contribute to the public good, and make a meaningful impact in addressing global challenges? Featuring academic leaders in social responsibility, the Socially Responsible University Panel sought answers to such questions.

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Picture of PSI March Info Sessions

PSI March Info Sessions

Listen to the recording: UBC’s Public Scholars Initiative (PSI) provides academic and financial support (up to $10,000), professional development, and networking opportunities for doctoral students pursuing impactful, collaborative scholarship relevant to a diversity of careers.

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