Life Raft Debate
About the Life Raft Debate
In the annual UBCO Society of Scholars Life Raft Debate, we imagine that a catastrophic event has wiped out most of humanity and the survivors (the audience) must sail off to rebuild society.
Only one final seat remains on the life raft. Invited professors will each argue that their discipline is the one indispensable area of study that the new civilization will need to survive.
Finally, one professor will take on the role of devil’s advocate and argue that the survivors should actually choose no one and that their new society will be better off without a professor aboard.
You and the audience decide who, if anyone, gets to take that final seat on the life raft.
If you are interested in being a part of the Life Raft Debate or you have a suggestion for a debater for next year’s event, please contact us at scholars.ok@ubc.ca.
2023 Life Raft Debate
Crash Landing Edition
Date: Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Time: 7 pm
Location: COM 201 and over Zoom
Debaters in this year’s Life Raft Debate have crash-landed on a tropical deserted island. Recognizing the necessity for governance in their new home, the survivors hold an election to determine who will become their leader and last hope.
This is their chance to campaign as the new leader of the island. With all the resources provided to stay alive, the chosen one must take on the challenge of forming a new and sustainable culture if escape proves futile.
Using their disciplinary background, the chosen one must run the new Council of Creation that will guide the survivors to new heights of thinking, aesthetics, and artistic production until help arrives to take them back home… one day.
Presented by the Society of Scholars.
Opening remarks
Dr. Lesley Cormack | 2021 Debater
Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal
Debaters
Dr. Alon Eisenstein
Engineering
Dr. Jordan Stouck
English
Dr. Renaud-Philippe Garner
Philosophy
host
Dr. Greg Garrard | 2022 Winner
English
Devil’s advocate
Dr. Matthew Nelson
Biology
Winner
2023 Champion: Dr. Matthew Nelson
Previous debates
2022 Life Raft Debate
Time Traveller Edition
Debaters
Dr. Tamara Freeman
Chemistry
Dr. Liane Gabora
Psychology
Dr. Vicki Komisar
Engineering
Michael V. Smith
Creative Writing
Tamara Ebl
Management
Devil’s Advocate
Dr. Greg Garrard
English
Host
Dr. Robin Young
Biology
2021 Debater
Winner
2022 Champion: Dr. Greg Garrard
2021 Life Raft Debate
Escape to Mars Edition
Debaters
Dr. Lesley Cormack
Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal
Dr. Greg duManoir
Health and Exercise Sciences
Dr. Sandy Hilton
Management
Dr. Ray Taheri
Engineering
2020 Defending Champion
Dr. Robin Young
Biology
Devil’s Advocate
Dr. Bryce Traister
English
Host
Dr. Stephen McNeil
Chemistry
2019 Champion
Winner
2021 Champion: Dr. Ray Taheri
2020 Life Raft Debate
Zombie Apocalypse Edition
Debaters
Dr. Deborah Buszard
University Administration
Dr. Greg duManoir
Human Kinetics
Dr. Stephen McNeil
Chemistry
2019 Defending Champion
Dr. Ray Taheri
Engineering
Dr. Bryce Traister
English
Devil’s Advocate
Dr. Jan Cioe
Psychology
Host
Dr. Peter Arthur
Education
Winner
2020 Champion: Dr. Ray Taheri
2019 Life Raft Debate
Debaters
Dr. Denise Kenney
Theatre
Dr. Stephen McNeil
Chemistry
Dr. Christine Schreyer
Anthropology
Dr. Ray Taheri
Engineering
Dr. Michael Woodworth
Psychology
Devil’s Advocate
Dr. Marianne Legault
Languages and World Literatures
Host
Dr. Peter Arthur
Education
2019 Champion: Dr. Stephen McNeil