General Information
Where is the Audain Symposium held?
The symposium is hosted at the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (UBC-Vancouver). All events and activities are held on the northern edge of campus, in close walking proximity. Our campus is located within 20 minutes of Vancouver's central core, and borders scenic Pacific Spirit Park, multiple public beaches, Musqueam First Nation Reserve #2, and the trendy Kitsilano neighborhood.
How often is the Audain Symposium held?
The symposium is hosted every three years at UBC.
Can I attend if I am not presenting?
Yes, you may register at no cost to attend in-person. Attendance is limited, so please register early! RSVP forms will close when we reach our maximum number of guests for each event. Attendees are provided with complimentary meals during symposium events (keynote and presentations).
If you plan on attending any events for the symposium, please RSVP here.
Due to space constraints, the formal dinner on May 16th is limited to presenters.
Can I attend remotely?
The symposium is hosted in-person.
Which meals are included?
Meals include the keynote dinner reception on May 15th, and breakfast/lunch on May 16th during the symposium presentations.
For solo dining at UBC, we recommend:
Cafes near UBC's Gage Suites, such as Great Dane Coffee, Hero + Harvest, or Loafe. For lunch and dinner, we suggest the Gallery Patio & Lounge, Brown's Crafthouse, Jamjar Canteen, Mercante, or Wildlight. UBC offers a variety of fast food and convenience options located at the AMS Student Nest, along University Boulevard, or Wesbrook Village (southern campus, where Save-On-Foods grocery store is also located). Late night drinks can be found at Koerner's Pub, Brown's Crafthouse, or the Gallery Patio & Lounge.
What is transportation in Vancouver like?
The nearest airport is Vancouver International Airport (YVR), located approximately 25 minutes south of UBC and with an impressive collection of Indigenous art. We recommend using Uber, Lyft, or a local taxi service for transportation to and from the airport. If you are arriving from outside of Canada, please ensure that your passport is valid and that your bank is notified of international travel.
If traveling around Vancouver, we recommend public transportation, as UBC has many bus depots. Our campus is not located within walking distance of the city, but UBC offers many amenities/attractions on campus.
If you have a vehicle, UBC offers paid public parking options at various garages/parking lots on campus.
What attractions do you recommend on campus?
UBC is known for its outdoor beauty and public art. Worthwhile attractions include the UBC Botanical Garden, Nitobe Japanese Memorial Garden, Pacific Spirit Park for hiking (located on the periphery of campus in all directions), and easy to access beaches with paved paths such as Spanish Banks, Locarno Beach, and Jericho Beach. (Wreck Beach is clothing-optional and challenging to access.) UBC is also home to the Museum of Anthropology. Our campus includes a variety of Indigenous art displays and architecture, consisting of murals, totem poles, canoes, and other monumental sculptures.
What should I see off campus?
In Vancouver, we recommend exploring West Broadway, West 4th, or Cornwall Avenue in the Kitsilano neighborhood. Located nearby is Granville Island, a public market with numerous Indigenous art galleries, shops, marinas, and restaurants. Adjacent to downtown is iconic Stanley Park, home to trails and beaches, an aquarium, restaurants, viewpoints, and totem poles. The West End and Chinatown are bustling and border the downtown core, or you could explore Mount Pleasant's Main Street. The Bloedel Conservatory and nearby VanDusen Botanical Garden might also spark your interest.
Outside of Vancouver, we recommend taking a day trip to Bowen Island via ferry, venturing across the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge, visiting Pitt Lake, or enjoying Golden Ears Provincial Park.
What will the weather be like?
Although Vancouver is known for its temperate rainforest climate, the summers are mild and dry! Average temperatures in May are in the 60s F (15-20 C), but can be warmer.
Whom should I contact if I have dietary restrictions, food allergies, mobility needs, or other accommodations?
Attendees can provide information regarding preferences and accommodations on the RSVP forms.
Whom should I contact if I have additional questions?
For all other inquiries, please contact: audain.symposium@ubc.ca
Information for Presenters
How do I submit a paper proposal?
Please submit your 500 word (maximum) abstract (1 page, single spaced), using our "Call for Papers" tab above.
When is the deadline for submissions?
Abstracts are due April 1st, 2025.
When will applicants be notified if they have been selected to present at the symposium?
Acceptance notices will be sent out by April 15th, 2025.
Do you require a final draft of my paper prior to the symposium?
No, but you are required to send any slides, video, or visuals related to your presentation to audain.symposium@ubc.ca prior to the symposium, so that we can load these onto a singular laptop to be used for the event.
What are the requirements for presenting a paper?
Presenters will attend and participate in the entirety of the symposium, including all activities, meals, and presentations from May 14th-17th, 2025. With the exception of the keynote speaker, presenters are allotted 20 minutes, plus an additional 10 minutes for Q &A (30 minutes total). Slides and visuals are encouraged.
Can I present remotely?
Papers are presented onsite at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. All events and activities take place on campus.
Are presentations recorded?
Presentations are not recorded.
Will symposium proceedings be published?
Following the symposium, select presenters will be contacted to publish an expanded version of their paper as a chapter in an edited book volume.
Do you offer travel funds/accommodations for presenters?
All presenters are provided with complimentary lodging (Signature Studio) for 3 nights at UBC's Gage Suites, catered meals and beverages during symposium events, gifts/tokens of appreciation for participating, and the option to book complimentary plane tickets (worth up to $1,000) with our travel agent.
You do not need to make a hotel booking. Gage Suites is located within 10 minutes of all symposium venues, and each suite includes a kitchen and desk space. Click here for Gage Suites' parking and arrival information.
You are responsible for arranging transport between UBC and Vancouver International Airport (YVR), located approximately 25 minutes away. We recommend using Uber, Lyft, or a local taxi service.
For those who do not require plane tickets and/or lodging, an honoraria is offered. When presenters are notified of their acceptance to the symposium, further details will be provided.
Do I need to RSVP for symposium events if I am presenting?
No.
Whom should I contact if I have dietary restrictions, food allergies, mobility needs, or other accommodations?
Presenters will be asked about their preferences and accommodations regarding meals, events, and hotel rooms after they receive their notice of acceptance.
Whom should I contact if I have additional questions?
For all other inquiries, please contact: audain.symposium@ubc.ca