New Term, New Team 💪 (nope? Just me)

Hello! Today’s a great day, you know why? Because it’s Thursday and Thursdays are for new beginnings, yay!

Hi, my name is Fiona (she/her) and I’m The Ubyssey’s new features editor! I’m so excited to work with you all! A bit about me: last year, I was on senior staff for Culture and was the magazine’s culture editor which makes me an imposter 🥸. Anyways, I’m in my fifth and final year of undergrad doing a major in cognitive systems in the psychology stream, and a minor in French language. And if I’m not in the office I’m probably playing music, arguing with my laptop in my psych lab or snapping photos. Otherwise, this summer, I am her:

MY job is to make sure YOUR investigations, creative writing, and all-around hard work make it out into the world in their best form. For newcomers, you’re likely wondering, what the heck is a feature? I don’t even remember subscribing to this newsletter.

WELL! Here at Features, we ask the tough questions. While most sections might consider more timely or isolated events (say the symptoms), we look into the why and the how (the causes). Our features are backed by research and facts. And when we’re not doing that, we’re touching on what makes us all human through creative writing, or highlighting important people on our campus.

Why should you write for features? The better question is, why SHOULDN’T you? - For the yappers: big word count. For the dreamers: a chance to dabble in creative writing. For the detectives: a reason to ask hard-hitting questions. We are so cool, it’s unfathomable, there I said it.

Stay tuned for summer plans for this section such as potential team meetings, get-togethers…dare I say workshops 👀 I’m working part-time and love coming to the office. But do you know how many times I’ve yelled “hello” from my desk thinking someone else was in the room and then feeling the uncomfy pit in my stomach once I realized there was no one to talk to🧍‍♀️? Come say hi! I already know you’re cool, let’s be friends.

AND NOW for what you’re really here for 👀: PITCHES!!

Some things to keep in mind:

• To secure a pitch, respond to this email. I’m accepting writers on a first come first serve basis for all pieces, not including creative writing works.

• Are you a first-time writer? Please let me know in your email response.

• Once I confirm your pitch request, you can expect a follow-up email from me within 24 hours with more details on the piece.

• Consider conflict of interest implications when picking up a piece and ask me about this if you’re unsure.

• I LOVE COMMUNICATION! I will check in with you throughout the writing process but it’s also on YOU to tell ME if you’re feeling stressed about deadlines or unsure about how to proceed with anything. I gotcha <3

Our Campus: Carol Liao

Dr. Carol Liao is an Associate Professor at Allard Law and the UBC Sauder Distinguished Fellow of the Peter P. Dhillon Centre for Business Ethics. Her research concerns corporate law, sustainability, climate governance, and gender and racial justice. Talk to her about the intersectionality of her research, her work with the Canada Climate Law Initiative, priorities when it comes to educating etc.

800-1000 words

Due Friday May 17 by 5pm

Co-op preparing students for the ¿?real world?¿

Co-op is a great opportunity to get some professional work experience and build your network pre-graduation. But completion of the program usually entails at least a one-year extension for your degree, low pay, added expenses and recruitment frustrations. So what are some alternatives to becoming “employable” and is co-op worth it? How are students preparing for the real world post-graduation? This is an investigative pitch so talk to current and alum co-op students about their experiences, as well as the co-op office and the UBC Career Centre about program accessibility and satisfaction. Details in the follow-up email to this pitch.

1000-1500 words

Due June 21 by 5pm

Introducing: our creative (non)-fiction corner!!

I’m continuing Iman’s momentum in our creative writing department with a new initiative: every two months, I’ll be pitching out a new theme and your job is to stick to that theme in really any way shape, or form. We’re talking poems, personal essays and short stories. For May-June, I’m looking for creative non-fiction and fiction pieces about (*drum-roll*): birds! - Geese (personal fav), seagulls (personal op), pigeons, emus, penguins…surprise me. I will be taking multiple entries so feel free to write more than one piece.

Up to 1000 words

Due May 17 - June 21 by 5pm