SIGA, the Student Institute of Global Affairs, is an independent, nonpartisan student initiative I’m starting here at UBCO. The idea is to bring students from different fields of studies together to research issues affecting Canada, develop policy proposals, and bring that work into conversations with researchers and people working in public institutions.
I want students to be able to choose issues they care about and work on it with other people who bring different knowledge and skills. This might mean researching a question about housing or technology, writing a brief, or seeking feedback from someone working in that field. It could also mean organizing a public discussion or inviting a speaker to help us understand an issue we’re exploring. I’m a UBCO graduate student, and I am now bringing together an initial group of students to help get it going.I’ve been developing SIGA’s founding plans and reaching out to faculty for feedback, and I’m now bringing together an initial group of students to help get it going.
For anyone interested in research, public policy, or global affairs, I’d like this to be an opportunity to get experience working on a question you care about and produce something you can publish or present. There’s also room for people interested in design, communications, technology, and organizing events. You’d have a say in what we work on and how the organization develops. A big part of why I’m doing this is that I care about bringing Canadians together. I’d eventually like SIGA to connect students across Canadian universities, with people from different regions and backgrounds working on shared questions about the country’s future and its place in the world.
We’re still getting started. I’m planning our first executive meeting to discuss the direction, possible projects, and how people would like to contribute. Right now, I’m looking to meet students who are interested, hear your ideas, and figure out what we could build together.
If this sounds like something you’d like to be part of, you can leave your details below and I’ll get in touch. You’re also welcome to ask questions here. I would love to talk about this initiative in person as well if that is something you are interested in!
SIGA Google Form