Adam Frank is the Associate Dean, Policy at Graduate Studies. Adam is a Professor in the Department of English Language and Literatures and served as Director of that department's graduate program from 2019 to 2023. He is also affiliated with the Graduate Program in Science and Technology Studies where he served as Chair (and co-Chair) from 2014 to 2018.
Why did you want to become an associate dean at Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (G+PS)?
Alongside my research, I have always found graduate teaching and supervision to be the best part of the job of being a university professor. During my time at UBC this has led me down the path of service for graduate programs both within my home department and elsewhere. Working with the team at G+PS is a good way to broaden my understanding of graduate education and to get enough perspective to make a positive contribution for students, faculty, and staff.
What makes UBC an exciting place?
This is a large university with enormous resources. The depth and breadth of research here are really impressive, across so many departments, programs, and centres. Of course, many universities in North America and around the world are struggling in rough economic and political waters, but UBC seems to be staying afloat and on course (knock wood, fingers crossed!).
What do you want graduate students to know about G+PS?
Students should know that there are resources here to help navigate different aspects of student life at the university, to support their progress and offer help when they encounter problems. I want to learn more about what graduate students need and, when necessary, to finetune policy that supports graduate programs.
What do you want faculty members to know about G+PS?
Same as above. G+PS offers resources, not roadblocks, and I hope faculty members, especially graduate program officers and advisors, can identify resources that they find valuable for supporting teaching and supervision.
What will be your main area of focus in your new role?
I want to become more thoroughly acquainted with policies that structure the MA and PhD programs across the university. There is a lot of flexibility in the ways that individual units can meet university level requirements, and I am curious to collaborate with Associate Deans of the Faculties, as well graduate program advisors, to find out what overall improvements can be made to our policies and best practices so as to keep the university up-to-date.
What is one crucial next step in advancing graduate education at UBC?
We're in a time of major transition. Institutions need to listen very carefully to students and faculty when they describe what they need now in changing research environments, to think about best practices for meeting these needs, and to craft policies that enable these practices. We continue to need structures that support the academic mission of the university, that hold things together at the same time that they let individual researchers and units thrive.