New research from UBC Okanagan revealed that non-invasive techniques can return vital gut health data from the mucus in our fecal matter.

New research from UBC Okanagan could make monitoring gut health easier and less painful by tapping into a common—yet often overlooked—source of information: the mucus in our digestive system that eventually becomes part of fecal matter.

Correct, what’s in our poop.

Biology researcher Dr. Kirk Bergstrom and master’s student Noah Fancy found a non-invasive technique to study MUC2, a critical gut protein,  from what we leave behind in the bathroom.

“MUC2 is like the silent star in our guts. It’s constantly working to protect us, and its proper functioning is crucial for our overall health,” Dr. Bergstrom says. “It was originally thought that you could only access this important molecule from biopsies or tissue removed via surgery—highly invasive and painful procedures.

“However, our study shows mucus is actually a part of our stool, meaning we can get at it painlessly and at levels we could not before. Anytime we can do analysis non-invasively, it’s a win.”

Clues to health can be found in unexpected places, and Dr. Bergstrom’s team found a way to study important gut health markers from fecal-adherent mucus—a term that, in simpler words, refers to the mucus attached to our stool. This mucus, typically ignored and flushed away, contains a trove of information about gut health.

MUC2, a glycoprotein with many sugar chains attached, forms a protective barrier in our intestines in the form of mucus, safeguarding our gut from harmful microbes and toxins and playing a crucial role in digestive health.

Understanding MUC2 better could lead to significant advancements in managing and preventing gut-related diseases, impacting the day-to-day wellbeing of millions.

“We can use these new methods to visualize mucus-microbiota interactions and how they go wrong in various diseases, like inflammatory bowel diseases and colon cancer,” Dr. Bergstrom notes.  “The sugars on the mucins also carry lots of information on the health status of the colon.”

Master of Science student Noah Fancy led the work, which was the result of a strong collaborative effort between the Bergstrom Lab and the chemistry labs of Dr. Wesley Zandberg and the biology labs of Dr. Sepideh Pakpour, Dr. Deanna Gibson and Dr. Sanjoy Ghosh, all at UBC Okanagan.

The work was funded in large part by the Weston Microbiota Foundation and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation.

This research appears in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

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UBC Okanagan’s Department of History and Sociology is hosting Dr. Marius Kothor from the University of Wisconsin-Madison discussing West African women merchants and the economics of decolonization.

What: Department of History and Sociology Speakers’ Series—West African Women Merchants and the Economics of Decolonization
Who: Dr. Marius Kothor, University of Wisconsin-Madison
When: Thursday, January 11, 2024, 6-7:30 pm
Where: Okanagan Regional Library, Downtown Kelowna branch, 1380 Ellis St.

Women in Togo became such influential and successful textile traders that locals called them “Nana Benz” for the luxury cars they drove, and you can learn more about their story at the Okanagan Regional Library on Thursday.

UBC Okanagan’s Department of History and Sociology presents Dr. Marius Kothor in the second installment of its ongoing speakers’ series. Dr. Kothor is an emerging scholar of West African history who offers a distinctive interpretation of the role of women in business and politics in independent Togo in the 20th century.

She received her PhD from Yale University in May 2023 and is an incoming Assistant Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Kothor will share the story of how a group of Togolese women textile traders built an empire making and selling wax print fabrics, establishing a monopoly over pattern and distribution rights.

The women used the wealth and influence they gained to shape the political landscape of 20th-century West Africa. By leveraging their social networks and deep knowledge of regional markets, they were able to expand consumer economies during colonialism, finance the decolonization movement in Togo, and smooth the turbulent transition from independence to the military dictatorship of former president Gnassingbé Eyadéma.

The Department of History and Sociology speakers’ series at UBC Okanagan began in 2017 in collaboration with the Okanagan Regional Library, with the goal of inviting scholars and members of the public to engage with each other.

This community event is free and open to the public.

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Evangeline John wears a ribbon skirt she created in a field filled with balsam root sunflowers in Secwepemcúl’ecw. Photo courtesy of UBCO Indigenous Art Intensive.

UBC Okanagan has created a new pathway for students pursuing Indigenous studies, announcing that applications are now open for the Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies Indigenous Knowledges post-graduate degrees.

The program—iʔ sqilxʷ aʔ cmiy̓ t scmypnwíłnsəlx in Nsyilxcn—marks a significant stride in embedding Indigenous perspectives and wisdom within higher education. UBC Okanagan is the first in Canada to offer Indigenous Knowledges master’s and doctorate degrees.

UBC Okanagan’s approach to Indigenous academic programming is deeply rooted in partnership and leadership by Indigenous faculty and communities. These programs are designed to be respectful and reflective of Indigenous perspectives and knowledge systems, and are driven by those that represent their communities both on and off campus.

“Inspired by Indigenous philosophy, our program encourages students to consider ‘all our relations’ and live in harmony with the land,” says Dr. Shawn Wilson, an Associate Professor in Indigenous Studies and Program Director. “Indigenous Knowledges and languages are not just academic subjects; they are life practices emerging from deep relationships between our peoples and the land.”

The Indigenous Knowledges theme is designed to revitalize traditional Indigenous knowledge systems and languages, inspire actions to address contemporary challenges, and co-create new Indigenous knowledge. Faculty and students in the program draw on Indigenous pedagogy and methodologies, working closely with the Land, Elders and communities.

“We aim to support our students and their communities to enable Indigenous governance systems, promote health and wellbeing, and contribute to ecological restoration, among other critical areas,” stated Dr. Mike Evans, an Associate Dean in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

“Our faculty’s expertise and Indigenous methodologies form the foundation for a rich, interdisciplinary approach to contemporary issues.”

Courses blend Indigenous ways of knowing with traditional academic disciplines, offering research opportunities in language recovery, cultural revitalization and environmental stewardship.

The program draws from years of experience applying Indigenous Knowledges in a real-world context, led by nationally and internationally recognized researchers such as Dr. Jeannette Armstrong.

“Our Indigenous languages are informed by countless generations of specific knowledges arising from the lands which now require the best Indigenous science interventions,” Dr. Armstrong says.

The program emphasizes hands-on community engagement, encouraging students to apply their learning within local Indigenous communities and maintain connections to their cultural roots.

Research spans community development, Indigenous physical sciences, health and wellbeing, grounded in Indigenous theory, methodologies and philosophies.

UBC Okanagan’s Indigenous Knowledges theme reflects the university’s commitment to reconciliation and inclusive education.

“Our program is not just about acquiring knowledge; it’s about fostering holistic wellbeing, as well as nurturing academic and research excellence,” Dr. Wilson adds. “We care deeply about our students’ experiential learning and their connections within and beyond the program.”

To find out more, visit: gradstudies.ok.ubc.ca/igs/indigenous-knowledges.

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Short bursts of exercise known as exercise snacks could help make workplaces become healthier environments.

Getting up from the desk, taking a walk around the block or using the stairs instead of the elevator can go a long way in helping the health of sedentary workers, according to new research from UBC Okanagan.

A team of UBCO researchers recently published a study looking at the feasibility of short bursts of exercise—known as exercise snacks—performed in the workplace. The paper suggests if exercise snacks became as routine as sitting, virtual or in-person meetings and water cooler breaks, the workplace could become a healthier environment.

“Sedentary behaviour and physical inactivity are two key factors that have been independently linked to premature morbidity and mortality,” says the study’s lead author, Dr. Matthew Stork. “Moving more throughout the work day may not only improve physical health but also has the potential to positively impact mental health and work productivity.”

But a full day at work, combined with any household duties such as dinner preparation and helping the kids with homework, leaves little time for full-time employees to get 30 minutes of cardio exercise. That’s where the idea of exercise snacks comes in.

Exercise snacks are a modern convention, and previous studies by Dr. Jonathan Little, Professor in UBCO’s Faculty of Health and Social Development, have demonstrated that repeated short bouts of this style of exercise can help people get fitter.

This newest research, published recently in the journal Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, says exercise snacks, along with health improvements, could easily and enjoyably be integrated into the workplace, says Dr. Alexis Marcotte-Chénard, who worked on this research as a visiting scholar from the Université de Sherbrooke.

“We know traditionally prescribed moderate-intensity exercise may be impractical for many office employees who are unfit and short on time,” says Dr. Marcotte-Chénard. “The main objective of this study was to determine people’s receptivity to completing exercise snacks in a real-world workplace setting and evaluate a person’s psychological responses to two types of stairclimbing activity.”

The researchers recruited participants at UBC’s Okanagan campus, and the stairclimbing exercise was completed across five different buildings on campus—the participants’ natural working environment. The study compared two options of exercise: high-intensity interval training (HIIT), performed as three bouts of about 60 stairs (three flights) within a structured five- to six-minute HIIT session, and exercise snacks, consisting of three isolated bouts of about 60 stairs performed sporadically throughout the work day.

“We wanted to determine which option the participants found to be more pleasurable, enjoyable and practical for completion in their natural work environment,” says Dr. Marcotte-Chénard. “Participants tried both options while supervised by the researchers, and then were free to try either option unsupervised in their workplace for one week.”

Results showed that 71 per cent of participants preferred completing exercise snacks, compared to stair-climbing HIIT. There was also a lower perceived rating of exertion during the exercise snacks. Whether they preferred HIIT or exercise snacks, all participants noted high post-exercise enjoyment and self-efficacy towards both types of workplace exercise.

“There has been a lack of research to assess the psychological and affective response to exercise snacks, which is a major gap because these are known to be important predictors of exercise participation,” adds Dr. Stork.

“This study addressed this key knowledge gap by examining the psychological responses to exercise snacks. To our knowledge, this was the first study assessing the acute psychological responses to exercise snacks in a workplace setting. The findings are encouraging because they indicate that exercise snacks, simply climbing three flights of stairs three times per day, might be an attractive way to increase physical activity and fitness in the workplace.”

This new study helps build the foundation for future research on the potential health benefits of exercise snacks in the real world. Drs. Little and Marcotte-Chénard continue the research in the Exercise Metabolism and Inflammation Lab at UBC Okanagan.

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UBC Okanagan faculty and community partners are hosting a two-day virtual symposium about the ongoing Columbia River Basin Treaty.

As the clock ticks on the existing Columbia River Treaty, UBC Okanagan faculty members are preparing to discuss the river, its environmental effects, treaty operations and how climate change has affected the waterway throughout BC, Washington State and Oregon at a two-day virtual symposium scheduled for Nov. 29 and 30.

The symposium will cover many aspects of the Columbia River including the long and storied history of the 60-year Columbia River Transboundary Treaty between Canada and the US, governance, vitality and the future of this 2,000-kilometre-long body of water that stretches across the 49th parallel.

The Tribes and First Nations Advisory Committee, which includes members such as Pauline Terbasket of the Okanagan Nation Alliance and DR Michel from the Upper Columbia United Tribes, among others, has been pivotal in shaping the symposium’s topics and speaker selection. They’re drawing from extensive knowledge and experience in the Columbia River Basin and their guidance reflects over a decade of trusted and reciprocal relationships, which are fundamental to the ongoing dialogues and gatherings organized in the Basin.

Dr. Joanne Taylor, a Postdoctoral researcher in UBCO’s Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, is the lead event organizer. She says a new treaty is imperative for First Nations, Tribes, Basin residents and the environment.

Can you explain what is at stake for residents of the Columbia River Basin?

Residents have numerous concerns including flood control and flexibility in how the river is operated. Sixty years ago, when the treaty was first put into action, the First Nations and public were not consulted or included in negotiations as the treaty was designed solely for flood control and hydropower between the two countries.

Controlling the Columbia River caused irreparable damage to the environment, decimated First Nations’ and Tribes’ fisheries and cultures, and displaced more than 2,000 people while submersing viable farmland in the Arrow Lakes area that was flooded when one of three Columbia treaty dams—the Hugh Keenleyside—was built in 1968 under the treaty.

This speaks to the heart of my research into food and water security for both colonial settlers and First Nations. Although the Grand Coulee Dam built prior to the treaty killed fish passage, we cannot ignore the unfair operations of dams in the area.

Many residents are calling for the removal of dams as has been done on the Klamath River along the Oregon-California border and the Elwa River in Washington State where anadromous (migrating) fish species returned naturally and almost immediately.

What is concerning about the current state of the basin?

Along the 230-kilometer-long Arrow Lakes reservoir, we are seeing some of the lowest water levels ever which are exposing First Nations’ archeological sites, relics of lost homes and farmland on dried river beds, and thousands of fish that are dying due to a lack of normal flow and water levels. Basin residents are deeply saddened and want to see flexibility in how the river is operated which would include consulting Sovereigns—a call that is consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

How Canada and the US proceed in creating a revised treaty is an opportunity for reconciliation between Canada and Indigenous Peoples. We need to think about the salmon, the river and what legacy we are leaving to our children, seven generations into the future.

When is a new treaty expected to be announced?

After 19 rounds of negotiations that began in 2018, both US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have encouraged treaty negotiators to work hard to create a newly revised transboundary agreement by Sept. 16, 2024. This date is when the guaranteed flood control component of the current treaty expires and reverts to on-call; something that neither country necessarily wants to see as they wade into unknown waters, literally. Hydropower generation continues indefinitely until the treaty is renewed or expires. Negotiators are now meeting on a weekly basis.

What is being organized by researchers and partners of the Columbia Basin?

We have organized a two-day virtual event where Indigenous voices will join academics, community and government leaders, and residents of the Columbia River Basin in a non-partisan forum that will discuss the future of the river and its resources.

Who will be speaking and what will be discussed at this event?

This event is organized by UBCO, the Universities Consortium on Columbia River Governance, the One River Ethics Matter Project and the North American Youth Parliament for Water.

We will also have presentations from people across the basin and the globe, including those from Tribes and First Nations, concerned youth, not-for-profit representatives and individuals from private and public sector businesses.

Some of the topics that will be discussed are Indigenous-led salmon revitalization initiatives in the basin, water quality in the Elk and Kootenai/y watersheds, global perspectives on governance models, ethical and intergenerational aspects of public engagement in water governance and other pressing issues facing the third largest watershed in North America.

Through open invitations to not only basin residents but to participants globally, this symposium is designed to engage a broader public through synthesis, exchange, networking and facilitated dialogues between and beyond the Columbia River Treaty, and will act as a catalyst for an in-person gathering that organizers are currently considering for next year.

How can people learn more?

For more information and to register, visit columbiabasingovernance.org.

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A still from The Floating Man shows Smith dressed as Peanut, a “genderqueer clown in love with pink,” in a reflective moment.

What: The Floating Man film screening
When: Wednesday, November 22, 7 to 10 pm
Where: Mary Irwin Theatre, Rotary Centre for the Arts, 421 Cawston Ave., Kelowna
Cost: Sliding scale $10 to $25

In his intimate self-portrait, Michael V. Smith’s feature documentary The Floating Man explores his gender journey with his signature vision of iconic imagery.

During the documentary Smith, who is Professor of Creative Writing in UBC Okanagan’s Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, sources his art practice to examine a lifetime of untrue stories about his body. Beginning with interviews in his hometown, and moving forward through mentors—such as queer filmmaker John Greyson— and then students of his own in Kelowna, Smith explores the kaleidoscope of a body’s relationship with gender.

Running parallel in a second storyline is footage from a disastrous art project Smith attempted in 2005. Dressed as Peanut the Dancing Clown, Smith hitchhiked from Vancouver to the Sunshine Coast over the Canada Day long weekend in search of celebrated artist Joni Mitchell. However, he felt too awkward to perform as Peanut and never did meet the iconic Canadian singer.

Smith says this new movie is a conversation starter.

“It’s a love letter to my young self, to tell him what beauty is available if he listens to his own joy. And to let other people know that nuance and being in between are exquisite tools for self-actualization and social change, to help others find themselves too.”

The Floating Man premiered at Chicago’s Reeling Film Festival, and is now scheduled in other festivals across North America. The sold-out Canadian premiere took place October 22, in Vancouver, in partnership with UBC Connects at Robson Square and Out On Screen.

“Queers invent ourselves in such communal and compassionate and inquisitive ways, gender being a particularly joyful example of that embodiment, which gets negotiated against social pressures and ignorant lies,” Smith says, noting that he is excited to share this work with the local community in Kelowna. “I’m so glad that people are seeing the movie for what I’d hoped. It’s wonderful to be so witnessed. And to receive that sharing of themselves in return.”

He does warn there is some harmless nudity towards the end of the film, similar to what might be seen in an art gallery. Viewer discretion is advised.

A bar and concession will be available before and during the show. The venue is wheelchair accessible and has gendered, stalled washrooms, with a gender-neutral, accessible washroom available by request.

Doors open at 7 pm, with opening remarks at 7:30 pm. The film is 77 minutes long, with a time for questions afterwards. Tickets for the screening are available on a sliding scale between $10-$25 and can be purchased at: www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-floating-man-kelowna-film-premiere-tickets-731354028587

This event is made possible with the support of UBC Okanagan, the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies and the Rotary Centre for the Arts.

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Recent UBCO research explored burrowing owls in the Okanagan and how they’re adapting to climate change. Photo by Ray Hennessy on Unsplash.

As the world grapples with the pressing challenges of climate change, new research from UBC Okanagan emphasizes the critical role of grasslands in sustaining biodiversity, particularly for migrating species like the burrowing owl.

A recent study from Dr. Lilian P. Sales, a postdoctoral fellow working with Dr. Lael Parrott in UBCO’s Earth, Environmental and Geographic Sciences department, explored the burrowing owl and how it’s adapting to climate change. The iconic species might see its habitat expand toward northern latitudes due to changing climates; however, this expansion is contingent on the availability of its primary habitat, native grasslands.

“A key motivation for this is the preservation of the Okanagan grasslands,” says Dr. Sales. “Despite its low abundance, the burrowing owl is often used as a symbol for grassland preservation and serves as a cultural icon linking the land, its people and conservation efforts.”

The burrowing owl depends on grassland environments for nesting and breeding. The study, employing ecological niche models coupled with climate and soil data, projected that under specific high-emission climate change scenarios, the burrowing owl could expand its range three to 10-fold toward northern regions. However, nearly half of these newly suitable environments might lack grassland coverage, predominantly due to human activities like agriculture and urbanization.

This deficiency might hinder the establishment of breeding populations for the owl. Such discoveries underline the urgent need to prioritize the conservation of grasslands across western North America.

“Not only could these grasslands offer sanctuary to the burrowing owl, but they could also serve as pivotal habitats for many other species migrating from the south,” says Dr. Sales.

The researchers strongly advise that any land-use plans for the future should integrate strategies for protecting grassland habitats, which are well adapted to the conditions of our changing climate. Such foresight will ensure that these areas can be practical tools for regional climate adaptation and biodiversity preservation.

“In the Okanagan, conservation areas such as the South Okanagan Grasslands Protected Area and the proposed South Okanagan Similkameen National Park Reserve are critical parts of a strategy for ensuring our landscape can be resilient to climate change,” says Dr. Parrott. “As a climate adaptation strategy, local governments should strive to protect a connected network of grasslands and open habitats from Osoyoos to Vernon.”

A focused approach towards safeguarding grasslands, intertwined with targeted conservation initiatives for species like the burrowing owl and burrow-digging mammals, can potentially maintain the diversity of these unique ecosystems in our changing climate.

“While it’s tempting to label the burrowing owl as a climate change indicator, we lack sufficient data to do so confidently,” Dr. Sales says. “However, we can predict range expansions for grassland-dependent species, and they will need natural cover to thrive.”

Dr. Sales says she was especially invested in the research because it connected her with the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of BC. The group was instrumental in helping the UBCO researchers give their work real-world context.

The research offers a broader perspective on biodiversity conservation, says Dr. Sales. Landscape management should evolve as species move and adjust their geographic ranges in response to changing climates. Holding onto historical species lists as benchmarks for ecosystem health might become obsolete given the rapid ecological changes expected this century, she says.

“Adopting a forward-thinking approach to conservation might be the key to safeguarding global biodiversity in an ever-changing world,” says Dr. Sales.

The study appears in the journal Science of the Total Environment.

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Not only did Remission Possible participant Amy significantly improve her blood sugar levels, but she also lost weight and started feeling better physically and mentally.

A team of UBC Okanagan researchers recently won an award for a social media campaign that helps showcase research findings showing that Type 2 diabetes remission is possible.

More than 90 per cent of the diabetes diagnoses in Canada are Type 2—when a person’s body does not make enough insulin and the body becomes insulin resistant, leading to risese in blood sugar levels and the body not creating the energy it needs for proper functioning.

Today is World Diabetes Day and UBCO researchers Dr. Jonathan Little, a Professor in the Faculty of Health and Social Development, and Dr. Barbara Oliveira, a Research Coordinator with the School of Health and Exercise Sciences and the Centre For Chronic Disease Prevention and Management, want people to know that diet and exercise changes can help control Type 2 diabetes.

Dr. Little talks about Remission Possible, the award they won and new hope for many people with Type 2 diabetes.

Can you explain the T2 Spark Innovation Challenge?

The T2D Spark Innovation Challenge was a recent contest that provided a platform for students, researchers, health-care providers, innovators and people living with or affected by Type 2 diabetes. Participants had an opportunity to pitch, in front of a panel of judges in a Dragon’s Den style format, creative ideas that could help with Type 2 diabetes prevention, management, and remission.

The event was sponsored by the BC Diabetes Research Network, Interior Health and UBC Okanagan’s Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Centre, along with private partners. Our team won $15,000 for our story-telling and social media campaign Remission Possible.

What is Remission Possible?

There is emerging scientific evidence that Type 2 diabetes can be put into remission and this provides new hope for people because it indicates their condition may not be chronic and progressive and they may be able to control their blood sugar and come off medication with specific changes to diet and exercise.

Harnessing the power of character and story—from people with lived experience of Type 2 diabetes remission—our team created an inspiring social media campaign to spread the word that remission is possible.

The campaign shares the real-life journeys of people who have achieved Type 2 diabetes remission. With social media advertising, we are able to promote these stories to reach thousands of British Columbians, spreading the word that Type 2 diabetes remission is possible.

The campaign provides evidence-based information, a toolkit with tips on remission and a letter they can bring to their health-care provider.

What are some of the stories from your participants?

Working with documentary filmmaker Damien Gillis, Remission Possible tells the inspiring journeys of JJ, Theresa, Chris and Amy.

JJ was enrolled in one of our UBCO clinical trials to achieve remission by following a low-calorie diet. Theresa worked with her doctor to follow a low-carb diet, engaged in time-restricted eating and started taking post-dinner walks. Chris learned how to follow a ketogenic diet and became an avid hiker and rock climber. Meanwhile, Amy started exercising and worked with a dietitian on a sustainable eating plan.

All of the participants explained in their videos how remission gave them hope that they could manage their condition and that remission was a journey, not a destination. Each story was unique but one commonality was that a supportive health-care provider—a doctor, registered dietitian or pharmacist—was key.

And what were the results? Is this typical?

Each individual has their own inspiring pathway. Amy, for example, noticed her blood sugars were going too high, with an A1C at 11.1 per cent—higher than the 6.5 per cent threshold for diabetes diagnoses. She worked with a dietitian to change her diet and got active by incorporating tennis and dragon boat racing into her routine. Her A1C numbers came down to 5.6 per cent—which is in the normoglycemic range—and she doesn’t have to take any medications.

Amy also lost some weight and started feeling healthy again. She highlights how important it is to respect your body and accept “pauses or small missteps” along the ongoing journey of Type 2 diabetes remission.

What direction do you see your research going in the future?

Through the power of story and social media, we wish to connect with broader audiences nationally and internationally to demonstrate the value and hope that Type 2 remission can bring to patients.

We would also like to integrate health-care provider-based remission programs and empower interested patients to take the next step in their health journey.

To learn more, or share a success story, look for Remission Possible stories on social media, at facebook.com/T2Dremission or learn more at: diabetesremission.ca

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Wendy Wong, UBC Okanagan Professor of Political Science.

It’s critical to understand how Big Tech is mining, storing and profiting from your data, says UBC Okanagan Professor Dr. Wendy H. Wong, because human experiences are becoming data.

Wong is a Principal’s Research Chair and Political Science Professor interested in human rights, global governance, international relations and, especially, data rights.

“We face losses on both individual and societal levels,” she says. “Our identity and humanity are at risk. When companies gather data and build profiles about us, they steer us toward particular outcomes. This challenges our autonomy and how we’re perceived and treated by others. This isn’t just about respect but dignity and equality.”

Dr. Wong attempts to unravel many of these sticky issues in her new book, We the Data: Human Rights in the Digital Age.

Can you shed light on the role of Big Tech companies in creating data?

Data about us is co-created. Every piece of data is a collaboration between the individual’s actions or thoughts and the entity collecting it. This mutual creation complicates our ability to claim complete control. While we might want rights to “our data,” we have to recognize that this data, in its current form, didn’t even exist before the 2000s when companies began actively collecting it. Big Tech shapes our world through data collection. The pathway to empowerment is through data literacy and becoming a data stakeholder.

How does becoming a stakeholder help us?

Being a data stakeholder means understanding how data affects us and our communities. It’s realizing that we have power over AI and data technologies. We don’t have to let machines dictate our lives. By understanding data better, we can make informed decisions and have more control.

How does data affect human rights?

From an individual perspective, data collection can strip us of our identity and humanity. Algorithms categorize all of us, based on our past actions and the actions of those “like us.” They nudge us, but they assume our pasts predict our futures. But often they don’t. It’s a loss of autonomy, and in a sense, dignity. We’ve seen the effects of this in social media. People can adopt toxic behaviours when exposed to toxic content, leading to real-world harm that prevents others from acting or treating others as lesser, in simple black-and-white terms

How do you respond to the idea that AI’s emergence is unavoidable?

I’m not saying we should stop AI’s development. It’s important to know that conceding control to machines is a choice, not a conclusion. Our current challenge is that we’re attributing too much power to these machines. Consider cars: they’re faster and stronger than humans, but we never envisioned them taking over. We control them. With AI and algorithms, there’s this disconnect. These machines are human-made tools, not entities that magically appeared. It’s vital we remember that and take back control.

Why do you write that data, and not algorithms, are the larger problem?

An AI is only as good as the information it’s fed. The rise of machine learning took off once companies began hoarding data. Let’s shift our focus from algorithms and hone in on data. If we handle data correctly, we can avoid harmful outcomes. Instead of tweaking algorithms, let’s evaluate and manage the data they’re using. That way, we can preserve our human identity and uphold our values.

Isn’t the genie out of the bottle? How can we expect corporations to stop something so profitable?

I genuinely question if these major technology companies, with all their smart, highly trained personnel, can’t find a new business model if data collection becomes more stringent or costly, both financially and socio-politically. Would companies adapt if suddenly accessing loads of data came with more friction or costs? I believe so. Some suggest paying individuals for their data. I’m not a fan—it feels wrong, like selling parts of yourself. Instead, why not have users pay for services? If apps became pricier, maybe users would prioritize and only use what truly benefits them. It could naturally sift out unnecessary data-hungry apps.

How does government play a role?

It can create policies that safeguard individuals and groups while putting checks on technology companies. What gets to me is when I see efforts, like Parliament, trying to regulate AI by only consulting those who profit financially from AI development. By doing that, we’re getting their wish list of regulations rather than what might be best for society. If we don’t want machines to dominate, we have to actively make that choice. And, if AI companies are the only voices shaping the policies, it’s unlikely those regulations will truly reflect the society’s broader wishes.

Is the onus on individuals to protect their data?

Handing someone a lengthy terms and conditions document, filled with complex jargon, is like passing the buck. If everyone just agrees, why would companies change? Even if you decide to switch off all your apps, you’re one person. Imagine trying to navigate modern urban life, especially a professional one, without online tools. Our capitalist system pushes this idea of individual control, even when the broader system isn’t really in an individual’s hands. I might sound critical of capitalism, and that’s a broader issue, but when technology giants claim they can’t adjust because of profits, given their historic wealth, I find it hard to believe.

Dr. Wendy H. Wong is a Professor and Principal’s Research Chair in Political Science. In her latest book, We the Data: Human Rights in the Digital Age she explores how technology companies play a pivotal role in governing our lives by leveraging the countless amounts of personal data generated in our everyday interactions online.

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Researchers from UBC Okanagan and Delft University of Technology have created a new modelling framework that can help improve wind energy technology, forecasts and productivity.

While wind farms have become widely popular methods of generating energy, researchers are now looking at the impact of these large farms on wind patterns and the surrounding environment.

Using large-scale simulations to better understand the way air moves across and within wind farms, researchers from UBC Okanagan and Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) in the Netherlands have developed a modelling framework that will help improve wind energy forecasts and productivity.

The researchers also hope to learn how large wind farms can alter natural wind patterns.

“Wind farms are getting so large that they can actually alter the structure of the incoming wind,” explains Dr. Joshua Brinkerhoff, an Associate Professor in UBCO’s School of Engineering.

“This structure, which engineers call the atmospheric boundary layer, describes how the wind’s speed, temperature and pressure varies with altitude.”

Not only is locating where to put a wind farm a science in itself, he explains, but fine-tuning the location of individual turbines within a grouping is paramount to power output. While software helps guide the placement of the turbines to ensure the highest yield, poorly designed wind farms will generate less power than expected, making the wind farm uneconomical.

“Our modelling framework is among the first to clearly describe how wind farms alter the atmospheric boundary layer, which makes it tremendously valuable in helping engineers design better wind farms,” says Dr. Brinkerhoff.

Working alongside colleagues from TU Delft, doctoral student Sebastiano Stipa travelled to the Netherlands as part of a Mitacs Globalink exchange to conduct the research. The research team has developed an open-source, finite-volume framework tailored for large-scale studies of how wind farms interact with the atmosphere.

The modelling framework, called the Toolbox for Stratified Convective Atmospheres (TOSCA), is designed to conduct extensive simulations of the turbulence created by big wind farms in realistic atmospheric conditions.

TOSCA, explains Stipa, can address at least two of the significant challenges currently facing wind energy by simulating boundary layer turbulence over large areas and the simulation of an entire wind farm under realistic atmospheric flow conditions.

“The results of this research will lead to a better understanding of potential wind farm power estimates and an increase in their energy outputs,” says Stipa. “This new modelling framework can serve as a roadmap for the industry.”

Dr. Brinkerhoff notes the computer modelling can help when wind farms are being established, especially to forecast whether they can create energy efficiently.

“The main outcome is that our model can capture the interaction between large wind farms and the oncoming wind,” he adds. “To date, this hasn’t been captured properly, leading to overestimation of how much power a wind farm will produce. This kind of overestimation is financially disastrous for the wind farm operators.”

Mitacs Globalink, UL Renewables and the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada supported the research. Computational resources were provided by the Digital Research Alliance of Canada and Advanced Research Computing at the University of British Columbia.

Read the full report at: wes.copernicus.org/preprints/wes-2023-40

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