PWIAS Interim Director Search – Call for Nominations

The UBC-Vancouver Senate requested an external review of the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies in December 2018.  The external review was conducted and a report received on January 24, 2020.  The Interim Director and the Board of Trustees delivered a joint response to the Senate in November 2020.  The external review report is an important guiding document for aligning governance and for the structure and academic programming at the PWIAS going forward.  

Professor Kalina Christoff has decided not to extend her appointment as Interim Director of the Institute, a position she held for the last two years.  We would like to take this opportunity to thank Professor Christoff for her service throughout this appointment, which ends on May 31^st.  The University understands that appointing a new Interim Director is a priority as we work through a transition year to successfully respond to the external review and to chart a positive future for the PWIAS. 

President Ono has asked the Vice-President Research & Innovation to coordinate the search for a new Interim Director.  Effective today, we are pleased to invite nominations and self-nominations from within the PWIAS community. 

Nominations and self-nominations should be submitted to Megan Stewart (megan.stewart@ubc.ca) no later than Thursday, May 20^th at 4:00pm PST.  

• Self-nominations should include a cover letter and CV
• Nominations should include a single letter of support from one or more UBC colleagues, and the nominee’s CV.  Nominees should be aware and supportive of the nomination. 

The responsibilities of the Interim Director position can be found here.

We are pleased to announce that Professor Peter Dauvergne will chair a search committee, currently being assembled, that will select a new Interim Director.  Two members of the PWIAS Academic Advisory Board are invited to join the Committee.  The search committee is advisory to the President, who will appoint the Interim Director for a one-year term. The intention is for shortlisted candidates to be interviewed, and a new Interim Director appointed in as timely manner as possible.

Thank you all for your ongoing support, advice, and enthusiasm for the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies.  The University and the Board of Trustees are excited about the potential and impact that the PWIAS can have at and beyond UBC, and we look forward to working with you to realize that bright future.

This announcement is being shared on behalf of the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation.