UBC Connects at Robson Square has successfully completed its two-year pilot program. The enthusiastic participation and overwhelming response to UBC Connects have been nothing short of phenomenal, truly embodying the spirit of community engagement and collaboration. This initiative has played a pivotal role in making knowledge more accessible and in connecting the UBC community with the wider public through a series of engaging events at our downtown site.
As of February 2024, we are pausing the acceptance of new applications, as we evaluate the program’s future in alignment with the university’s budget planning. We look forward to sharing updates and future directions once the university’s budgetary considerations are finalized.
Pilot Highlights
During this transition period, let’s take a moment to celebrate the vibrant events and activities that have enlivened UBC Robson Square over the past two years:
- Events hosted: 40
- Community Partner Organizations Engaged: 56
- UBC Departments Engaged: 49
- Total funding awarded: $168,000
- Number of Attendees: More than 10,000
We Want to Hear from You!
Your feedback is invaluable to us. As we look forward to the future of UBC Connects at Robson Square, 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.
Explore past events, photos, and stories about UBC Connects at Robson Square
- Past Events
- Connects in the News
- Photo Gallery
- Program Objectives
- Events at a Glance
- Program Applications
Past Events
- Imagining Multisensory Art: Learning from Objects; Literacy and Inclusion
January 27 | Join the Vancouver Art Gallery for a discussion on how collaboration between educational and artistic institutions can enhance accessibility. - Stories of Change: Documentary Screening + Atlas
January 26 | The “Stories of Change” project team is excited to invite you to an exclusive screening of their climate resilience documentary. Discover the stories of resilient communities in Bangladesh who are confronting the impacts of climate change. - Wellbeing Festival: Celebrating Local Mind-Body Health
January 20 | Join Maternal and Infant Health Canada for an event focused on BIWOC (Black, Indigenous, Women of Colour) themes. The event will feature meditation, reflection, and creative activities. - Let’s Talk About Your Data: A Discussion of Public Health Data
November 29 | Curious how your data is contributing to advancements in health care? Learn from health experts, data specialists, and patient voices about the benefits of sharing public health data and the innovative tech safeguarding it. - Postcards: Trans Narratives on Stage
November 12 | Join us for a unique event that intertwines art and research to amplify trans voices. Hear from talented trans and queer artists and be part of championing trans joy, community, and liberation. - The Age of Disruption in Public Policy: DRIPA and Social Media
October 27, 2023 | United Way BC Public Policy Institute (PPI) proudly presents a full-day event that brings together PPI alumni, non-profit leaders, and political science students. Explore the latest trends and strategies in public policy, with a special focus on the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) and the influential role of social media. - The Floating Man: Canadian Film Premiere
October 22, 2023 | Join us for the Canadian premiere of The Floating Man by Michael V. Smith, an intimate memoir that unpacks Smith’s journey as a radical drag performer and genderqueer. - Besa: The Promise – Albania’s Untold Story of Sanctuary for Jewish Refugees in WWII
October 10, 2023 | Learn about and commemorate the Muslim Albanians who hosted and protected Jewish people during World War II. - Folil Trafün (Joining Roots) Festival – Main Showcase
September 28, 2023 | Learn about themes surrounding Indigenous and Afro-desscent identities, migration, and the relationship between industry and Indigenous communities at Robson Square. The showcase features Indigenous and Afro-diaspora films, followed by discussions and a community dinner.
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
Program Objectives
1. Supporting faculty and community partners in public engagement
Providing innovative, reciprocal programming to the UBC community and general public
2. Alignment with Presidential Priorities
Minimum of 50% of events addressing strategic priorities
3. 1-2 events per month
For a total of 25 events annually
Program Testimonial
“UBC Connects at Robson Square played a crucial role in bringing the Cinema Thinks The World series of film screenings 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
Events at a Glance
Types of Events
- Pop-up concert
- Workshop
- Film Screening
- Panel discussion
- Artist talk
- Exhibition
25 events hosted total
The program’s soft launch included 10 events, while an additional 15 events have been organized by funding recipients, meeting our current goal of 1-2 events monthly..
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 reported acquiring new knowledge, gaining fresh insights, or obtaining a novel perspective on the issue following the event.
86%
indicated likelihood to seek out follow-up activities, such as joining an organization around an event topic or connecting with the speakers at an event.
92%
indicated likelihood to return to UBC Robson Square for future events.
Program Testimonials from funding recipients
“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
“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 Applications
Faculty Engagement and Community 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
Strategic Alignment with ’21-22 Presidential Priorities
95% of Connects events have been related to UBC’s Presidential Priority areas, exceeding our goals of having a minimum of 12 events addressing these topics
65%
Anti-racism and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
35%
Climate Change, Climate Justice, and Sustainability
15%
Indigenous Engagement and Reconciliation
Program Evolution
Connects at Robson Square has been responsive and adaptive to the feedback from applicants, funding recipients, and attendees throughout its pilot. An overview of some of the changes that have been made are below.
Before
- Application funding cycles mirrored UBC academic terms
- Fundings recipients received $5,000 for each event
- UBC faculty, staff and students required a community partner to apply
After
- Rolling applications to allow for responsive event planning
- Funding recipients receive $5,000 in addition to an additional up to $2,000 venue and A/V costs.
- Community partner requirement removed with new emphasis on engaging community in events
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
Have questions about the Connects at Robson Square program? Please connect with us at connects.robsonsquare@ubc.ca