Distinguished Speaker Seminar Nov 29, 2024: Hon. Kirsty Duncan

Norman Epstein Memorial Lecture

Seminar Title: Impossible is a Dare: From Advocacy to Impact

Date and Time: Nov 29, 2024 at 1:00pm

Location: CHBE 102

Refreshments will be served at 12:50pm

Registration is necessary, RSVP for the Event by Nov. 27: https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1zFroqgjt2sCixw

Please arrive early to Check-in. Seats will be held for registrants until 12:50.

Synopsis

Dr. Duncan will challenge students to dream their greatest dream, to be the leaders they can be, to make positive change and real impact in their lives, their communities – and in the world. Taking us through her own courageous journey and her fight for justice, inclusion and equity on many fronts, she dismisses ‘can’t’ and ‘impossible’ from her vocabulary and invites us all to make a choice: the choice to deliver solutions that will make our world a better place for all.

Biography

The Hon. Kirsty Duncan is the Member of Parliament for Etobicoke North. She was the Chair of the inaugural House of Commons Standing Committee on Science and Research, the Deputy House Leader for the Government of Canada in the 43rd Parliament and served as Canada’s Minister of Science, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, and Minister of Sport in the 42nd Parliament.

As Minister of Science, Dr. Duncan delivered the largest investment in research in Canadian history. She put in place measures to ensure government scientists could speak freely and that scientific evidence is considered in decision-making. Throughout her tenure, she prioritized equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Prior to entering politics, Dr. Duncan was Associate Professor of Health Studies, University of Toronto at Scarborough Campus; Research Director, AIC Institute for Corporate Citizenship, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto; and Associate Professor of Geography and Earth Sciences, University of Windsor.

As a scientist, Dr. Duncan is best known for leading an expedition to the Arctic, to discover the cause of the 1918 Great Influenza pandemic. Her book, Hunting the 1918 Flu: One Scientist’s Search for a Killer Virus, was short-listed for a Canadian Science Writers’ Award. She has also served as a Lead Author for North America on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Dr. Duncan has received numerous awards and honours, including an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Edinburgh and has given a TED Talk on freedom in science. She is a champion of abuse-free sport and remains a steadfast and lifelong advocate of the rights of athletes and children.

Code of Conduct

The Chemical and Biological Engineering department at UBC is committed to ensuring a welcoming and safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and guests as outlined in the UBC Statement on Respectful Environment for Students, Faculty, and Staff.

All guests will be treated in a professional and courteous manner. We expect everyone attending CHBE seminars to treat each other in a professional and courteous manner by adhering to the following Code of Conduct at all our events.

  • treat others with respect, dignity, and concern for their well-being
  • comply with staff’s reasonable instruction and rules so that staff may perform their duties to the best of their ability
  • refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech
  • refrain from displaying violent behaviour
  • The list above is not exhaustive and individuals should be aware that their conduct may still be considered prohibited even if it does not specifically appear in the outlined list.

As the Statement in the UBC Statement on Respectful Environment for Students, Faculty, and Staff affirms, “The best possible environment for working, learning and living is one in which respect, civility, diversity, opportunity and inclusion are valued.” We are committed to upholding these values to ensure a positive experience for all.