The College for Interdisciplinary Studies (CFIS) is entering a new phase, with new leadership and a new role focused on increasing the integration of interdisciplinary units across the University.

Hugh Brock, who takes over from Prof. Michael Burgess as Principal , will work closely with the Provost, Deans and senior administration to take CFIS in a new direction by refocusing the role of CFIS university-wide, extending the support for interdisciplinarity and to increase the integration of interdisciplinary units across UBC. Since joining CFIS as Associate Principal in January, 2011, Brock has taken on increasing levels of responsibility, with a focus on the six stand alone graduate programs at CFIS providing (for the first time) dedicated and ongoing Financial Support Initiative funding to CFIS graduate programs, and looking (at the Provost’s behest) at how to bring together interdisciplinary units across UBC into a more cohesive, collaborative working group.  

Michael Burgess will move into a new role advising the Provosts from UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan on the coordination of the social, global and policy implications of personalized medicine across UBC. Brock has been appointed as CFIS Principal until June 30, 2013.

Brock brings to CFIS a depth of experience in scientific research (his research area is developmental biology), administration (as former Associate Principal at CFIS, Director of the Life Sciences Institute, and Director of the Genetics graduate program), and teaching (for which he won the 2002 Killam Teaching Award).

Brock is excited about the potential of a newly re-imagined CFIS. “As I said when I joined CFIS, I believe that we have the best chance in a generation to achieve important improvements in how interdisciplinary research is encouraged, supported, and incubated across campus. I look forward to deepening relationships with those in the interdisciplinary enterprise that I have met, and forming new relationships across and beyond the campus to achieve a vision of successful interdisciplinary entities collaborating closely to realize UBC’s leadership position in interdisciplinary research and learning."

As part of CFIS’ transition to a new role, and in keeping with its incubatory function, in the near future, CFIS units will be affiliating with appropriate Faculties, where administrative support will now be located.  All these units will have an Advisory committee to provide direction and advice.

Read the memo from Dr. Farrar, UBC Provost and Vice-President Academic here.