The newly opened Institute for European Studies in the Faculty of Graduate
Studies aims to be a nerve centre for the study of Europe at UBC.
“The institute must reflect and take advantage of its distinct geographical
position as a transitional space — both physically and culturally — between
Europe and Asia,” says acting director Sima Godfrey.
Next month, the institute will host its first international conference on
technology in the workplace as well as help to bring the European Union Film
Festival to Vancouver for the first time.
The conference, Transition to the Knowledge Society: Policies and Strategies
for Individual Participation and Learning takes place Nov. 4 – 6 at the Westin
Bayshore Hotel.
It will address the impact of information and communications technology
on the nature of work. Canadian and European academics, politicians and policy
makers are expected to attend.
The film festival takes place Nov. 18- Dec. 5 at the Royal Bank Cinema in
the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts and at Pacific Cinematheque downtown.
The festival will feature 10 recent subtitled films that have not yet been
distributed in North America.
Many of the 30 interdisciplinary units in the Faculty of Graduate Studies
are directly involved in research on Europe or comparative European and Canadian
issues.
Godfrey says European concerns are also key components in all humanities and
social sciences faculties including Law, Commerce and Business Administration
and Education.
In its first year the institute plans to host a number of research seminars
on questions that speak to the shared concerns and experiences of Canadians
and Europeans.
Comparative federalism and the impact of globalization on national cultures
and identities are among the possible themes.
One of the institute’s longer-term projects is the creation of a master’s
program in European Studies. Students will spend at least one term at one of
UBC’s European partner universities.
For more information about the Institute of European Studies and its events
check the Web site at www.ies.ubc.ca
