SCHOLARS TO LEADERS SPEAKER SERIES | October 2023

Possible Futures: Reflections On My Own Journey and Your Possible Journeys

Dr. Hepburn will share insight from navigating his career journey advancing the research & innovation ecosystem in Canada. Drawing from experiences in both academia and the non-profit sector, he will shed light on how his leadership has evolved in his various capacities, emphasizing the fulfilling aspects of roles dedicated to advancing research. Dr. Hepburn will also discuss the research & innovation landscape in Canada, highlighting its profound impact, and how PhD researchers can make meaningful contributions. Join us in exploring how to leverage advanced education to foster innovation.

Speaker Bio
For almost two decades, Dr. John Hepburn advanced the capacity of UBC's research portfolio, creating new institutional partnerships in China, India, and around the world. His previous positions at UBC include Vice-President, Research and International, Dean of the Faculty of Science, and Head of the Department of Chemistry. After more than ten years overseeing research at UBC, Dr. Hepburn took the role of Vice President, Research and Partnerships at CIFAR in 2016. There he stewarded a major renewal of research programs through an international call-for-proposals and extensive review of existing programs. With a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Toronto and an undergraduate degree in Chemistry from the University of Waterloo, Hepburn is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and a former Canada Council Killam Research Fellow.

A pizza lunch will be provided at 12 noon on a first come, first served basis.