Race, Ethnicity & Migration

Scholars in this area study how racial, ethnic, and national identities are salient and stratifying forces in people’s lives and across societies. Processes of immigration, migration, and colonialism shape racial and ethnic diversity, inequality, and settlement in Canada and other nations. Studies by UBC faculty focus on experiences of migration, settlement, dispossession, and discrimination as well as the ways difference and hierarchy are politically constructed and historically produced. Studies focus on histories of colonial dispossession, the experiences of undocumented and stateless peoples, the lived experiences of racialized refugees settling in Canada, and attitudes toward immigration and political trust among different racial and ethnic groups.

MA students Caitlin Chong, Matja-Leena Corbett, and Kailey Peckford awarded SSHRC funding

UBC Sociology congratulates MA students Caitlin Chong, Matja-Leena Corbett, and Kailey Peckford who received SSHRC funding for their research projects.

UBC Sociology wishes Professor Neil Guppy a very happy retirement

Neil chose to celebrate his retirement with a gift of $50,000 to create a new scholarship focused on undergraduate students: the Guppy Undergraduate Excellence in Sociology Fund.

Prof. Huyser named Chair-Elect of American Sociological Association Indigenous Peoples and Native Nations Section

Congratulations to Prof. Kimberly Huyser for her appointment as Chair-Elect of the ASA’s Indigeneous Poeples and Native Nations Section.

Dr. Oral Robinson awarded Killam Teaching Prize

Congratulations to Dr. Oral Robinson for being awarded Killam teaching award for the 2021/2022 academic session in recognition of excellence in teaching!

Prof. Amanda Cheong’s parents attend her presentation on statelessness 10 years after her completion of her undergrad thesis on her own family’s experience with the phenomenon

Prof. Amanda Cheong’s honors undergraduate thesis explored her own family’s experience with statelessness. 10 years after her graduation her parents attended her presentation for UBC’s Centre for Migration Studies on her current book project “Omitted Lives: Citizenship and the Politics of the Civil Registration Gap”, which delves into the phenomenon.

Prof. Huyser quoted in Victoria News article on role of social factors in making Indigenous communities more vulnerable to Covid-19

“Disease exposure and illness don’t happen in a vacuum, they happen within a social context”: Prof Huyser is quoted in a discussion on the role of social factors such as poor access to health care and lack of clean drinking water in making Indigenous populations more vulnerable to Covid-19.

Prof. Amanda Cheong to deliver “What’s ‘Vital’ About the Registration of Vital Events?” as part of UBC Centre for Migration Studies Speaker Series

Prof Cheong’s talk will be discussing the registration of vital events as crucial to human rights, focusing on the experiences of undocumented and stateless families struggling to gain official recognition in Malaysia.

Prof. Huyser speaks to UBC News on social factors impacting Indigenous health during Covid-19 pandemic

Prof. Huyser discussed the social context affecting Indigenous health, how Indigenous communities have responded to these challenges, and what the keys to improve health outcomes within these communities are.

Makena Zimmerman explores the history of anti-Black colourism and its perpetuation through identity formation on social media

Fourth-year Honours student Makena Zimmerman is conducting research into the dangers that colourism on social media imposes on identity formation.

PhD Candidate Kelsea Perry wins Killam Graduate Teaching Assistant Award

Congratulations to PhD Candidate Kelsea Perry who has been awarded a UBC Killam Graduate Teaching Assistant Award. The Department of Sociology would like to also thank Kelsea for her outstanding teaching, research, and service to the community.