Best of the WWEST

In this episode, we speak with Alexis Armstrong, founder of Peggy Work Wear.

Alexis is a sedimentologist with a diverse background spanning gold mining, academia, and marine research. Before transitioning to academia, she worked as a field geologist, 3D modeler, and exploration geologist. As part of the International Ocean Discovery Program, she sailed on the Joides Resolution, completing over ten marine expeditions, including two to Antarctica.

She’s also the host of The Smoko Podcast, where she shares stories of women in non-traditional careers.

In this episode, Alexis discusses what inspired her to create a workwear company designed for women and gender-diverse individuals in trades—and the impact she hopes to make.

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Visit wwest-cwse.ca to learn more about WWEST and to listen to other available episodes.

In this episode, we’re joined by Sophie Pierre.

Sophie has dedicated 30 years to serving on the council of the St. Mary's Indian Band—now known as ʔaq'am—of the Ktunaxa Nation, including 26 years as elected chief.

From 2009 to 2015, she served as the chief commissioner of the B.C. Treaty Commission, a role to which she was appointed by agreement between the Governments of Canada and British Columbia, along with the First Nations Summit.

In recognition of her contributions, Sophie received the Order of British Columbia in 2002 and the Order of Canada in 2016 for "her role in the British Columbia treaty process and her commitment to the economic development of First Nations."

In our conversation, Sophie delves into the impact of colonial terms like "whitepaper," the essential contributions of Indigenous and marginalized voices to meaningful change, and the ongoing challenges institutions face in decolonizing language.

This conversation is part of our ongoing effort at WWEST UBC Okanagan to foster inclusivity and decolonization within STEM and beyond. Let’s keep reflecting, rethinking, and renaming for a more inclusive future.

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Visit wwest-cwse.ca to learn more about WWEST and to listen to other available episodes.

The momentum continues! Even though Rethinking Racialized Language Awareness Day on November 20th has passed, the conversation is far from over.

In this episode, we’re joined by Debbie Chaves, head of copyright and course reserves at Wilfrid Laurier University, who brings her deep expertise on the impact of words that have certain historical contexts, and how libraries are adapting database searches to incorporate more respectful language.

This is part of our ongoing effort at WWEST UBC Okanagan to foster inclusivity and decolonization within STEM and beyond. Let’s keep reflecting, rethinking, and renaming for a more inclusive future.

Listen to the Best of the WWEST on  Spotify, Apple, Google, Amazon, iHeart, Gaana, and Castbox

Visit wwest-cwse.ca to learn more about WWEST and to listen to other available episodes.

This episode kicks off the Westcoast Women in Engineering Science and Technology's 'Rethinking Racialized Language' campaign, launching on November 20, 2024.

Throughout the month, we’ll hear from panellists challenging colonial language, like the term 'whitepaper', as well as discuss ways to promote inclusive language within academia and beyond. 

Our first panellist to kick off the series is Serge Villemure. 

He is a former N-SERC Director for the Chairs for Women in Science and Engineering Program and is now an Equity Diversity and Inclusion consultant. He has spent years integrating EDI principles across policies and programs. From organizing Montreal’s Gender Summit 11 to advising organizations globally, he brings a deep commitment to making research and language more inclusive at every level.

In our conversation, we discussed how the kind of language we use shapes perceptions and can reinforce or break down systemic biases.

Listen to the Best of the WWEST on  Spotify, Apple, Google, Amazon, iHeart, Gaana, and Castbox

Visit wwest-cwse.ca to learn more about WWEST and to listen to other available episodes.

In this episode, we speak with Severine Pinte. 

She is a distinguished winemaker with a Master’s degree in viticulture and oenology from the National School of Agronomy in Montpellier, in southern France. 

With over 26 harvests of experience, she has worked in various wine regions. However, the Okanagan region and climate there have captivated her since 2010.

Severine is now the Executive Winemaker at Le Vieux Pin and LaStella wineries. 

 In this interview, we’ll discuss the science behind winemaking, the craft and passion involved, her connection to the land and the importance of sustainability in the wine industry.

Listen to the Best of the WWEST on  Spotify, Apple, Google, Amazon, iHeart, Gaana, and Castbox

Visit wwest-cwse.ca to learn more about WWEST and to listen to other available episodes.

In this episode, we speak with Hallee Fried, who, along with her husband Jeff, co-owns Farmstrong Cider Company, based in Armstrong, British Columbia.

But, her passion for working the land began long before she started cider-making. Agriculture and farming have been a part of her life for as long as she can remember.

In this interview, she shares her story of how and why she got into cider-making, and the labour of love that goes into the craft. 

She also talks about the challenges faced in the industry, including the impacts of climate change and labour shortages. 

Listen to the Best of the WWEST on  Spotify, Apple, Google, Amazon, iHeart, Gaana, and Castbox

Visit wwest-cwse.ca to learn more about WWEST and to listen to other available episodes.

In this episode, we speak with professor of Zoology at the University of British Columbia and the director of the Canadian Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Dr. Diane Srivastava. 

She also runs the Srivastava Community Ecology Lab where her team studies how ecological communities and food webs are structured, how they process energy, as well as how they respond to climate change and habitat loss.

In this interview, we'll hear about what inspired her curiosity to learn more about the way various species interact with each other, as well as the impact climate change has when researching and gathering data. 

Listen to the Best of the WWEST on  Spotify, Apple, Google, Amazon, iHeart, Gaana, and Castbox

Visit wwest-cwse.ca to learn more about WWEST and to listen to other available episodes.

In this episode, we speak with Canadian social scientist and professor at McMaster University. Dr. Ingrid Waldron. 

She is the founder of the ENRICH Project, which focuses on environmental racism and injustices in marginalized communities, particularly Indigenous and Black communities.

Dr. Waldron is the author of the book 'There’s Something in the Water',  which was adapted into a Netflix documentary in 2020.

In this interview, We'll hear from her about how her sociology background has helped her become a highly influential figure in Canada’s environmental sector.

Listen to the Best of the WWEST on Spotify, Apple, Google, Amazon, iHeart, Gaana, and Castbox

Visit wwest-cwse.ca to learn more about WWEST and to listen to other available episodes.

In this episode, we speak with former wildland firefighter Jen Beverly. She is currently an associate professor at the University of Alberta and leads the Wildfire Analytics research team, where she teaches and conducts research on wildfire science and management.

Jen talks about what drew her to firefighting and wildfire research in our conversation. She also discusses how climate change impacts researchers' ability to track trends and make forecasts.

Listen to the Best of the WWEST on Spotify, Apple, Google, Amazon, iHeart, Gaana, and Castbox

Visit wwest-cwse.ca to learn more about WWEST and to listen to other available episodes.