About Us
The Faculty of Land and Food Systems evolved from the Faculty of Agriculture—one of the three founding faculties of UBC. In those early days, the academic mandate was closely tied to the great importance of agriculture in British Columbia. In the decades leading up to the 21st century, it became clear that complexity around food and ecological sustainability was increasing beyond the scope of provincial, disciplinary study.
After considerable discussion, the Faculty initiated a deep consultative process with communities to develop a mandate that would best reflect our role as global interdisciplinary researchers, learners, and leaders in the world-wide movement towards sustainability.
The result was a new identity and focus. The Faculty of Land and Food Systems emerged with a clear commitment to promoting education, research, and community engagement as tools to sustain human and ecological health—locally, nationally, and internationally.
Our responsibility as members of this Faculty is to champion this focus and to make this large, diverse institution accessible to you. We would like to find ways to connect and reconnect with you around mutual concerns and activities. We would be pleased to take your call or meet with you, to explore opportunities to continue your engagement with UBC, and to answer any questions you may have.
Message from Prof. Rickey Yada, Dean of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems
We are a Faculty of superheroes.
If you think about it, the goal of any good superhero is to save the world – which is exactly what our faculty members, staff and students set out to do every day by addressing global issues surrounding health and sustainable land and food systems.
And there is much that needs to be saved. All living things depend on the sustainability of the earth’s resources, and learning how to protect and better manage those limited resources is crucial to our survival. Critical environmental issues like water pollution, food shortages and rising temperatures could have a catastrophic effect on our ability to meet basic human needs in the near future.
Here’s the good news: experts in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems are working on solutions to many of these problems. Our researchers are studying everything from climate change and storm water management to the relationship between food, nutrition, diet and health. The research discoveries being made here have the potential to reach across borders for world-wide applications.
We’re also sharing what we’ve learned with the next generation of scientists – our students. They come to us with a strong sense of global responsibility, passionate about creating positive and lasting change. We believe that by providing them with the opportunity to learn outside the traditional classroom – whether it’s through an internship in their chosen field, taking part in a community-based experiential learning project or studying overseas – we can enhance their education and help them develop the skills they need to make their mark.
I can personally attest to the quality of education that our students receive, having once been a student here myself. To be able to return as Dean is particularly rewarding for me and I’m looking forward to working together and helping to shape the future of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems.
Dr. Rickey Y. Yada, Dean
Faculty of Land and Food Systems
