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The Faculty of Education at UBC is advancing educational research and understanding in ways that celebrate diversity, equity, and innovation, and welcomes international collaboration in an increasingly borderless world.

UBC’s Faculty of Education, one of the world’s leading education faculties, has served the local, national, and international education community through leadership in research, teaching, service and advocacy for more than 60 years. As the largest Faculty of Education in British Columbia, it plays a critical and influential role in the advancement of education in the province, shaping and participating in education’s possibilities and potential as a social good. 

Today, the Faculty of Education creates conditions for transformative teaching, innovative learning, and leading-edge research guided by the highest standards of scholarship and the principles of collaboration, social justice, inclusion and equity. Offering undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as professional development opportunities, the Faculty of Education enrolls thousands of students each year on two campuses and ranks 10th in the world, according to QS World University Rankings (2021).

UBC’s Faculty of Education prepares more than 45% of the elementary and the majority of secondary educators in British Columbia, and a significant proportion of British Columbia’s school counsellors, administrators, special education professionals, and school psychologists. With more than 57,000 alum located in 100 countries, the UBC Faculty of Education truly is a global entity. 

The Faculty of Education is home to four departments (Curriculum and Pedagogy, Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education, Educational Studies, and Language and Literacy Education) and two schools (the School of Kinesiology and the Okanagan School of Education).

Mission
To advance education's role in the well-being of people and communities.
 

Research Centres

Research Facilities

We provide outstanding research facilities for faculty and graduate students that promote leading-edge research. Our Education Library is a specialized resource with access to all of UBC’s research and special collections, including the X̱wi7x̱wa Library with materials produced by Indigenous organizations, tribal councils, schools, researchers and publishers.

The Faculty’s Education Research and Learning Commons at Ponderosa Commons features technology-enhanced teaching and learning spaces and also informal learning spaces. A number of faculty manage their own research labs, situated throughout campus. 

Many of our PhD students have been selected as UBC Public Scholars and have received other honours.

Research Highlights

https://ivet.educ.ubc.ca/Notable strengths are in literacy education and multilingualism; struggling and marginalized youth; Indigenous education, decolonization, and research; transformational program and curriculum design and inclusive pedagogies for schools, community organizations and higher education; sexual orientation and gender-identity inclusive education; social-emotional learning and well-being; autism; exercise physiology, socio-cultural aspects of health; neuromechanical studies; and multidisciplinary research in diversity, health, early childhood education, and digital media. The School of Kinesiology ranks 1st in Canada and 4th in the world by QS World University Rankings (2021).

UBC’s Faculty of Education is the national leader in the number of education graduate student fellowships received from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). Additionally, the Faculty of Education is home to six Canada Research Chairs, one CIHR chair and nine donor-funded research chairs and professorships. 

Schools / Departments

School

Department

Graduate Degree Programs

Research Supervisors in Faculty

or browse the list of faculty members in various academic units. You may click each unit to view faculty members appointed in that unit. View the full faculty member directory for more search and filter options.
Name Academic Unit(s) Research Interests
Hubley, Anita Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, and Special Education Psychological and health measurement; test development and validation; adult neuropsychological, personality, and mental health topics and assessment; research with general community and vulnerable populations (e.g. elderly, homeless, drug addicted)
Hurd, Laura School of Kinesiology Sociological methodology and research methods; Sociology and social studies of health, health systems and health care; Aging; Gender; health; ageism or age-based discrimination; sociology of aging; sociology of health; embodiment or embodied experience; body image; chronic conditions or chronic illness; disability; Assistive technology; qualitative methods; media representation; LGBTQ+ aging; intersectionality; information and communication technology
Inglis, J Timothy School of Kinesiology Exercise science, neurophysiology, biomechanics, stance and balance control, human microneurography, physical therapy and rehabilitation, vestibular system
James, Susan Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, and Special Education Cultural Psychology & Psychotherapy, Immigrant Mental Health & Culture Specific Syndromes, Philosophical Psychology, Spirituality & Psychotherapy
Jenson, Jennifer Department of Language & Literacy Education Other languages and literature; Digital Cultures and Education; Digital Games; Game-based Learning; Gender; Online Learning; technology; Technology Implementation and integration
Kassan, Anusha Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, and Special Education Social sciences; Child and youth mental health; Social justice; Multiculturalism and diversity; Feminist-multicultural pedagogy; immigration; Cultural and social justice responsiveness; Anti-oppressive therapy
Katz, Jennifer Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, and Special Education Inclusive Education; The Three-Block Model of UDL; Universal design for learning (UDL)
Keenan, Harper Department of Curriculum & Pedagogy Curriculum, pedagogy and didactics; Gender, sexuality and education; Inter-disciplinary, trans-disciplinary learning and education; Colonialism; early childhood and elementary education; Educational Context; Gender; race; sexuality; teacher education; childhood; Transgender Studies; LGBT Studies; queer studies
Kelly, Deirdre Department of Educational Studies Children and youth, Gender studies, Media and democracy, Social justice, Sociology of Education
Kendrick, Maureen Department of Language & Literacy Education literacy, digital literacy, Children and youth, ESL, international perspectives
Khan, Samia Department of Curriculum & Pedagogy science education, teaching and learning, cognition, digital technology, learning space design, case study, higher education, Educational Technologies, Science Education, Teacher Education
Kim, Hyosub School of Kinesiology Sensorimotor control; Motor systems; Sensorimotor neuroscience; Sensory processes, perception and performance; Motor learning; motor control; Computational modeling; Bayesian Methods
Kindler, Anna Department of Curriculum & Pedagogy art education; artistic and aesthetic development; teacher education
Knight, Vicki Floyd Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, and Special Education Applied Behaviour Analysis; Autism Spectrum Disorders; Developmental Disabilities; Single-Case Research; Academic Interventions; Instructional Strategies
Koehle, Michael School of Kinesiology, Department of Family Practice Systems physiology; Other clinical medicine; Musculoskeletal biology and physiology; Exercise Physiology; air pollution; Sport and Exercise Medicine; Environmental Physiology; Altitude
Kovach, Margaret Department of Educational Studies
Kroc, Edward Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, and Special Education Statistical theory and modeling; Mathematical modelling and simulation; Ecological applications, n.e.c.; Psychological methodology design and analysis, and psychometrics; measurement; Measurement error; Statistics; urban ecology; Seabirds; Gulls; Quantitative ecology
Kubota, Ryuko Department of Language & Literacy Education Specialized studies in education; critical applied linguistics; culture and language; Language Rights and Policies; language education; language ideologies; multicultural education; race and language teaching
Kumpulainen, Kristiina Department of Language & Literacy Education Languages and literature; Social sciences; Critical literacies/pedagogies; Digital Literacies; Arts-based research; Multiliteracy and multimodality; Place-based literacies; Storytelling/narrative inquiry; Imagination
Kunnas, Marika French language and literacy curriculum, pedagogy and didactics (except sign language); Bilingual/Multilingual education; Critical intercultural studies; Critical literacies/pedagogies; Decolonizing pedagogies and knowledges; Drama/Theater education; French language education; Race and antiracism; identity; language ideologies
Lam, Tania School of Kinesiology Sensorimotor physiology; Kinesiology; Physical therapy; Neurological disorders (except neuromuscular diseases)
Leddy, Shannon Department of Curriculum & Pedagogy Visual arts and media arts; Art education; Indigenous Education; Indigenous ways of knowing; curriculum; Pedagogy; art as public pedagogy; bio-cultural diversity and sustainability education
Li, Guofang Department of Language & Literacy Education longitudinal studies of immigrant children
Liao, Xiangyi Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, and Special Education latent variable modeling; item response theory (IRT) models; multilevel modeling and causal machine learning
Lo, Owen Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology, and Special Education Gifted Education, High Ability, Metacognition and Self-Regulated Learning, Multiculturalism, Problem Solving, Qualitative Research, Research Methodologies, Sociocultural Approaches to Learning and Teaching

Pages

Graduate Student Stories

Jonathan Easey

Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies (PhD)

Harnessing community and adult learning to increase PrEP access and prevent HIV in Vancouver

Daniel Gallardo

Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies (PhD)

Dragging education to imagine otherwise: cultivating decolonial learning environments for Indigenous queer futures.

Orkhon Gantogtokh

Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies (PhD)

Envisioning doctoral education in Mongolia

Harris Wong

Doctor of Philosophy in School and Applied Child Psychology (PhD)

An arts-based engagement ethnography of Chinese Canadians’ experiences of critical consciousness development

Belinda Chi

Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD)

Co-creating employment pathways with and for individuals with disabilities in rural communities

Brook Hadwen

Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology (PhD)

Cognitive and physiological processes driving affective responses to a single bout of exercise among adults with adverse childhood experiences

Xuyan Tang

Doctor of Philosophy in Measurement, Evaluation and Research Methodology (PhD)

How scoring methods impact validity of psychological measures?

Monir Shahzeidi

Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology (PhD)

Racialized women refugees’ experiences and perception of access to leisure in rural areas
All Student Stories

Alumni on Success

Jordan Guenette

Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology (PhD) [2010]

Job Title
Associate Professor (Department of Physical Therapy) and Associate Director (Centre for Heart Lung Innovation)

Employer
University of British Columbia

Sam Bradd

Master of Education in Educational Studies (MEd)

Job Title
Graphic Facilitator

Employer
Self employed

Catherine Sabiston

Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology (PhD) [2006]

Job Title
Associate Professor

Employer
University of Toronto

Lauryn Oates

Doctor of Philosophy in Language and Literacy Education (PhD) [2012]

Job Title
Consultant - Education

Employer
Self-employed

Glen Foster

Job Title
Associate Professor

Employer
University of British Columbia

Juliana Negreiros

Job Title
Registered Psychologist & Post-Doctoral Fellow

Employer
UBC Psychiatry
All Alumni Stories

Recent Publications

This is an incomplete sample of recent publications in chronological order by UBC faculty members with a primary appointment in the Faculty of Education.

 

Sex differences in exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia and pulmonary edema following high-intensity exercise in highly trained endurance athletes
Publication: Physiological Reports
UBC Author(s): Michael Koehle (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 13
Publication Date: January 2025

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Optimizing the integration of family physicians into cancer survivorship care in the BC Interior: a mixed methods study of physicians’ opinions and experiences
Publication: Journal of Cancer Survivorship
UBC Author(s): Erica Bennett (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 19322259
Publication Date: 2025

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Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Perinatal Mood, Anxiety, and Related Disorders: Guide de pratique 2024 du Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments pour le traitement des...
Publication: Canadian Journal of Psychiatry
UBC Author(s): Lianne Tomfohr-Madsen (Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 07067437
Publication Date: 2025

View Publication
Understanding Braille and Braille Readers to Facilitate Inclusion and Foster a Sense of Belonging
Publication: Teaching Exceptional Children
UBC Author(s): Kim Zebehazy (Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 00400599
Publication Date: 2025

View Publication
Teaching and AI in the postdigital age: Learning from teachers’ perspectives
Publication: Teaching and Teacher Education
UBC Author(s): Jillianne Code (Curriculum & Pedagogy / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 0742051X
Volume: 153
Publication Date: January 2025

View Publication
Factors Predicting Sustained Implementation of Tier 2 and Tier 3 Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
Publication: Exceptional Children
UBC Author(s): Sterett Mercer (Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 00144029
Volume: 91
Page Range: 211-228
Publication Date: January 2025

View Publication
Estimating whole-body centre of mass sway during quiet standing with inertial measurement units
Publication: PLoS ONE
UBC Author(s): Jean-Sebastien Blouin (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 20
Publication Date: January 2025

View Publication
Effects of older adults’ social identification on psychological flourishing and exercise program adherence
Publication: Psychology and Health
UBC Author(s): Eli Puterman (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education), Mark Beauchamp (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 08870446
Volume: 40
Page Range: 272-284
Publication Date: 2025

View Publication
Digital Supports for Immigrant Professionals’ Settlement and Information Needs: Developing a Wiki-Style Tool with Intersectional, Targeted Content
Publication: Journal of International Migration and Integration
UBC Author(s): Anusha Kassan (Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 14883473
Publication Date: 2025

View Publication
Physical activity intensity and older adolescents’ stress: The ‘STress-Reactivity after Exercise in Senior Secondary EDucation’ (STRESSED) 3-arm randomised controlled trial
Publication: Psychology of Sport and Exercise
UBC Author(s): Eli Puterman (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education), Mark Beauchamp (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 14690292
Volume: 76
Publication Date: January 2025

View Publication
Limb-Target Control Increases With Effective Index of Difficulty
Publication: Journal of Motor Behavior
UBC Author(s): Romeo Chua (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 00222895
Publication Date: 2025

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Teacher education as a scene of (dis)repair: a critique of therapeutic practices
Publication: Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education
UBC Author(s): Anne Phelan (Curriculum & Pedagogy / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 1359866X
Publication Date: 2025

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Group-mediated exercise for chronic conditions: An urgent need for implementation and scale-up
Publication: British Journal of Sports Medicine
UBC Author(s): Mark Beauchamp (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 03063674
Publication Date: 2025

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What is an athlete's psychological well-being? Constructing concepts with Olympic and Paralympic athletes
Publication: Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health
UBC Author(s): Andrea Bundon (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education), Guy Faulkner (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 2159676X
Publication Date: 2025

View Publication
Effect of recreational sport and physical activity participation on well-being during early parenthood: a randomized controlled trial
Publication: Annals of Behavioral Medicine
UBC Author(s): Mark Beauchamp (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 08836612
Volume: 59
Publication Date: 1 January 2025

View Publication
MoodMover: Development and usability testing of an mHealth physical activity intervention for depression
Publication: Digital Health
UBC Author(s): Guy Faulkner (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
Volume: 11
Publication Date: January-December 2025

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A Relational Unfolding: Reflections on Fostering Conditions for Transdisciplinary Education
Publication: World Futures
UBC Author(s): Derek Gladwin (Language & Literacy Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 02604027
Publication Date: 2025

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Chronic psychological stress and cardiovascular disease risk: When to use single biomarkers versus allostatic load
Publication: Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases
UBC Author(s): Eli Puterman (School of Kinesiology / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 00330620
Publication Date: 2025

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Youth from Refugee Backgrounds Positioning Their Identities Through Reaction Videos
Publication: Journal of Language, Identity and Education
UBC Author(s): Maureen Kendrick (Language & Literacy Education / Faculty of Education), Margaret Early (Language & Literacy Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 15348458
Volume: 24
Page Range: 163-178
Publication Date: 2025

View Publication
Needs-Based Mentoring in Schools: A Holistic Approach for Working with Youth at-Risk
Publication: Child and Youth Services
UBC Author(s): Allison Cloth (Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education / Faculty of Education), Joanna Cannon (Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education / Faculty of Education)
ISSN: 0145935X
Volume: 46
Page Range: 46-69
Publication Date: 2025

View Publication

Pages

Recent Thesis Submissions

Doctoral Citations

A doctoral citation summarizes the nature of the independent research, provides a high-level overview of the study, states the significance of the work and says who will benefit from the findings in clear, non-specialized language, so that members of a lay audience will understand it.
Year Citation Program
2024 Dr. McCabe's research explored ableism in higher education, examining collective agreements and institutional policies governing academic responsibilities showing that ableism is strongly entrenched and condoned in university policies and governance. Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy (EdD)
2024 Dr. Ramachandran explored the history of body classification systems in health and sport-focused areas, through the example of the somatotype. She found that the somatotype was used to characterize race, class, athletic ability, and intelligence biologically, demonstrating how measurement methods are value laden and warrant critical exploration. Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology (PhD)
2024 Dr. Baker's work focuses on the impact that Indigenous Knowledge and Indigenous Ways of Knowing had on settler educators in the North Vancouver School District and found that educators have the responsibility to infuse Indigenous Knowledge and Indigenous Ways of Knowing into practice. All learners will benefit as Indigenous Education is for all. Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy (EdD)
2024 Through the methodology of a/r/tography - art, research, teaching - Dr. Filippelli presents a writing practice for aesthetic encounters with visual art that interweaves poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction with research on art, literacy, aesthetic, and museum education scholarship. It, thus, contributes to all these fields of education. Doctor of Philosophy in Language and Literacy Education (PhD)
2024 Dr. Santos investigated how teachers resist the deprofessionalization of teaching caused by neoliberal educational reforms. Dr. Santos' research shows how teachers reclaim their pedagogical authority using different tactics of resistance and how narratives can serve as political resources for teachers under situations of oppression. Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD)
2024 Dr. Bridger interviewed Hard of Hearing (HoH) students transitioning to their neighbourhood high school. She created a theory of the transition that highlights parallels with typically hearing peers, but also amplifies barriers faced by HoH students. The theory informs HoH teens and teachers of HoH students' struggles and ways to support them. Doctor of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology (PhD)
2024 Dr. Kawamura examined the intergenerational transmission and cultural memory practices in museums. She showed the particular importance of the relational elements of museum work, and how shared memory and the representations of group identity in museums both influence and are influenced by those that work in these institutions. Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies (PhD)
2024 Dr. Baugh studied the barriers and facilitators of coping among women veteran survivors of military sexual trauma. Illustrated in the women veterans' narratives is the importance of safety and support to move beyond survival strategies and towards meaningful facilitators of coping, and the crucial need for systemic reformation in military culture. Doctor of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology (PhD)
2024 Dr. Miller studied the role of collaborative, inquiry-oriented teacher professional development related to social and emotional learning (SEL). Results showed the potential for collaborative professional development to support educators as they explore, develop, and apply practices that promote SEL beyond the typical conventions of SEL programs. Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development, Learning, and Culture (PhD)
2024 Dr. Ji's research proposed a flexible and practical methodology to improve the validation practice for complex assessments. He demonstrated how validation can be undertaken as an exercise of identifying and explaining the desired and undesired effects. Doctor of Philosophy in Measurement, Evaluation and Research Methodology (PhD)

Pages

 

2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject – Faculty of Education

March 12, 2025 The UBC Faculty of Education is ranked 2nd in Canada and 11th in North America according to the 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) University Rankings has released its 21st annual edition, featuring over 1,500 institutions across 105 locations...

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2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject – School of Kinesiology

March 12, 2025 The UBC School of Kinesiology, together with the UBC Okanagan School of Health and Exercise Sciences, are ranked 2nd in North America and 5th globally for sports-related subjects according to the 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) University...

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Dr. Sharon Stein Receives 2024 UBC Killam Faculty Research Fellowship

March 18, 2025 Dr. Sharon Stein has been selected as a 2024 Killam Faculty Research Fellow Dr. Sharon Stein has received a 2024 UBC Killam Faculty Research Fellowship, which recognizes outstanding research and scholarly achievements across diverse disciplines. This prestigious award, which is...

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Community Update | March 2025

March 2025 | published once each term Message from Dean Hare Dear community members, As spring approaches, it is a meaningful time to reflect on our shared progress and welcome the new opportunities this season of renewal brings. The strength of our Faculty lies in the connections we build, the...

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Call for Nominations: 2024–25 Dean’s Awards for Staff Excellence

About The Dean’s Awards for Staff Excellence were created in 2001 as an annual celebration of the Faculty’s appreciation for the valuable contributions of our staff. These awards are bestowed in recognition of excellence in personal and professional achievements and contributions to the vision,...

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Dr. Guofang Li Named a Fellow by the 2025 American Educational Research Association

March 6, 2025 Dr. Guofang Li has been selected as a 2025 American Educational Research Association Fellow Dr. Guofang Li, Professor and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Transnational/Global Perspectives of Language and Literacy Education of Children and Youth, has been selected as a 2025 American...

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