Upcoming
The Policy Lab - Voices From the Field (Ep. 4)
A Key Approach for Policymakers: Life Cycle Thinking
Details:
- Date: Thursday, November 19, 2026
- Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm
- Location: Online Zoom Session
Guest Speaker: Mahbod Rouhany - President & Founder, Strategic Carbon Management & Managing Director, REVIVIFY; Sustainability Sessional Faculty, UCW
Policies designed to solve one problem can create unintended consequences elsewhere. Drawing on his experience as a sustainability entrepreneur who turned challenges he encountered in the field into opportunities for innovation, Mahbod introduces life cycle thinking as a practical approach to understanding the broader environmental, social, and economic impacts of policy decisions. His journey also highlights how innovative ideas can create new pathways for meaningful policy impact beyond traditional government and NGO roles.
Past Events and Workshops
The Policy Lab - Voices From the Field (Ep. 3)
Learning from Ancient Indigenous Stories - Northern Reflections
The purpose of the lecture series is to broaden the horizons of Policy Studies students and the wider community by providing opportunities to engage with scholars and practitioners working on a wide range of contemporary public policy issues. The series aims to showcase how public policy operates at the intersection of theory and practice and to introduce students to diverse pathways and careers in policy-related fields.
Details:
- Date: Thursday, June 18, 2026
- Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm
- Location: Online Zoom Session
Guest Speaker: Katlia Lafferty - Manager, RELAW Co-Learning Program
Katlia Lafferty will be our third guest lecturer. Katłįà is a Yellowknives Dene First Nation woman from Sǫ̀mbak’è, Dënéndeh (Yellowknife, Northwest Territories). She spends half or her time in her home territory and the other half of her time living and working on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples as well as the neighboring W̱SÁNEĆ nations.
Katłįà holds a law degree in Indigenous Legal Orders through the University of Victoria and is an award-winning writer who has written 5 books. Her latest book is entitled “Mother Earth Is Our Elder” a northern Indigenous reflection on the climate crisis published with Penguin Random House and Harper Collins.
In her work, Katłįà aims to honor her role as an Indigenous storyteller by continuing to create visually compelling narratives that reflect her cultural background, upbringing and connection to community—crafting impactful stories through a lens rooted in Indigenous value systems and laws.
Know Your Rights
BC Employment Standards Workshop
Details:
- Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2026
- Time: 10:00am - 12:30pm
- Location: Online
Speakers:
- Kristine Castaños (Kris) - Membership Engagement Coordinator & Legal Advocate
- Ismail Askin - Community Engagement and Campaign Coordinator, Legal Advocate
Policy Lab - Voice From the Field
Public Policy for Post-Disaster Recovery: Leveraging Funding Mechanism for the Common Good
Details:
- Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025
- Time: 10:00am - 11:30am
- Location: Online - Email: shiva.olyaei@kpu.ca
Speaker #2: Cheryl Wiens - Director, Policy, Planning and Appeals - Government of BC, Public Policy and Disaster Recovery
Cheryl Wiens is currently serving as the Director of Policy, Planning and Appeals within the Disaster Recovery Division of British Columbia’s Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness. She leads a dedicated team of policy analysts and appeals adjudicators motivated by a vision of a disaster resilient B.C.
A molecular biologist by training and a committed civic advocate, Cheryl has a track record of driving community-centered sustainability initiatives in the Township of Langley—ranging from advocating for supportive housing and science-based emissions targets to maintaining a locally controlled back-up water source.
In 2020, Cheryl ran as an MLA candidate in the Langley East riding, securing 11.4% of the vote.
Her public voice emphasizes a fair, caring and sustainable economy as the foundation for a healthy community and promising future.
The Policy Lab - Voices From the Field
Policy as Art - How Policy Reflects as an Art Practice
Details:
- Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2025
- Time: 11:15am - 12:30pm
- Location: Surrey Campus, Maple Building - Room 3830
Speaker #1: Nesreen Ali - Founder, Dihya Insight - Intersectional Public Policy
Nesreen is an intersectionality focused policy leader who has made waves advancing public policy for a more inclusive world. She is the Founder of Dihya Insight an intersectional organizational and public policy advisory firm.
Nesreen has led municipal, provincial and national-level efforts to advance equity, change policy and get-work done. She is backed by over 10 years in policy and systems change leadership across Canada, Masters in Public Administration and an Associate Certificate in Conflict Coaching.
