Educational Studies Blog
Curated by EDST Students
Welcome to the UBC Educational Studies Blog!
Curated and led by EDST graduate students, this blog is a space for our whole community—students, faculty, staff, and alumni—to share ideas, research, and creative work. It supports graduate students in building their skills and competencies as early career researchers and education professionals, while fostering dialogue and connection across the department.
From personal narratives and poetry to multimedia projects and public-facing scholarship, the blog highlights diverse voices and perspectives that spark conversation and inspire learning.
Supporting Early Career Researchers, Faculty & Education Professionals
The EDST Blog is proudly funded by the UBC Department of Educational Studies (EDST) as part of its commitment to supporting early career researchers and education professionals. The Blog Editor role was created to provide graduate students with opportunities for mentorship, skill development, and leadership in research communication and writing.
While the blog’s editorial team is composed of graduate students who guide its content and direction, contributions are welcomed from all members of the EDST community. Our aim is to amplify student voices while also engaging faculty, staff, and alumni in meaningful dialogue that strengthens our shared commitments to education, within the university and beyond.
Latest Posts
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Dissertation Writing Workshops with Dr. Autumn Knowlton: 10-Part Special Blog Series
This 10-part blog series shares key insights from two dissertation writing workshops led by EDST alum Dr. Autumn Knowlton, offering practical guidance on how to plan, write, and complete your dissertation with clarity and confidence.
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Dissertation Training Series, Post 4 – Conversations, Not Catalogues: Writing a Literature Review with Purpose
A strong literature review is a conversation between scholars, not a list of sources—and it should support your research question at every turn.
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Dissertation Training Series, Post 3 – Hold the Target, Not the Dart: Crafting and Evolving Your Research Questions
Your research question is the anchor of your dissertation, and evolving it thoughtfully is part of becoming a scholar, not a sign of failure.
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Dissertation Training Series, Post 2 – From Jumble Sale to Funnel: Planning Your Dissertation for Clarity and Flow
Good dissertations are organized, not just written, and using structure, funnel logic, and APA7/Chicago can help you guide your reader through your ideas.
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Dissertation Training Series, Post 1 – Not a Book, Not a Mystery: What Your Dissertation Really Is
A dissertation is not a book or a mystery—it’s a structured academic response to a research question, written for a specific audience with clarity and purpose.
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EDST Mindfulness with Mahfida- June 2025: DIY Bookmark-Making Workshop
This June, the Mindfulness with Mahfida series continued with a creative and calming DIY Bookmark-Making Workshop in EDST.
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Winner of the 2025 EDST Research Day Blog Publication Award: Mahfida Tahniat (Two-Time Winner!)
Mahfida Tahniat wins the 2025 EDST Research Day Blog Publication Award for the second year in a row with a powerful reflection on graffiti as public pedagogy during the 2024 Bangladesh uprising.
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EDST Mindfulness with Mahfida- May, 2025: Guided Meditation & Community Connection
________________________ On May 14, EDST students gathered for a peaceful pause in the midst of a busy term during our monthly Mindfulness with Mahfida event—this time featuring a guided meditation session. Held in the cozy space of PCN 2012, the event created a calm, welcoming environment for participants to breathe deeply, reset their minds, and…
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EDST Mindfulness with Mahfida- April, 2025: Cherry Blossom Walking Tour at Nitobe
___________________ In April, the EDST community stepped away from desks and screens and into the tranquil beauty of nature for our monthly Mindfulness with Mahfida session—this time, a Cherry Blossom Walking Tour at the Nitobe Memorial Garden. Basked in sunlight and surrounded by vibrant spring blooms EDST students, shared smiles, quiet reflection, and moments of…
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Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Rob VanWynsberghe Recognized for Exemplary Supervision and Mentorship
GAA Recognition and Appreciation Award for Exemplary Service to Students presented to Dr. Rob VanWynsberghe
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Student Spotlight: Yotam Ronen Honoured for Building Academic Community
Yotam Ronen recognized with the Inaugural GAA EDST Recognition and Appreciation Award for Exemplary Service to the Student Community
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Staff Spotlight: Honouring Himadri Udahage Dona for Exemplary Service
Himadri Udahage Dona was awarded the Graduate Academic Assistant GAA Recognition and Appreciation Award for Exemplary Service to Students 2025.
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EDST Research Day: Keynote Reflections from Dr. Taylor Webb on “Education in the Algorithmic Condition”
In a compelling keynote, Dr. Taylor Webb invited EDST to reconsider the deep entanglements between education and algorithmic systems, urging us to confront the colonial and political histories that shape today’s AI-driven futures.
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Research That Matters: Reflections from EDST Research Day 2025
EDST Research Day 2025 brought together students, faculty, and staff for a powerful day of inquiry, reflection, and celebration—opened by Dr. Deirdre Kelley’s compelling call to center research in the pursuit of justice and educational transformation.
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EDST Well-Being Series: Mindfulness with Mahfida – March, 2025: Flower Bouquet Making Workshop
The March Mindfulness event was a sold-out success, bringing together students, faculty, and staff for a therapeutic and joyful flower bouquet-making workshop that left everyone smiling and stress-free!”
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Amplify Your Research: Join the EDST Research Day Podcast & Blog Award!
Are you presenting at EDST Research Day 2025? Want to share your work beyond the event, sharpen your research communication skills, and get the chance to win a $50 UBC Bookstore gift card? We’ve got the perfect opportunity for you! Introducing the EDST Research Day Podcast & Blog Publication Award This year, we’re taking research…
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EDST Well-Being Series: Mindfulness with Mahfida – February, 2025: Bracelet Making Workshop
EDST’s Bracelet Making Workshop brought students together for an afternoon of creativity, connection, and mindfulness as part of the Mindfulness with Mahfida series.
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EDST Research Day 2025: Education and the Machine
Join us for EDST Research Day 2025 on April 4, as we explore Education and the Machine. This year’s theme invites students and faculty to critically examine how rapid technological changes—from AI to online learning—are reshaping education. With diverse presentation formats and opportunities for collaboration, this annual event offers a dynamic platform for showcasing innovative…
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Need Ideas? Here Are Possible Topics for EDST Research Day 2025
Considering a proposal for EDST Research Day 2025? This year’s theme, Education and the Machine, invites you to explore how technology is reshaping education—check out our topic list for inspiration, from AI in teaching to social justice and creative research!
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From Idea to Submission: How to Prepare for EDST Research Day 2025
Got an idea, but not sure how to turn it into a submission for Research Day? Don’t worry—you probably already have the foundation! Think about the comprehensive exam papers you’ve been working on, or even assignments from your courses. These can be excellent starting points for a presentation. Sometimes, a simple question or reflection can…