EVENTS CALENDAR
This is where you can find the latest GSA happenings. We try our best to keep this page updated, but make sure to check out our Instagram at @UBCGSA to keep up with the latest news and upcoming events.
We want your feedback on our events! As part of our effort to enhance the GSA's social sustainability initiatives, we are introducing a new event feedback form designed to improve member engagement, satisfaction, and foster a stronger sense of community. If there’s anything you’d like to share, let us know here!
GeoTalk #2
Join us every month for casual chats with Geography profs and special guests! Hear about their latest research, personal stories, and all the cool stuff that doesn’t make it into lectures.
It’s a great way to connect, get inspired, and see a different side of your instructors. Don’t miss out!
In this talk, we will be hosting Geography Professor Elvin Wyly.
Holiday Study Social
Study session but make it festive!
Join us in GEOG 229 for hot chocolate, candy, and good company at our Holiday Study Social!
Hope to see you there for some cozy end-of-term energy!
Map Your Future: Alumni & Networking Night
Join us for an evening designed to connect geography students with industry professionals and alumni. The event will feature a facilitated panel with alumni, followed by a networking session with representatives from various organizations and businesses.
Dress business casual.
Location: CIRS – BC Hydro Theater & Atrium
Price: Free for GSA members
$5 for non-members
Intro to Networking Workshop
The Introduction to Networking workshop offers a hands-on approach to navigating a common yet rarely explained aspect of career development: networking. No matter your discipline, networking is a fundamental skill to have when navigating the job market of today, happening in both informal and formal settings. The workshop aims to give students the confidence to navigate various scenarios, from coffee chats to career fairs, and to improve their connection skills. By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to generate conversation starters, explore strategies for effective verbal communication, link their conversations to their future careers or network, understand and integrate common formalities post-networking, and more.
Facilitated by Robyn Stalkie, Arts Career Strategist.
Light refreshments provided!
Location: GEOG 229
This event is free for everyone!
Guest Talk
Join us for a guest talk to learn about an UBC alum’s career journey, lessons learned, and advice for post-grad life. Corbin Manson is currently a Biologist at Keystone Environmental, an environmental consultancy. Prior to this, Corbin’s work for the Invasive Species Council of BC and EXP expanded his experience in ecological restoration projects, fieldwork, and environmental monitoring. Corbin graduated UBC with a BSc. Natural Resources Conservation, and has since worked extensively in environmental monitoring and regulatory compliance.
Light refreshments provided!
Location: GEOG 229
This event is free for everyone!
Resume Workshop
Perfect your resume! Take part in a workshop hosted by UBC’s Career Centre. Learn how to best present relevant experiences from your degree to land your first job.
Light refreshments provided!
Location: GEOG 215D
This event is free for everyone!
Career Weeks
Join us at our third annual GSA Career Weeks from November 24th-28th!
We’re here to help you unlock the doors to your future. This week it’s all about:
Exploring diverse career paths for geography students and beyond
Developing essential professional skills
Building connections to power your career journey
Come polish your resumes, learn the how-to’s of networking, and meet industry professionals at this GSA Flagship event!
Grad School Info Night
If you’re interested sustainability and curious about graduate school come and join our Grad School Info Night!
Hear from current UBC grad students studying and researching topics related to sustainability who are happy to share their insights and answer any questions you might have.
Pumpkin Carving
It’s that time of year again! Join the GSA’s annual pumpkin carving night for some spooky festivities. There will be pumpkin carving, music, socializing and overall spooky vibes in the GEOG building!
Want to take home pumpkin seeds or guts? Bring your own container!
Free for members, $5 for non-members.
Majors and Minors - Night 2
Are you thinking about studying Geography?
If you are looking to declare a major or minor, or you simply want to learn more about the programs offered by UBC’s Geography Department, come to our second Majors & Minors Evening! These are annual informational sessions hosted by the Geography Students' Association. You will also learn about the resources that the Department has to offer over the course of your undergraduate degree.
In this session, we're going to learn about:
- GIS (Minor) - presented by Tianjia Liu
- BSc in Geographical Sciences - presented by Tianjia Liu
- BSc in Atmospheric Sciences - presented by Tianjia Liu
- Certificate in Climate Studies and Action - presented by Rafi Arefin
These programs are available as both majors and minors, so people from any faculty are welcome to attend this event.
PS: This event will have free pizza!
Majors and Minors - Night 1
Thinking about studying Geography?
Our annual Majors and Minors Evenings are back! These are informational sessions about the various majors and minors offered by the Department of Geography.
If you’re looking to declare a major or minor—or simply want to learn more about these programs—come out to one or both of our Majors and Minors Evenings! You’ll also learn about the resources that the Department has to offer to support you throughout your undergraduate degree.
The first night will feature three programs:
- Human Geography (Major, Minor, & Honours) - presented by Elvin Wyly
- Urban Studies (Major & Minor) - presented by Andi Binet
- Environment and Sustainability (Major & Minor) - presented by Loch Brown
Annual General Meeting
Attend our annual general meeting to learn more about how the GSA operates and what we do behind-the-scenes. We’ll be going over club updates and progress, debriefing on recent GSA events, and collecting feedback for improvement. Your input is important to us!
At Term 1’s AGM, we’ll also be voting in a new VP Finance and making changes to some of our bylaws. We hope that you will be there to let us know your thoughts!
Join us in the Michael Kingsmill Forum on the 4th floor of the Nest at 5:30pm.
GeoTalk #1
GeoTalks are informal monthly events where students can get to know faculty members in the Department of Geography.
This month’s talk will be held with Professor Loch Brown!
Beach Kickoff
Join us on the beach to get to know fellow Geography students for a relaxed evening playing games, enjoying the sunset and general good vibes! Bring games, snacks, drinks and meet us at the bottom of the stairs at 6:30pm.
Scavenger Hunt
Geography Building - Room 229 (and beyond)
Gather your friends and join this Friday for a hunt around campus and strategize with your team to complete challenges for points — teams will be finalized day-of, so come with a friend or meet a new one. Most points at the end of the night wins, then join us at The Gallery afterwards to celebrate!
Tea Creek Film Screening and Q&A
Norm Theatre
Tea Creek tells the story of Jacob Beaton and his family as they work to restore Indigenous food systems through land-based education and farming in so-called Northern BC. Their journey sheds light on both the harms of colonial food policies and the healing power of reconnecting to the land.
Following the screening, Jacob will join us for a live Q&A to share more about Tea Creek’s work—including their ongoing Longhouse fundraiser and the broader movement for Indigenous food sovereignty. RSVP here!
Financial Literacy Workshop
Geography Building - Room 229
Join us for a workshop about building savings and wealth with Tinthi Tembo! Gain some useful advice and have the chance to pick her brain at the end! Whether you’re an expert or a beginner, come join us :)
GeoGala 2025
Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre
It's GeoGala!! GeoGala is our annual end-of-year semi-formal joined by faculty/staff, graduate students, and undergraduates. This is a celebratory night of delicious buffet-style dining, photo booth fun, & most importantly, good company.
You can now secure your tickets here!
Koerner's Pub Music Bingo
Join us for a fun night of music bingo at Koerner’s Pub at 7pm. Feel free to meet outside the Geography Building at 6:45pm and we’ll leave from there!
Movie Night
Geography Building Room 100
If you missed our first movie night, no worries, as we're bringing it back with WALL-E (and free popcorn)! The movie will start at 7:30pm, but meet at the GeoGarden to be let in starting at 7pm.
Bake Sale
Geography Building Lounge
Our term 2 bake sale was postponed due to weather conditions, so here’s the updated event. Swing by for affordable and delicious baked goods (while supporting the GSA)!
TownHall Climate Futures Conference
UBC Arts Student Centre (second floor)
We are hosting our TownHall 2025 Climate Futures Conference this Saturday February 8th at 11:00am to 3:00pm. We have teamed up with the Simon Fraser University Geography Student Union (SFU GSU). There will be interactive workshops, activities and networking opportunities. This is a great way to meet like minded individuals from UBC and SFU. The event is open to everyone, so bring your friends! Lastly, you have a chance to win one of three, 20% off GeoGala tickets!
Bake Sale
Postponed due to weather!
In case you missed our bake sale last term, we’re bringing it back! Expect a variety of delicious (and affordable) baked goods and other treats. We hope to host it in front of the Nest, but more details to come.
Movie Night
Join us for a cozy social movie night in the Geography building, so grab your friends and settle in for an evening of great vibes and fun connections! We’ll be serving free popcorn (while it lasts), just bring a container. More details will be posted on our Instagram.
Free Professional Headshots for Members
Geography Building
All time slots are now full.
If you want to enhance your LinkedIn or other professional profiles, get your professional headshot taken. Select your time slot here! Free for members, $10 for non-members (please be prepared to e-transfer on arrival or bring cash).
Guest Talk with Curt Garrigan (Chief, Sustainable Urban Development - United Nations ESCAP)
Virtual (Teams Webinar)
Mr. Garrigan contributes to ESCAP’s efforts to promote sustainable urban solutions in cities throughout the region. He spent seven years with UN Environment in Paris as Coordinator of the Sustainable Buildings & Climate Initiative & as Cities & Buildings Programme Manager. Prior to joining the UN system, Mr. Garrigan served more than 22 years in operational & management roles for the City of Nashville, Tennessee, including Deputy Mayor, Parks Director, & Infrastructure & Planning Coordinator for the city’s post-Flood Recovery Team.
Hear about his career journey and how he has contributed to sustainable urban development worldwide.
Resume Workshop & Drop-in Clinic
Geography Building - Room 229
Enhance your resume with the help of experts from the UBC Career Centre and experienced Geography graduates. The first session will cover tailored resume advice, followed by a drop-in clinic joined by senior co-op students and UBC Geography graduates who will review your resume and offer personalized feedback and tips for success.
RSVP for the workshop here. No registration is required for the drop-in session.
Attendance to the drop-in session is optional.
UBC Geography Alumni Panel
CIRS BC Hydro Theatre
Meet government affairs professional Daniel Lai (E&S), sustainability specialist Holly Denson-Camp (Human Geography), and urban planner Kevin Shackles (Human Geography), as they share their career journeys and how they turned their Geography degrees into real-world impact.
Dress code: Business casual
RSVP here!
Public Speaking Workshop
Geography Building - Room 229
Join Yashwant Katireddy, an award-winning public speaking & debate coach, for an interactive session aimed at building confidence and improving communication skills in a variety of academic and professional settings. Perfect for beginners, the session will feature fun and engaging activities that will boost your public speaking skills and help you communicate effectively in any setting.
RSVP here!