Impacts of Media Coverage

When you work with your media relations and communications teams to generate media coverage, you are helping drive potential change in the world. Here are just a few examples of the positive impacts – large and small – driven by media coverage of UBC stories. If you know of other stories, please contact media.relations@ubc.ca

2022 | 2021 | 2020

2022

Scholarships for Black Canadian students

The Beyond Tomorrow Scholars Program is a first-of-its-kind initiative in Canada.

Stories about the new UBC scholarship program for Black Canadian students prompted numerous emails from potential applicants to the program.

Student reporting the war in Ukraine

A faculty member read our profile of a student reporter covering the war in Ukraine and was encouraged to help the student find housing for her return to UBC in the fall.

Wildfire management

A Q&A with three wildfire experts led to the researchers engaging with BC Wildfire Service to implement the calls to action and to invitations to guide ongoing wildfire management and recovery.

Donating your body to science

Media coverage of the shortage of cadaver donations to a Medicine program prompted offers from potential donors.

2021

Advancing diabetes research

Sentinel device in the Kieffer Lab

Sentinel device in the Kieffer Lab.

News media coverage of a stem cell-based treatment for Type 1 diabetes inspired a community member to make a gift to advance future diabetes research.

Planning for laneway homes

News stories about a UBC study on how laneway homes can decrease neighbouring property values prompted the City of Mississauga to request the full paper to use in their planning work.

Local-scale climate action

11 individuals and organizations expressed interest in applying or expanding the Cool ‘Hood Champs program in Toronto, Halifax, Winnipeg and Victoria.

Psychological first aid

Communications support for Prof. Lesley Lutes’s COVID-19 psychological first aid service and related  programs recruited over 250 registered psychologists to provide free emergency psychological services.

COVID-19 ventilator

A donor came forward offering two CPAP machines to further students’ work on a low-cost ventilator—a story that was covered by multiple media outlets.

2020

Art kits for men in prison

Art initiative aims to promote the mental health of men in prison.

Several individuals reached out for more information about an art initiative to promote the mental health of men in prison in order to implement similar projects in their communities.

Biodegradable face masks

Potential industry partners and medical professionals in Canada and other countries reached out to express interest in a biodegradable medical mask made from pulp and fibre.

History of Mulan

A Q&A about a Mulan translation project brought several thousand views and many new subscribers to the researcher’s YouTube channel. The New York Times also linked to his translation of the film.