UBC Congress of the Humanities

Congress 2019 brought academics from the social sciences and humanities together in Vancouver at the beautiful University of British Columbia Campus. With 70 associations attending, the conference was a dynamic week of conversation, learning, networking, professional development, and fun.

Circles of Conversation

What happened/What we did

The design of the identity and hundreds of pieces of collateral reflected the dynamic energy of the Congress’ work. With the theme “Circles of Conversation,” Congress 2019 opened up space for dialogue, debate, and dissent. It showcased creative critical engagements — in literature, visual arts, theatre, and music — with topics as diverse as sustainability, accessibility, global mobility, health, culture, and, of course, education.

The “Circles of Conversation,” Congress 2019 emphasized the deep, two-way relationships between the university and the communities it serves: local, provincial, national, and global. Particular attention was focused on productive scholarly relations with Indigenous communities. The UBC Point Grey Campus sits on unceded xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) territory and houses the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre.

Congress 2019 fostered and encouraged circles of conversation among scholars, educators, students, political leaders, and activists so that people could speak with one another, listen, and learn together.

Local, national, global

“I am delighted that UBC will host Congress 2019, and bring together groups across a broad spectrum of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences to meet, connect, and share world-changing ideas. And what better location than the stunning Vancouver campus — surrounded by forest and ocean — and home to some outstanding facilities.”
— Professor Laura Moss, Academic Convenor

“UBC is a diverse and multicultural university. Our research helps to foster intercultural understanding, strengthen social justice and nurture cultural creativity. And our commitment to research that explores cultural, community, and gender differences spans our campuses, faculties, centres, and institutes.”
— Andrew Szeri

Outcome

10,600 attendees from 73 scholarly associations 6,000+ papers presented.	1,650 attendees at 5 Big Thinking lectures.
72 exhibitors in Expo and 11 book launches.	664 attendees in 22 Career Corner workshops.
101 local hires and 500+ volunteers.	1,674 room requests and 1,180 AV requests.
1,004 community passes issued to local attendees 805 media stories about Congress research.

10,600

attendees from 73 scholarly associations 6,000+ papers presented.

1,650

attendees at 5 Big Thinking lectures.

72

exhibitors in Expo and 11 book launches.

664

attendees in 22 Career Corner workshops.

101

local hires and 500+ volunteers.

1,674

room requests and 1,180 AV requests.

1,004

community passes issued to local attendees 805 media stories about Congress research.