Benoit-Antoine Bacon

In Berlin for the annual Falling Walls Science Summit convened by the @Falling_Walls Foundation. It was my honour to be a participant in the plenary table on “Rewiring Innovation: Next Generation Research Organizations”, which was supported by @maxplanckpress and convened by its President Patrick Kramer (@mpgpresident). With Fellow panelists @PhBaptiste, France’s Minister of Higher Education, Research and Space, @alinabassi1 from @EarlybirdVC, Hermann Hauser from University of Cambridge and Michiel Scheffer from @EUeic, we discussed the best paths forward as the role of fundamental research and the very notion of scientific excellence is being reshaped by deep tech, AI and new innovation dynamics. At @UBC, we are investing in the responsible use of AI for research, teaching and learning, and our international partnerships, enhanced by Canada’s participation in Horizon Europe, illustrate what sustained and strategic collaboration can achieve. By strengthening these types of partnerships and working with government and industry to build an ecosystem in which fundamental research and innovation can support one another, we can accelerate discoveries and tackle challenges that no single institution or country can address alone.

I’m pleased to be joining Team Canada, led by Parliamentary Secretary @kbardeesy, in Berlin for the 2026 Falling Walls Science Summit, where Canada is this year’s Partner Country. The Summit brings together leaders in research, innovation, government and industry from around the world to exchange ideas, showcase scientific breakthroughs and build international partnerships. At @UBC, we recognize that addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges requires collaboration that extends beyond institutions and borders. This is an important opportunity to showcase the strength of Canadian research, deepen our relationships with international partners and explore new opportunities to advance discoveries that benefit society. @Falling_Walls @U15ca @univcan

In Montreal today, it was my honour to offer the opening keynote at the 2026 Faculty Bargaining Services (FBS/SANCP) annual conference. This was the abstract of the talk: Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon began is leadership career in 2007 as a Chief Negotiator for the Faculty Union at Bishop’s University. Almost 20 years and about 80 signed collective agreements later, he is now President and Vice-Chancellor of @UBC. This professional path parallels a more personal journey of healing from the mental health and substance use issues stemming from growing up in a dysfunctional, unsafe home. This keynote will attempt to weave together lessons learned on both journeys, emphasizing the importance of freeing ourselves from fear, reactivity, shame, guilt and anger, and embracing presence, trust, compassion and love. Great to see so many dedicated professionals dedicated to faculty and labor relations, especially former colleagues Claire Grogan, Kerry Hull, Faye Diamantoudi, Theodore Stathopoulos, Daniel J. McKeown, Michael Kennedy and current UBC colleagues Gage Averill, Janice Stewart, Adam C. and Mike Vizsolyi Many thanks to Tracey Jandrisits, FBS and the Canadian Association of University Business Officers (CAUBO) for the invitation and to everyone for coming and for caring about mental health!

The true measure of a great university is the positive impact its people have on the world. It was an immense honour to celebrate this year’s @alumniubc Achievement Award recipients, whose leadership, innovation, service, and philanthropy are creating positive change and building UBC pride in communities across British Columbia and around the world. Congratulations to all of this year's amazing honourees: Hamid Eshghi, Praveen K. Varshney, FCPA, FCA, Dr. Carol Liao, Dr. Gina Ogilvie, Dr. Deborah Money, James Seabrook, Morrell Andrews and Dr. Ross Beaty! These awards reflect the enduring partnership between @UBC and alumni UBC in celebrating extraordinary alumni and strengthening our global community. My thanks to Mauro Manzi, Chair of the alumni UBC Board of Directors, and Warren Beach FCPA, FCA, ICD.d, Chair of the Achievement Awards Selection Committee, for their leadership and dedication to this important work. My sincere thanks as well to our long-time presenting sponsor Boyden, for their enduring support of the Achievement Awards.

It was an honour to join Prime Minister @MarkJCarney and Madame @dianacarneyfox in welcoming António Costa, President of the @EUCouncil, and Ursula @vonderleyen, President of the @EU_Commission, during the Canada-EU Summit in Montreal. @UBC is a proud partner of universities, research organizations, governments and communities across Europe. These collaborations advance discovery, strengthen innovation ecosystems, create opportunities for students and contribute to solutions with global impact.  As Canada and the EU deepen their relationship, universities are positioned to translate ambition into action, connecting researchers, students, innovators and institutions to advance discovery, strengthen economic resilience and address shared challenges. @melaniejoly @MSidhuLiberal @EvanLSolomon @juliedabrusin @McGillPresident @rhondamcewen @ubcokanagan @U15ca @univcan @CBIE_BCEI

Last stop in Ottawa, a visit to the beautiful Embassy of the Czech Republic for a conversation with His Excellency Martin Tlapa and his colleagues Tomas Hlavan and Ales Opatrny. @UBC has several partnerships with Czech institutions including @CharlesUniPRG, @MasarykUni, Prague University of Economics and Business and University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice. We discussed how we could build on these existing relationships to enhance transnational education, student and faculty mobility, as well as research and innovation. We look forward to hosting you at UBC. Dekujeme mockrat a opatrujte se! @ubcokanagan @CBIE_BCEI

Back in Ottawa, and pleased to connect with elected representatives and senior public servants on how we can collaborate to build and enhance Canada’s sovereign capacity, including in priority areas such as life sciences, quantum and AI, critical minerals and many others. And, of course, we took the opportunity to discuss the SkyTrain extension to UBC and the project’s incredible potential to serve the whole Metro Vancouver region, improving mobility across the transportation network and unlocking new housing and economic growth. Special thanks to Honourable @LenaMetlegeDiab; Parliamentary Secretaries @kbardeesy and @Taleeb; MPs @TeamJeneroux and @braedencaley; and public servants at @PrivyCouncilCA and @CitImmCanada, as well as Meti Basiri from @ApplyBoard, Gabriel Miller, Julia Scott and @univcan for the productive conversations. I look forward to our continued work together! P.S. - Yes the Peace Tower and Center Block heritage restoration is ongoing!

Congratulations to UBC researchers Dr. Feng Jiang and Dr. Corinna Schindler on being awarded prestigious Arthur B. McDonald Fellowships from the @NSERC_CRSNG! The McDonald Fellowship recognizes exceptional early-career researchers and supports them in enhancing their research capacity and becoming leaders in their respective fields. This recognition is a testament to the remarkable research talent at @UBC and the important contributions our researchers are making to advancing knowledge and creating a positive impact on society. Congratulations to both on this well-deserved achievement! @UBCForestry @ubcscience

On behalf of @UBC, sincere congratulations to @LDoerkson and the @Conservative_BC on a decisive election victory. Congratulations as well to all candidates elected across the province, and gratitude to everyone who put their name forward for public office and contributed to our democratic process.  UBC is proud of its role as a public research university, and we look forward to continuing to work with the @BCGovNews to advance the education and training, research and innovation that will help shape a prosperous future for our province.