University of Victoria - Faculty of Social Sciences

Kelsea, a Political Science and Pacific and Asian studies major, went on a year-long exchange to Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan.

“Exchange felt like a million tiny side quests. Everyday was a new adventure, whether it was something as small as trying a new onigiri flavor, or even taking a trip to a new part of the country. Not every part of exchange was aesthetic—I had challenges with language barriers and homesickness—but each of those challenges made the experience even more rewarding. How boring would it be to go to a completely new place and come out the same?”

To see more exchange stories, check out our StoryMaps here: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/80b6207a026b41868cbef54f033e67a3

To submit your own exchange story, click here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=d9NhnJSYfEKxOx1qUWYrTnzXuRcXpNJLtrbLyybuzlxURE83Q0hZNVZMR01ZRE5IVEJZM0g5V1Y5TCQlQCN0PWcu 📝

“Honestly, just do it. Apply, even if the university you get isn’t the one you originally wanted, sometimes the place you end up needing is different from the place you thought you needed. Face those fears and go anyway. The nerves, the unknown, the homesickness that might creep in, none of it outweighs what you gain from fully embracing an experience like this.”

From long days at the beach, surfing every afternoon, and making connections for life, check out Amanda’s exchange experience in Australia! 🇦🇺
 

Rwanda’s Smart Classroom program shows that technology can make a real difference in how students learn science subjects. The program helps girls improve their scores in physics, biology, and geography, narrowing the gender gap. But it takes time—positive effects only appear after about 11 months and keep growing. Schools with more computers per student see better results, pointing to the need for enough devices to support learning. Interestingly, math and chemistry scores didn’t change much, showing that tech’s impact varies by subject. This study offers valuable insights for schools and policymakers aiming to boost STEM education and digital skills.

Waste pickers in Brazil recover nearly a third of recyclable materials, playing a crucial role in reducing landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions. Yet their work often goes unnoticed and undervalued. Enter UNICATA, a university created alongside waste pickers that combines education with empowerment. Here, waste pickers reclaim their dignity, gain a voice in public policy, and connect their daily work to healing the planet. This approach not only challenges social stigma but also promotes environmental justice and sustainable futures through collective learning and care. It’s a powerful example of how marginalized communities can lead the way in addressing the ecological crisis.

Organizing Climate Futures is Possible! August 13!!!

Indigenous Climate Action, Research for the Frontlines, and UVic’s Transformative Climate Action program are teaming up to host an inspiring online webinar series titled Organizing Climate Futures.

📅 August 13, 2026
🕐 12 PM-1:30 PM PT / 1 PM-2:30 PM MT / 2 PM-3:30 PM CT / 3 PM-4:30 PM ET / 4 PM-5:30 PM AT / 4:30 PM-6 PM NT
🔗 Online (Zoom Webinar) https://ow.ly/HETW50ZtAJw

In Santiago de Cuba, streets lined with colorful 'for sale' signs tell a story of a community in crisis. Over one million Cubans have left the island since the pandemic, many forced to sell their homes amid economic hardship and a collapsing tourism sector. These signs don’t just mark property for sale—they reveal a deep sense of betrayal in the promise of home and hope once central to the Cuban Revolution. This photo-essay sheds light on how migration reshapes not only neighborhoods but the very sense of belonging for those left behind.

South Asian immigrant women have been a backbone of British Columbia’s farms for decades, yet new research reveals how they continue to face unsafe working conditions, wage theft, and systemic barriers like language and transportation challenges. Despite these risks, these women show remarkable resilience through community support and collective action. Their stories highlight a critical gap between their essential role in our food system and the protections they receive—a gap that affects not only their wellbeing but the security of the food we all rely on.

Surveillance technologies like fingerprinting, passes, and censuses weren’t just tools of governance in colonial times—they were instruments of racial control and exclusion. This research shows how such practices shaped social categories and justified imperial domination across continents. Even today, many postcolonial states continue to use surveillance systems rooted in these histories, raising important questions about privacy and justice in our digital age.

What does “ecological novelty” mean for our planet? 🌎

As temperatures continue to rise around the globe, scientists are increasingly witnessing “ecological novelty,” or conditions driven by climate change that have no historical precedent.

In a recent study published in Nature Climate Change, lead author and PhD student Claire Wright and co-author Dr. Eric Higgs reviewed more than 200 examples from around the world showing how ecological novelty is causing widespread disruptions for plants, animals and ecosystems.

💬 “Ecosystems will continue to change for decades and even centuries,” says Wright. “Long-term monitoring and ongoing research are essential to understanding how species and ecosystems will respond to these new conditions.”

In the Pacific Northwest, salmon aren’t just fish—they carry deep cultural and spiritual significance for Indigenous Peoples. Yet, much conservation focuses on protecting the genetic 'purity' of wild salmon, while Indigenous communities approach salmon conservation differently, emphasizing relationships, ecosystem health, and mutual accountability. Shifting the conversation to include Indigenous frameworks and decision-making could improve salmon conservation and honor Indigenous sovereignty.