On August 21, join Derek Thompson (Director of Indigenous Engagement, UBC Faculty of Medicine) and Oliver Mann (Senior Communications Strategist, UBC Office of Community Engagement) for a presentation to Research Impact Canada (RIC). RIC is a pan-Canadian network based at York University that connects knowledge mobilizers from more than 20 universities across the country.
Derek and Oliver’s 25-minute presentation will open the RIC August meeting, followed by a second presentation on Community Compensation and Recognition in Community-Based Research, which you are also welcome to attend.
Presentation Info
Storytelling is powerful—but in research involving Indigenous and other historically, persistently, and systemically marginalized communities, it carries profound ethical responsibilities. At a recent panel at the 2025 UBC Partnering in Research Conference, our guest speakers, Derek Thompson and Oliver Mann, explored how institutions can move beyond transactional storytelling to foster meaningful relationships with Indigenous and community partners. What are the risks and responsibilities when sharing stories from communities with histories of trauma and misrepresentation? How can storytelling support truth and reconciliation efforts and address intergenerational impacts? This conversation was recorded and is available now as a podcast.
In this presentation for Research Impact Canada, Derek and Oliver will continue the conversation, focusing on the institutional challenges that hinder reciprocal, respectful, and restorative storytelling about Indigenous engagement.
- Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
- Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (PDT)
- Location: Zoom
- Cost: Free
The Zoom link will be included in your email confirmation upon registration.
Speakers
Derek K Thompson – Čaabať Bookwilla | Suhiltun is from the diitiidʔaaʔtx̣ – Ditidaht First Nation, one of fourteen Nuuchahnulth communities along the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Derek is the Director, Indigenous Engagement for the UBC Faculty of Medicine, and he brings over 30 years of experience working with First Nations organizations and communities across the province and country to achieve wellness through health and related services.
His mission is to foster trust and mutual respect amongst students, staff and faculty in an effort to create an understanding of the commitments made by the Faculty of Medicine to strengthen the relationship with Indigenous peoples and communities.
Oliver Mann leads communications for UBC’s Office of Community Engagement, enhancing its profile and increasing awareness, participation, and diversity across programs. He also produces stories that showcase the impact of reciprocal community-university engagement.
With over a decade of communications experience at UBC, Oliver recently completed an MA in Professional Communications at Royal Roads University. His thesis explores how Canadian universities communicate about Indigenous engagement, advocating for Indigenous-led storytelling and decolonizing communication practices. It also provides actionable recommendations for university communicators.
As a settler of Costa Rican, West African, Spanish, Scottish, and English heritage, Oliver is committed to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in his work, ensuring that all voices are valued.