At UBC Connects at Robson Square, we host free, accessible public programming to amplify UBC research and education and engage deeply with diverse communities across Metro Vancouver. In our vibrant and accessible space, we welcome faculty, students, staff, community partners, and the public to join us for thought-provoking, inspiring, and enjoyable public discourse and dialogue.
If you are you interested to attend future UBC Connects events, please sign up for the UBC Connects newsletter and check back here to learn more as new events are announced!
Are you interested to organize a UBC Connects at Robson Square event? Then we want to hear from you! Please follow the link below to tell us about the kind of event you want to plan and we will be in touch.
Have questions about UBC Connects at Robson Square?
Please reach us at connects.robsonsquare@ubc.ca
Program Testimonial
“UBC Connects at Robson Square played a crucial role in bringing the Cinema Thinks the World film screening [series] to life at UBC. Being located downtown, UBC Connects managed to bring a series of six films, as well as the scholarly discussions that surrounded them, to a wider Vancouver public.”
— Dr. William Brown, Assistant Professor, Department of Theatre and Film
Explore past events, photos, and stories about UBC Connects at Robson Square
- Past Events
- Connects in the News
- Photo Gallery
- Events at a Glance
- UBC Faculty and Community Partner Engagement
Events
- All the Lonely People: The Search for Belonging in an Uncertain World
June 4, 2025 | What does loneliness look like in our increasingly connected world and what can we do about it? Join an interdisciplinary panel of UBC researchers from health, economics, philosophy and creative writing to explore the roots and realities of social isolation and how this critical social challenge can be addressed collectively within the broader contexts of men’s and women’s health, relationships, climate preparedness and governance. - Reframing ADHD: Moving Beyond Stigma to Advocate for a More Inclusive Future
May 2, 2025 | Join us for a conversation with Dr. Amori Yen Mikami and the ADHD Advocacy Society of BC as we explore ADHD research, challenge stigma, and premiere a new video series promoting acceptance and inclusion. - Remembering Tadmor: Exploring the Use of Digital Conservation After Destruction
May 10, 2025 | Can we build a digital defense against the erasure of culture? Join UBC Connects at Robson Square and the Department of Anthropology for a fascinating conversation about how digital technologies, communities, and diplomacy can come together to preserve cultural memory. - Indigenous-Led Forest Stewardship and Climate Action in North America
April 28-29, 2025 | Join Indigenous leaders from Canada, Mexico, and the United States for an inspiring conversation on forest stewardship and climate action. - Exploring 21st Century Fertility Law: How modern Canadian families are navigating the complex legal challenges of fertility
March 10, 2025 | Join us for this accessible and informative conversation and Q&A about the complexities and challenges in family and fertility law in Canada. This important public conversation will shed light on gaps between Canadians’ lived experience of family life and legal realities, and explore intersections of law and social change. - Advancing Anti-Racism and Resilience through Mentorship and Leadership
February 15, 2025 | One-day symposium to bring together racialized leaders, community leaders, and allies from across multiple sectors and communities to engage in impactful conversations about equity, inclusion, and leadership. - UBC Asian Independent Cinema Showcase: Kissing the Ground You Walked On
February 6, 2025 | Join us for the opening of the Asian Independent Cinema Showcase with the Vancouver premiere of award-winning film, Kissing the Ground You Walked On. Explore themes of queer identity, diversity, and art and join a conversation with award-winning director, Hong Heng-fai, live from Macau. - CMS-Sector Research Collaborations Day 2024
November 13, 2024 | A one-day workshop that was dedicated to forging lasting partnerships and delving into (de)colonial perspectives on migration research and Indigenous data sovereignty through engaging interactive activity. CMS-Sector Research Collaborations Day is an annual event. - Voices for Health Equity
November 4, 2024 | Voices for Health Equity, hosted by UBC Health and the Public Scholars Initiative in partnership with UBC Connects at Robson Square, brought together over 100 researchers, students, health professionals, and community members at Robson Square for a free half-day discussion about equity across various health disciplines and spaces.
Connects in the News
- Folil Trafün: Connecting Afro-descendant, Indigenous and Latin American Communities in the Lower Mainland Through Film
- Lessons from a Partnership: How United Way BC, UBC’s School of Public Policy, and the Office of Community Engagement Collaborated on a Public Policy Event
- UBC Strategic Plan: UBC Connects at Robson Square
Photo Gallery
Events at a Glance
The 2-year pilot of UBC Connects at Robson Square was a great success. Let’s take a moment to celebrate the vibrant events and activities that enlivened UBC Robson Square as a space for public engagement.
- Events hosted: 40
- Community Partner Organizations Engaged: 56
- UBC Departments Engaged: 49
- Total funding awarded: $168,000
- Number of Attendees: More than 10,000
Types of Events
- Pop-up concert
- Workshop
- Film Screening
- Panel discussion
- Symposium
- Artist talk
- Exhibition
20-200 attendees
per event
From small pop-up concerts and workshops to larger events like exhibitions, panel discussions, and film screenings.
96%
of attendees left events with new knowledge, fresh insights, or novel perspective on an issue.
86%
of attendees said they would seek out follow-up activities, such as joining an organization or connecting with the speakers after an event.
92%
of attendees would return to UBC Robson Square for future events.
65%
of UBC Connects at Robson Square events focused Anti-racism and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
35%
of UBC Connects at Robson Square events focused Climate Change, Climate Justice, and Sustainability
15%
of UBC Connects at Robson Square events focused Indigenous Engagement and Reconciliation
UBC Faculty and Community Partner Engagement
To date, 60% of funding has been delivered to faculties, with the remaining 40% awarded to community partners. For every event, applicants receive assistance from a dedicated Public Engagement Specialist, who provides support in planning, program delivery, communications, and on-site coordination.
UBC departments and units:
- Faculty of Applied Science
- School of Nursing –Transformative Health and Justice Research Cluster (THJRC)
- Faculty of Education
- Research-based Theatre Lab
- SOGI UBC (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Inclusive Education)
- Faculty of Arts
- Centre for Asian Canadian Research and Engagement (ACRE)
- Department of Theatre & Film
- Hong Kong Studies Initiative
- School of Music
- Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies (UBCO)
- Faculty of Forestry
- Climate Hub
- Public Humanities Hub
Community partners:
- Pacific Institute for Mathematical Sciences (PIMS)
- Liu Institute Network for Africa
- CityHive
- Out in Schools
- Bike Kitchen
- hua foundation
- Pacific Canada Heritage Centre – Museum of Migration
- Shake Up the Establishment
- The Ismaili Centre, Vancouver
Program Testimonial
“We often hear that audience members from downtown feel UBC is too far out for them to travel to attend concerts. By demonstrating the quality and range of music making that takes place on campus, we begin to develop recognition for the work that we do and encourage new audiences to come out to campus to attend events. […] We feel that this is an impactful outreach that should be continued. Moreover, we have many ideas for future collaborations.”
— Dr. T. Patrick Carrabre, Director and Professor of Music, UBC School of Music
Program Testimonial
“UBC Connects provided the Transformative Health and Justice Research Cluster (THJRC) an opportunity to host a community event that brought together voices from intersecting departments, organizations and universities. THJRC values this opportunity, as many community organizations do not have the funding to put on these events, but would like the ability to reach a wider audience and connect more with the community of Vancouver and beyond.”
— Samantha Young, Project Coordinator of UBC’s Transformative Health and Justice Research Cluster (THJRC)
Program Testimonial
“There is a growing interest to bridge research and student learning with community connections in a reciprocal exchange.”
— Christine Lee, Associate Director of Arts Alumni Engagement
We Want to Hear from You!
Your feedback is invaluable to us. We invite you to share your experiences and thoughts about the program. Your input will help us continue to create meaningful and engaging programs that connect the UBC community with the broader public.