The IRES Seminar Series showcases the research of our graduate students, faculty and guests. We also host monthly professional development seminars. Our seminars are open to everyone.
Date/Time: Seminars run every Thursday during the Winter Session (September to April) from 12:30pm to 1:20pm.
Location: Seminars will be in-person only. Please check each seminar post for the location.
IMPORTANT NOTE: NO FOOD AND NO DRINKS ALLOWED IN OUR SEMINARS.
Select seminar videos are available for viewing on our YouTube channel.
January 15, 2026: IRES Student Seminar with Neha Sharma-Mascarenhas and Jessica Mukiri (First seminar in Term 2)
Join us for the first seminar of term two, given by our IRES PhD students! Topics: Electronics at the End-of-Life: Repair Ecosystems, Consumer Decisions, and Policy Barriers and Consumption of Alt-Proteins to Mitigate Food Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Canada Read More
January 22, 2026: IRES Professional Development Seminar with Rebecca Dirnfeld
This session offers a practical overview of interviewing tips and techniques, emphasizing how strategic career planning during graduate school can set the foundation for interview success. Read More
January 29, 2026: IRES Faculty Seminar with Dr. Aisling Rayne
This talk explores the multiple meanings and effects of new nonhuman neighbours, and how to support more inclusive and transparent environmental decision-making Read More
February 5, 2026: IRES Faculty Seminar with Dr. Karthik Akkiraju
By integrating perspectives from positive psychology and public policy, this talk explores an approach to reimagine how societies can secure a high quality of life for everyone, beyond the limits of efficiency or consumption-driven paradigms. Read More
February 12, 2026: IRES Student Seminar with Chloë Chang and Aloy Kouzak Campos da Paz
Join us for our upcoming seminar, given by two IRES grad students! Topics: Can profit maps trigger win-win management solutions for the environment and farmers? and Socio-Economic Wellbeing in B.C.'s Energy Transition Read More
February 19, 2026: No Seminar This Week
February 26, 2026: IRES Faculty Seminar with Dr. Sally Pusede
March 5, 2026: IRES Professional Development Seminar with Helen Brown
The session will adapt to the questions and interests of the group but might include an intro to services and resources available at UBC Library and tips for managing the research process. Read More
March 12, 2026: IRES Faculty Seminar with Dr. Emily Yeh
Join Dr. Emily Yeh for her seminar on the political economy of geothermal development in Indonesia Read More
March 19, 2026: IRES Faculty Seminar with Dr. David McMillon
This talk will discuss a framework for systemic discrimination that has applications ranging from reparations and the racial wealth gap, health disparities, and environmental racism. Read More
March 26, 2026: IRES Faculty Seminar with Dr. Andrew Jorgenson
How does militarization drive climate change? Our next seminar explores how military power fuels global carbon emissions—from national growth patterns to U.S. defense spending and outsourced pollution. Read More
April 2, 2026: IRES Professional Development Seminar with Rich Francis
This session offers a broad overview of the history and implementation of the US federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund, that governs the cleanup of historical hazardous material waste sites. Read More
April 9, 2026: IRES Faculty Seminar with Dr. Kaitlyn Gaynor
This talk explores how human disturbance shapes risks and resources for wild animals, and how responses of animals can have implications for ecological dynamics and human societies. This can help inform more effective biodiversity conservation and human-wildlife coexistence on an increasingly crowded planet. Read More
April 16, 2026: IRES Student Symposium with Samantha Blackwell, Anaïs Pronovost-Morgan, Renata Rovelo and Valerie Zimmermann (Last seminar in Term 2)
Join us for our student symposium, given by four IRES grad students! Talk titles: 1. “Birding is like a gateway drug”: The role of bird observation in urban human-nature relationships 2. Exploring Non-Indigenous City Employees' Emotions and Responsibilities in the Implementation of Vancouver's UNDRIP Strategy 3. Listening to the River: Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Relationships with Water 4. Assessing the Impacts of Organic Farming Practices on Farm Economics and Climate Resilience in British Columbia Read More