How can Canada shape a shifting global order?
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s speech at the World Economic Forum was a clear-eyed assessment of a world in flux. As traditional alliances evolve and international conflicts multiply, how is Canada responding—and what more should be done to strengthen the country’s resilience? Hear from UBC experts as they delve into what Canada’s role as a middle power will mean for democracy, economics, migration, global partnerships, and the country’s future. Consider what’s at stake for Canada—and how the nation can bolster its position within increasingly complex global realities.
Speakers
Dr. Irene Bloemraad (she/her) — President’s Excellence Chair in Global Migration, Professor, Departments of Political Science and Sociology, and Co-Director, Centre of Migration Studies, UBC Faculty of Arts
Dr. Maxwell A. Cameron, BA’84 (he/him) — Professor, Department of Political Science & School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, UBC, and President, Latin American Studies Association (LASA)
Dr. Swapnika Rachapalli — Assistant Professor of Economics, UBC Sauder School of Business
Thursday, April 16, 2026
12:00pm–1:15pm PT
Online
Open to everyone. Register to attend live—all registrants will receive a link to the recording after the event.
REGISTER NOWQuestions? Please contact alumni.events@ubc.ca.
Speaker Biographies
Dr. Irene Bloemraad
Dr. Irene Bloemraad joined UBC in 2024 as President’s Excellence Chair in Global Migration, co-director of the Centre for Migration Studies, and Professor in the departments of Political Science and Sociology. She studies the political and civic incorporation of immigrants into Western democracies and examines how migration affects politics and national identity in the countries that receive them. Her research has been published in journals spanning sociology, political science, history, and ethnic/migration studies, and she has authored or co-edited five books. She regularly shares her work with policymakers, immigration stakeholders, and the general public, and has received several teaching and mentorship awards. She attended McGill University (BA, MA) and Harvard University (PhD).
Dr. Maxwell A. Cameron
Dr. Maxwell A. Cameron is jointly appointed in Political Science and the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs (SPPGA) at UBC. A specialist in Latin American comparative politics, constitutionalism, democracy, and political ethics, he is the author or editor of 12 books and more than 60 scholarly articles and chapters. He has led the Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions, co-founded the Institute for Future Legislators, and served as Acting Director of SPPGA. Elected President of the Latin American Studies Association for 2025–2026, he is also a frequent media commentator and advisor to policymakers on electoral reform, citizen engagement, and democracy in Latin America.
Dr. Swapnika Rachapalli
Dr. Swapnika Rachapalli is an Assistant Professor of Economics at the UBC Sauder School of Business. She was previously a postdoctoral fellow in Princeton University’s International Economics Section. Her research examines why some countries remain poor and how productivity in these economies can be improved. One area of her work explores how international trade helps technology spread from advanced to lagging economies, fostering growth. Another area focuses on measuring and understanding resource misallocation across firms and sectors—a key impediment to economic efficiency in many emerging economies. She holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Toronto, where she specialized in international trade, economic growth, and development.
THIS PROGRAM IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE PRESENTING PARTNERS OF FORWARD: THE CAMPAIGN FOR UBC
WITH ONGOING SUPPORT FROM THE ALUMNI UBC PILLAR PARTNERS
