Universities and Human Flourishing in the 21st Century

In a rapidly changing world, what role should universities play in shaping our future as individuals and as a society? UBC President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon offers an exploration of the evolving role of higher education and of the current impact of world-class universities, notably UBC, on our present and future. Dr. Bacon then delves into the mental health crisis our society – and notably the younger generation – is facing and ponders how universities can play a critical role in turning the tide and creating a future where everyone can aspire to personal wellbeing. This lecture aims to challenge us to rethink the purpose of higher education as a place where you not only learn to think and perform, but also how to be whole, free and fulfilled.

Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon started a five-year term as the 17th President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of British Columbia on November 1, 2023. Since 2020, he has also been serving on the Board of Directors of Universities Canada.

As President, Dr. Bacon leads the academic mission and operations of UBC as it continues to evolve as a global institution that is consistently ranked amongst the best universities in the world.

Before joining UBC, Dr. Bacon served in several academic leadership roles, including as President and Vice-Chancellor of Carleton University in Ottawa, Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) at Queen’s University in Kingston, and as Provost and Vice-President (Academic Affairs) at Concordia University in his hometown of Montreal, where he was recognized with an award as Sustainability Champion.

Dr. Bacon holds a PhD in neuropsychology from the University of Montreal, after which he undertook a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Glasgow, Scotland. His research in the field of cognitive neuroscience focuses on the links between brain activity and perception in the visual, auditory and vestibular systems, as well as on multisensory integration.

Sharing his own lived experience, he advocates nationally for open conversations about mental health and substance use. These efforts have been recognized with a Transformational Leader Inspiration Award from the Royal Ottawa Hospital, and the Honorary Presidency of the Canadian Psychological Association.