Student Newsletter

If you are a current ISGP student, please subscribe to the ISGP-Students mailing list in order to receive the Student Newsletter every Monday.

All current students must subscribe to this list. The ISGP Office uses this mailing list to communicate all important announcements (awards, deadlines, reminders…etc.) to all current ISGP students.

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ISGP Weekly Student Newsletter February 9, 2026

*Please check announcements from the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies' Graduate Pathway to Success program, and subscribe to their events alert here.

ISGP Community

Call for Poster Abstracts – ISGP Nexus Conference 2026
ISGP is seeking student presenters for the Nexus Conference, taking place March 30, 2026 at the GSS Loft. This year’s theme highlights interdisciplinary collaboration and approaches that cross sectors and systems. Poster abstracts (max 350 words) should include background, methods, results, and rationale. Submit your abstract by Jan 31, 2026 (11:59pm PST) via the submission form.

Student profile page- Showcase your story!
Exciting News! The Student Profile webpage is underway and ready for your input. Check out the first two profiles to see the information needed. Don't miss the chance to showcase your story—fill in the survey now! or reach out to our student peer mentor ritwik85@student.ubc.ca directly.

Join Our Student Community on Social Channels!
Looking to connect with fellow students and stay updated on events, resources, and community activities? Email our student mentor, Ritwik, at ritwik85@student.ubc.ca to get added to our social channels! Whether you’re looking for event updates, or just a space to connect, our community is here to support you. Don’t miss out—reach out today!

Call for Submissions - Mantle Interdisciplinary Journal
Mantle, the interdisciplinary journal at UBC, is currently accepting submissions for their 2nd issue. They are seeking thought-provoking work from all disciplines.

Courses

Check the UBC Calendar for course offerings.

Funding Opportunities

Wall Research Awards

Graduate awards, ranging in value from $25,000 (for Master’s students) to $30,000 (for Ph.D. students), have been made available through the Peter Wall Legacy Fund, an endowment established by Peter Wall, for graduate students whose research relates to one of three specific areas of interest:

  • sustainable approaches to and development of the general urban environment, including water, energy and transportation infrastructure in British Columbia;
  • environmental protection of oceans, beaches and waterfronts that impact British Columbia;
  • and sustainable approaches to resource-intensive industry in British Columbia.

Projects within these areas of interest will principally relate to British Columbia, but may also apply to and address other Canadian and international regions.

These awards are intended to support students in their 5th and/or 6th year of their PhD program and to students in their 2nd or 3rd year of their Master’s program. Funding is available for up to 12 months for Master’s awardees, or until program completion, and for up to 24 months for PhD awardees, or until program completion. All awards will commence from September 1, 2026.

Application Deadline: March 31, 2026 at 4:00PM PT. Applications are submitted by applicants directly to G+PS.

Further information, including eligibility requirements and complete application procedures, is available on our website at: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/wall-awards. Questions can be directed to graduate.awards@ubc.ca.

G+PS Events & Workshops

GSS x UBC Rec Fitness Classes
Maintain your physical wellbeing with these energizing classes:
Yoga - Tuesdays, 12 - 1 pm, Thea's Lounge | Feb 10 - Mar 24 | $17
Pilates - Wednesdays, 4:30 - 5:30 pm, Thea's Lounge | Jan 28 - Mar 18 | $22
Spin - Thursdays, 1:15 - 2 pm, ARC @UBC Life Bldg | Feb 5 - Mar 26 | $25

The Joyful Journey: Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Scholar Professional Development Series (Spring 2026)
Online, Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL) series | Thursdays, 1 - 2 pm | View the full schedule. Sessions include:

Data Bites - Creating a Data Dictionary for Research Projects
Online | Monday, Feb 9 | 11:30 am - 12 pm Register

Using APIs to GET data from Vancouver's Open Data Catalogue
Online | Tuesday, Feb 10 | 10 - 11:30 am Register

Project and time management
Online Mitacs training | Tuesday, Feb 10 | 8 - 10 am | Mandatory online pre-requisite "Spur up your project management and time management skills"
Learn more and register for this or upcoming sessions through Mitacs Edge.

Superpower your work—with calmness
Interactive, with guided experiences, to help you gain practical insights into how stress affects attention, how your concentration shifts under pressure, and how grounding yourself can help you stay steady.
Online | Tuesday, Feb 10 | 12 - 1 pm Register

Quantum Computing Use Cases (3 hours, Technical)
Online | Wednesday, Feb 11 | 8 - 11 am
Learn more and register through Mitacs Edge.

Introduction to Git and GitHub: Part 2
Hybrid | Wednesday, Feb 11 | 10 am - 12 pm Register

Communicating Data Like a Human: Use Data to Tell a Story!
Online | Wednesday, Feb 11 | 12 - 1:30 pm Register

Framing your project in a masterful presentation
Online Mitacs training | Wednesday, Feb 11 | 6 - 8 am | Mandatory online pre-requisite "Refine your writing and presentation skills"
Learn more and register for this or upcoming sessions through Mitacs Edge.

Speaking as a Researcher: Turning Findings into Stories
Online | Wednesday, Feb 11 | 12 - 1:30 pm Register

Developing Your Teaching Philosophy Statement: Drafting and Feedback
Online | Wednesday, Feb 11 | 1 - 3 pm Register
In-person | Thursday, Feb 12 | 10 am - 12 pm Register

Data recovery & rescue: Some great geospatial data to cherish
Online | Thursday, Feb 12 | 10:30 - 11:30 am Register

Geopackages, or GIS without GIS
Online | Thursday, Feb 12 | 2 - 3:30 pm Register

Mastering the elevator pitch
Online Mitacs training | Thursday, Feb 12 | 6 - 8:30 am | Mandatory online pre-requisite "Enhance your communication skills"
Learn more and register for this or upcoming sessions through Mitacs Edge

Oral presentation practice sessions
Online, 20 min individual feedback sessions | Feb 13 - Mar 4 Register

Maximizing Learning Outcomes from Instructional Demonstration: Balancing Instructor- and Student-Led Experiential Learning
Online, CIRTL webinar | Tuesday, Feb 17 | 9 - 11 am Register. Cap is 50.

Data Bites - Depositing Research Data to Borealis, the Canadian Dataverse Repository
Online | Tuesday, Feb 17 | 11:30 am - 12:15 pm Register

Incorporating reconciliation, equity, diversity, and inclusion into your project
Online Mitacs training | Wednesday, Feb 18 | 1 - 3:30 pm | Mandatory online pre-requisite "Fostering a culture of reconciliation, equity, diversity, and inclusion" | Learn more and register through Mitacs Edge.

H5P Symposium
Theme: Designing the Future of Interactive Learning: H5P, OER, and GenAI.
Online | Wednesday & Thursday, Feb 18 & 19 Learn more and register.

Applying the principles of sound leadership and team building
Online Mitacs training | Thursday, Feb 19 | 3 - 5:30 pm | Mandatory online pre-requisite "High performing leadership and teams"
Learn more and register for this or upcoming sessions through Mitacs Edge.

Teaching Statements for the Academic Job Market
Online | Thursday, Feb 19 | 1 - 2 pm Register

Introduction to Python Two Day Intensive
Hybrid | Thursday & Friday, Feb 19 & 20 | 10 am - 12 pm & 1 - 4 pm Register

Spots avail: Graduate Instructional Skills Workshop
In-person | Feb 23,25, & 27 | 9 am - 5:30 pm Apply by Feb 20.
Check out other upcoming ISWs.

Quick Tips for Teaching
Online | Tuesday, Feb 23 | 10 - 11:30 am Register. Cap is 50.

23rd Annual Indigenous Graduate Student Symposium
Theme: Carrying Our Ancestors With Us: Knowledge, Responsibility and Collective Learning | Online and in-person | Friday & Saturday Mar 27 & 28
Abstract submission closes Feb 18 | Registration | Interested in guiding the vision and creation of the event? Email SAGE to volunteer.

Graduate Students in Teaching Conference
Online | Tuesday & Wednesday May 5 & 6 | Abstract Submission closes Mar 1.

Present your Research in Departmental or Open Heats
In-person, with online options | starting Feb 19 | Check out the schedule of heats to register | See the training videos, rules and eligibility.

26th Annual Interdisciplinary Legal Studies Graduate Conference
Theme: Is Law the Answer? Engaging the Law’s responses to difficult modern questions. In-person | Wednesday - Friday, May 6 - 8 | Abstract Submission deadline is Mar 2.

Career

Career Advising
Book an online appointment, Learn more.

Partnerships Beyond the University & Community-Based Research Experiences
IBioS panel discussions by and for graduate students
In-person | Tuesdays 4 - 5 pm | see details and register
Feb 10: Experiences in Community-Based Research

site "Boost your career"
Learn more and register for this or upcoming sessions through Mitacs Edge.

The World of Internal Audit: A Cross-Disciplinary Career!
In-person | Tuesday, Feb 10 | 5:30 - 7 pm Register

West Coast Virtual Fair
SFU, UBC, and UVic annual career fair
Online | Wednesday, Feb 11 | 10 am - 4 pm Register

Where Science Meets Strategy: Inside Life Sciences Consulting
Online | Thursday, Feb 12 | 12 - 1 pm Register. For additional resources, you may join Management Consulted through UBC's subscription.

Cover Letters for the Academic Job Market
Part of the eight-part CIRTL “The Joyful Journey: Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Scholar Professional Development Series.”
Online | Thursday, Feb 12 | 1 - 2 pm Register.

Information session: Stanford University
Learn about the Knight-Hennessy Scholars graduate-level scholarship program
In-person | Thursday, Feb 12 | 6 - 7 pm Register

Paid positions: Run for the GSS Executive
Learn more and submit your nomination by Feb 27. Available positions include:

  • President ($24,744/annum; at least 16 hrs/wk)
  • VP Students, VP External Relations, or VP University and Academic Affairs ($20, 760/annum; at least 13 hrs/wk)

Mitacs and Concordia AI Workshops
This five-module program offers research students practical, industry-aligned skills in artificial intelligence, including foundational literacy, applied AI problem-solving, project management, and responsible AI practices. Registration opens 2 weeks before each session and capacity is limited.
Learn more and register through Mitacs Edge for each session:

  • Applied AI Skills for Innovation Industry – Wednesday, Feb 18, 11 am PT
  • AI Strategy and Project Management – Wednesday, Mar 4, 11 am PT
  • Sustainable AI Practices: Balancing Innovation with Responsibility – Wednesday, Mar 18, 11 am PT
  • AI & Career Toolkit for Mitacs Program Participants – Tuesday, Mar 31, 11 am PT

Launch Your Career in Canada
In-person and online | Monday - Thursday, Feb 23 - 26 | Learn more and register, sessions include:

  • Path to Professional Success: Your First Canadian Work Experience
  • Chart Your Path: Making Career Decisions in Uncertain Times
  • Pathways to Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
  • Ask Hiring Managers and Alumni How to Get Recruited

Support & Resources

Register with the Centre for Accessibility
If you are a graduate student with an ongoing medical condition or disability that is impacting your academic experience, you may be eligible for graduate specific accommodations and supports. Contact the CFA to discuss.

Grad Student Support Group
Feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or challenged in balancing work and life? Join to connect with other graduate students in a non-judgmental and welcoming space to help navigate the unique challenges of grad school.
In-person | Wednesdays 1 - 2:30 pm Learn more
Additional group programs include ADHD skills, Relationship skills, 2STGD and Gender Questioning, and more.

Writing Resources
Check out the guides to writing and speaking including videos and a podcast on topics from academic integrity to the methods, challenges, and rewards of writing Learn more

Workshop materials: Digital Scholarship, Data visualization, Research Data Management, and more.
Check out the Research Commons online repository of workshop materials.

Indigenous Grad Student Writing Circle
Online | Every 2nd Sunday | 1 - 2:30 pm

ISGP Weekly Student Newsletter February 2, 2026

*Please check announcements from the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies' Graduate Pathway to Success program, and subscribe to their events alert here.

ISGP Community

Call for Poster Abstracts – ISGP Nexus Conference 2026
ISGP is seeking student presenters for the Nexus Conference, taking place March 30, 2026 at the GSS Loft. This year’s theme highlights interdisciplinary collaboration and approaches that cross sectors and systems. Poster abstracts (max 350 words) should include background, methods, results, and rationale. Submit your abstract by Jan 31, 2026 (11:59pm PST) via the submission form.

Meditation Sessions @ UBC Farm Yurt
Free | Wednesdays, 5:30–6:30 pm starting Sep 24 | Peer-led mindfulness practice: 20 min silent sit, 10 min technique/Q&A, 15 min walking meditation, 15 min discussion. Beginners welcome; tea and chairs provided (bring a cushion if you like). Location: UBC Farm Yurt (enter farm gate, turn right ~200 m). Open to students, faculty, and community; aligned with the Vipassana tradition. Learn more here

Student profile page- Showcase your story!
Exciting News! The Student Profile webpage is underway and ready for your input. Check out the first two profiles to see the information needed. Don't miss the chance to showcase your story—fill in the survey now! or reach out to our student peer mentor ritwik85@student.ubc.ca directly.

Join Our Student Community on Social Channels!
Looking to connect with fellow students and stay updated on events, resources, and community activities? Email our student mentor, Ritwik, at ritwik85@student.ubc.ca to get added to our social channels! Whether you’re looking for event updates, or just a space to connect, our community is here to support you. Don’t miss out—reach out today!

Call for Submissions - Mantle Interdisciplinary Journal
Mantle, the interdisciplinary journal at UBC, is currently accepting submissions for their 2nd issue. They are seeking thought-provoking work from all disciplines.

Courses

Check the UBC Calendar for course offerings.

Funding Opportunities

Wall Research Awards

Graduate awards, ranging in value from $25,000 (for Master’s students) to $30,000 (for Ph.D. students), have been made available through the Peter Wall Legacy Fund, an endowment established by Peter Wall, for graduate students whose research relates to one of three specific areas of interest:

  • sustainable approaches to and development of the general urban environment, including water, energy and transportation infrastructure in British Columbia;
  • environmental protection of oceans, beaches and waterfronts that impact British Columbia;
  • and sustainable approaches to resource-intensive industry in British Columbia.

Projects within these areas of interest will principally relate to British Columbia, but may also apply to and address other Canadian and international regions.

These awards are intended to support students in their 5th and/or 6th year of their PhD program and to students in their 2nd or 3rd year of their Master’s program. Funding is available for up to 12 months for Master’s awardees, or until program completion, and for up to 24 months for PhD awardees, or until program completion. All awards will commence from September 1, 2026.

Application Deadline: March 31, 2026 at 4:00PM PT. Applications are submitted by applicants directly to G+PS.

Further information, including eligibility requirements and complete application procedures, is available on our website at: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/wall-awards. Questions can be directed to graduate.awards@ubc.ca.

G+PS Events & Workshops

The Joyful Journey: Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Scholar Professional Development Series (Spring 2026)
Online, Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL) series | Thursdays, 1 - 2 pm | View the full schedule. Sessions include:

Data Visualization for Teaching and Learning Projects: Tips and Tricks
Online | Tuesday, Feb 3 | 1 - 2:30 pm Register

Write to Flourish, Write with Flourish: An On-Campus Writing Retreat
In-person | Wednesday, Feb 4 | 10 am - 3 pm Register

Graduate Instructional Skills Workshop
In-person | Feb 8, 14, & 15 | 9 am - 5:30 pm Apply by Feb 5.
Check out other upcoming ISWs.

Using Mendeley for Citation Management
Online | Friday, Feb 6 | 3:30 - 5 pm Register

Mapping for Academic Publication (Reference Maps)
Online | Monday, Feb 9 | 10 am - 12 pm Register

Data Bites - Creating a Data Dictionary for Research Projects
Online | Monday, Feb 9 | 11:30 am - 12 pm Register

Using APIs to GET data from Vancouver's Open Data Catalogue
Online | Tuesday, Feb 10 | 10 - 11:30 am Register

Project and time management
Online Mitacs training | Tuesday, Feb 10 | 8 - 10 am | Mandatory online pre-requisite "Spur up your project management and time management skills"
Learn more and register for this or upcoming sessions through Mitacs Edge.

Superpower your work—with calmness
Interactive, with guided experiences, to help you gain practical insights into how stress affects attention, how your concentration shifts under pressure, and how grounding yourself can help you stay steady.
Online | Tuesday, Feb 10 | 12 - 1 pm Register

Quantum Computing Use Cases (3 hours, Technical)
Online | Wednesday, Feb 11 | 8 - 11 am
Learn more and register through Mitacs Edge.

Introduction to Git and GitHub: Part 2
Hybrid | Wednesday, Feb 11 | 10 am - 12 pm Register

Communicating Data Like a Human: Use Data to Tell a Story!
Online | Wednesday, Feb 11 | 12 - 1:30 pm Register

Framing your project in a masterful presentation
Online Mitacs training | Wednesday, Feb 11 | 6 - 8 am | Mandatory online pre-requisite "Refine your writing and presentation skills"
Learn more and register for this or upcoming sessions through Mitacs Edge.

Speaking as a Researcher: Turning Findings into Stories
Online | Wednesday, Feb 11 | 12 - 1:30 pm Register

Developing Your Teaching Philosophy Statement: Drafting and Feedback
Online | Wednesday, Feb 11 | 1 - 3 pm Register
In-person | Thursday, Feb 12 | 10 am - 12 pm Register

Data recovery & rescue: Some great geospatial data to cherish
Online | Thursday, Feb 12 | 10:30 - 11:30 am Register

Geopackages, or GIS without GIS
Online | Thursday, Feb 12 | 2 - 3:30 pm Register

Mastering the elevator pitch
Online Mitacs training | Thursday, Feb 12 | 6 - 8:30 am | Mandatory online pre-requisite "Enhance your communication skills"
Learn more and register for this or upcoming sessions through Mitacs Edge

Maximizing Learning Outcomes from Instructional Demonstration: Balancing Instructor- and Student-Led Experiential Learning
Online, CIRTL webinar | Tuesday, Feb 17 | 9 - 11 am Register. Cap is 50.

GSS x UBC Rec Fitness Classes
Maintain your physical wellbeing with these energizing classes:
Yoga - Tuesdays, 12 - 1 pm, Thea's Lounge | Feb 10 - Mar 24 | $17
Pilates - Wednesdays, 4:30 - 5:30 pm, Thea's Lounge | Jan 28 - Mar 18 | $22
Spin - Thursdays, 1:15 - 2 pm, ARC @UBC Life Bldg | Feb 5 - Mar 26 | $25

Career

Career Advising
Book an online appointment, Learn more.

Partnerships Beyond the University & Community-Based Research Experiences
IBioS panel discussions by and for graduate students
In-person | Tuesdays 4 - 5 pm | see details and register
Feb 3: Shared Goals, Shared Outcomes: Partnerships Beyond the University
Feb 10: Experiences in Community-Based Research

Mix and Mingle: Networking Across Energy, Sustainability, and Innovation
Join the GSS and numberous UBC alumni and professionals (from City of Vancouver, Stantec, Lululemon, Creative Energy and more)
In-person | Thursday, Feb 5 | 5:30 - 7 pm Register

CVs for the Academic Job Market
Online, part of the eight-part CIRTL “The Joyful Journey: Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Scholar Professional Development Series.”
Thursday, Feb 5 | 1 - 2 pm Register.

Mastering the elevator pitch
Online Mitacs training | Wednesday, Feb 4 | 3 - 5:30 pm | Mandatory online pre-requisite "Boost your career"
Learn more and register for this or upcoming sessions through Mitacs Edge.

The World of Internal Audit: A Cross-Disciplinary Career!
In-person | Tuesday, Feb 10 | 5:30 - 7 pm Register

West Coast Virtual Fair
SFU, UBC, and UVic annual career fair
Online | Wednesday, Feb 11 | 10 am - 4 pm Register

Where Science Meets Strategy: Inside Life Sciences Consulting
Online | Thursday, Feb 12 | 12 - 1 pm Register. For additional resources, you may join Management Consulted through UBC's subscription.

Cover Letters for the Academic Job Market
Part of the eight-part CIRTL “The Joyful Journey: Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Scholar Professional Development Series.”
Online | Thursday, Feb 12 | 1 - 2 pm Register.

Information session: Stanford University
Learn about the Knight-Hennessy Scholars graduate-level scholarship program
In-person | Thursday, Feb 12 | 6 - 7 pm Register

Paid positions: Run for the GSS Executive
Learn more and submit your nomination by Feb 27. Available positions include:

  • President ($24,744/annum; at least 16 hrs/wk)
  • VP Students, VP External Relations, or VP University and Academic Affairs ($20, 760/annum; at least 13 hrs/wk)

Mitacs and Concordia AI Workshops
This five-module program offers research students practical, industry-aligned skills in artificial intelligence, including foundational literacy, applied AI problem-solving, project management, and responsible AI practices. Registration opens 2 weeks before each session and capacity is limited.
Learn more and register through Mitacs Edge for each session:

  • AI Foundations for Industry-Ready Research Students – Wednesday, Feb 4, 11 am - 2 pm PT
  • Applied AI Skills for Innovation Industry – Wednesday, Feb 18, 11 am PT
  • AI Strategy and Project Management – Wednesday, Mar 4, 11 am PT
  • Sustainable AI Practices: Balancing Innovation with Responsibility – Wednesday, Mar 18, 11 am PT
  • AI & Career Toolkit for Mitacs Program Participants – Tuesday, Mar 31, 11 am PT

Support & Resources

Register with the Centre for Accessibility
If you are a graduate student with an ongoing medical condition or disability that is impacting your academic experience, you may be eligible for graduate specific accommodations and supports. Contact the CFA to discuss.

Grad Student Support Group
Feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or challenged in balancing work and life? Join to connect with other graduate students in a non-judgmental and welcoming space to help navigate the unique challenges of grad school.
In-person | Wednesdays 1 - 2:30 pm Learn more
Additional group programs include ADHD skills, Relationship skills, 2STGD and Gender Questioning, and more.

Writing Resources
Check out the guides to writing and speaking including videos and a podcast on topics from academic integrity to the methods, challenges, and rewards of writing Learn more

Workshop materials: Digital Scholarship, Data visualization, Research Data Management, and more.
Check out the Research Commons online repository of workshop materials.

Fall Grad Student Writing Groups
Join other graduate students to write every Tuesday and/or Friday from 2 - 4 pm in the Graduate Life Centre.  RSVP or simply drop by. Questions? Email

Indigenous Grad Student Writing Circle
Online | Every 2nd Sunday | 1 - 2:30 pm