Applications are now open for the 2027 Lind Initiative Seminar (PPGA 591C)! This course will guide students to examine the current political moment, while developing the skills to engage substantially with different viewpoints.  Learn more and apply: https://lindinitiative.ubc.ca/course/

During the first-ever Nepali Heritage Day in BC, UBC Professors and recent MPPGA Alum, Salina Dolmo Lama, launched the first open-access Nepali textbook titled, "Introduction to the Nepali Language."  Read more: https://www.arts.ubc.ca/news/ubc-launches-the-first-free-open-access-nepali-textbook/

Congratulations to Professors Juliet Lu and Rashid Sumaila who have been recognized as recipients of the SHHRC Insight Development Grants to continue their respective researches in global sustainability and resource economy reform.  Read more here: https://research.ubc.ca/news/july-21-2026/sshrc

The CARE Program has opened applications for several opportunities in the fall of 2026. If you are a student interested in developing your understanding of environmental policy, these may be for you. See full details and apply here: https://www.care-climate.com/news/care-fall-student-opportunities/

@ubcdemocracy.bsky.social's Heidi Tworek and Chris Tenove, alongside MPPGA alums Steewa Maria Philip and Joel Sawyer have recently written a piece covering the increase of harassment against local politicians. Read more: https://policyoptions.irpp.org/2026/07/harassment-municipal-politicians-canada/

How should Canada engage with a rapidly shifting Indo-Pacific amid a global "rupture"? The 2026 Indo-Pacific Symposium brought researchers and policy professionals to examine Canada's role. Read more: https://sppga.ubc.ca/news/dynamism-in-the-indo-pacific-leading-the-way-toward-a-new-world-order/

You're only 6 minutes away from understanding the nuclear waste crisis. Prof. Allison Macfarlane, SPPGA Director and leading expert on nuclear waste disposal expert, explains. Learn more here: https://www.wsj.com/articles/expert-explains-how-to-fix-americas-100-000-ton-nuclear-waste-crisis-49ba8727

SPPGA Prof. Kristen Hopewell spoke at the AMNC 2026 session, "Less Talk, More Deals," on rising bilateral, regional trade agreements amid strain on the multilateral trading system.  Learn more: https://www.weforum.org/meetings/annual-meeting-of-the-new-champions-2026/sessions/less-talk-more-deals/

Bulgan Batdorj, recipient of the 2024 Olav Slaymaker Scholarship and Prof. Nadja Kunz have been published as co-authors on the article "Conceptual tensions and practical limitations of transparency in the mining sector." Read more: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214790X26001206

What does a "new international order" look like and how is it reshaping the world around us? SPPGA Profs Max Cameron and Heidi Tworek sat down with the Vancouver Public Library to dig into shifting global politics, media, and democracy. View the recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5LeS2zhwDA

Prof. Candis Callison (SPPGA; CIS) co-authors a new piece which proposes different ways of studying the Arctic, including recognizing kinship as a form of infrastructure.  Learn more: https://theconversation.com/researchers-ask-us-to-rethink-the-ways-we-see-and-study-the-arctic-281612

The Jordan Levi-Matin Memorial Award in Public Policy and Global Affairs has been granted to MPPGA student Mehre Dlir--in memory of a passionate advocate for education. Read more: https://sppga.ubc.ca/news/announcing-the-jordan-levi-matin-memorial-award-in-public-policy-and-global-affairs/

Dr. Rashid Sumaila (SPPGA;@ubcoceans.bsky.social) co-authors a new piece published in npj Ocean Sustainability. "The ocean crisis demands a new kind of science" argues that scientists must become active agents of change.  Read more here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s44183-026-00204-2

SPPGA Professor and Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions (CSDI) Director Heidi Tworek evaluates the limits and potential of developing safety regulations for the online environment of Canada.  Read more: https://rsc-src.ca/en/voices/heidi-tworek-shaping-safer-online-future-for-canadians

New report: Learning from Disasters in Scholarship & Practice explores disaster resilience through collaboration between Nepal and BC. Includes contributions from SPPGA members, including MPPGA students Salina Dolmo Lama and Yi Yi Wang. 🔗 https://drrn.ubc.ca/learning-disasters-scholarship-practice

An interdisciplinary group of researchers are inviting a Post-doctoral Research Fellow to bridge the gap between mining design and social, ecological, and cultural practices. Apply now. Learn more: https://sppga.ubc.ca/news/post-doctoral-fellowship-ethnographic-research/

In this course designed by the CARE consortium, students engage with diverse audiences and learn how policy design and cross-sector collaboration directly impacts the climate crisis. Apply by July 3: https://sppga.ubc.ca/news/new-course-on-global-climate-action-policies-practices-apply-by-july-3/

SPPGA is welcoming applications for Sessional Lecturers for the Winter 2026-2027 academic term (September 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027). Deadline extended to June 16. Learn More: https://f.mtr.cool/dcgtucyurh

This graduation season, we're celebrating the many paths our alumni have taken since earning their MPPGA degrees. From government relations and education policy to consulting and research, their stories showcase the impact of public policy in action.

Take a look at some of the highlights from the MPPGA Class of 2026 graduation—a wonderful day honouring our graduating students, their families, and the faculty and staff who supported them throughout these past two years.  Read more: https://sppga.ubc.ca/news/congratulations-mppga-class-of-2026/

Co-written by Prof. Veena Sriram (SPPGA; SPPH), this Op-Ed challenges Canada's commitment to the Ethical Recruitment Framework and the ethical concerns behind the recruitment of IEHPs. Read more: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-health-care-workers-international-hospital-recruitment/

Application deadline has been extended to May 31 for MPPGA Sessional Lecturers for the Winter 2026-2027 academic term (September 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027). Learn More: https://f.mtr.cool/wgryyevvck

Over the last two years, MPPGA’s Class of 2026 has tackled complex policy challenges, strengthened their leadership, and collaborated across borders. As they step into the next chapter of their careers, we celebrate the curiosity and commitment they brought to our community. Congrats Class of 2026!

Activist and artist Sharona Franklin presents her exhibit at SPPGA’s Liu Lobby Gallery combining sculpture, design, illustration and poetry as expressions of accessibility. Exhibit runs April 30 – Aug 21 https://f.mtr.cool/sdbxaboxpd

SPPGA is now welcoming applications for Sessional Lecturers for the Winter 2026-2027 academic term (September 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027). Applications close May 24. Learn More: https://f.mtr.cool/zfefrxqjwi

Are you an organization who wants to work with one of our student research teams? For their capstone policy projects, MPPGA student teams consult directly with client organizations to address real-world policy challenges. Apply by June 8: https://f.mtr.cool/bceigsburc

8 years after Canada’s SMR roadmap strategy was released, SPPGA Prof. M.V. Ramana's co-authored report urges a reassessment of expectations and alternatives for near-term climate and energy benefits. https://f.mtr.cool/rxtsbxwvlf

“We have to recognize the small victories that we take and hold on to them… in order to build the society, the future that we want to see.” Watch Hasan Piker’s full Lind Initiative talk from February 12th on SPPGA’s YouTube channel here: https://f.mtr.cool/duikomwqqe

On March 26, the Centre for Japanese Research screened Black Box Diaries (2024) with Shiori Ito. The Oscar- and BAFTA-nominated film traces her pursuit of justice and helped spark Japan’s #MeToo movement. More from the event: https://f.mtr.cool/zzjziorxhb

The Centre for India and South Asia Research invites applications for the $3,000 Nehru Humanitarian Graduate Scholarship in Indian Studies. Applications are due May 5, 2026. Read more: https://f.mtr.cool/jqkxtigkws