Grad Fellows Program

Cultivating excellence in migration studies and community through an interdisciplinary fellowship.

During two consecutive academic years, the program has supported outstanding UBC graduate students engaged in research related to human migration and mobilities. This annual program offered an interdisciplinary community where students could expand and deepen their migration studies through mentorship, speaker and workshop events, research presentations, and more.

Fellows played a vital role in our academic community, contributing to the relationships and initiatives that underpin the Centre’s research excellence. The Fellows program was open to any UBC graduate student currently enrolled in a Master’s, Ph.D., or professional graduate program at the UBC Vancouver campus.

Benefits of the Program

• $400 Financial Award: Supported research and/or professional goals (excluding tuition).
• Shared Desk Space: Access to the CMS Community Room.
• Research Group Participation: Opportunity to join CMS Research Groups.
• Mentorship: Guidance from a CMS faculty affiliate from a different academic discipline.
• Small Group Meetings: Interactions with visiting speakers.
• Research Symposium: Organize and present at an all-day research symposium.
• Professional Development: Access to various professional/academic development events.
• Supportive Network: Immersion in a network of faculty and graduate student affiliates from over 30 units across campus, plus other community partners.
• Weekly Coffee Hour & Bi-Monthly Community Luncheons: Regular community-building events.

Grad Fellows Cohorts

Expectations of Fellows

Fellows were expected to actively engage in the life of the Centre and foster a collaborative environment. Specific expectations included:

• Meet with CMS Faculty Mentor: Three times over the academic year for guidance and conversation.
• Grad Fellows’ Winter Symposium: Organize and present at the symposium.
• Attend CMS Public Events: Four required events, excluding Grad Power Hours, Symposium, and closed Research Group meetings.
• Grad Power Hours: Attend two sessions and optionally present research.
• Professional Development Event: Attend at least one CMS-hosted event.
• Final Report: Submit a one-page report summarizing program participation and fund usage.

Selection Process

Fellows were chosen through a competitive application process evaluated by the CMS Executive Committee, consisting of UBC faculty affiliates from diverse disciplines related to migration and mobility. Applications were assessed based on:

• Interest or engagement in migration-related research.
• Potential to foster interdisciplinary relationships and collaborations.
• Willingness to grow in areas of decolonization and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Academic performance.
• Expected personal development from CMS resources.
• Prospects for future engagement in migration-related work.
• Contribution to the disciplinary diversity of the Grad Fellows cohort.

The Grad Fellows Program activities have been folded into the core seminar (ASTU 505) for the Graduate Certificate in Migration Studies.