Life Raft Debate
2021 Life Raft Debate
Date: Thursday, Jan 21, 2021
Time: 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual Zoom event
Early registration bonus: Register by Jan 15 for your chance to win a $25 gift card to a local ice cream shop of your choice!
Space agencies have discovered an asteroid is on a collision course with planet Earth. In order to preserve humanity, a settlement has been developed on Mars.
Faculty debaters must put forth their proposal to the Interplanetary Council (the audience), to occupy the last seat on the last shuttle to Mars. Professors will each argue that their discipline is the one indispensable area of study that the new settlement will need to survive.
Each prof will argue that their discipline is the one indispensable area of study that the new settlement will need to survive — but it will be up to you to decide which one makes the best case.
Presented by the Society of Scholars with support from alumni UBC and the UBCO Ice Cream Club.
Debaters
Dr. Lesley Cormack
History and Sociology
Dr. Sandy Hilton
Management
Dr. Ray Taheri
Engineering
2020 Defending Champion
Dr. Sally Stewart
Health and Social Development
Dr. Robin Young
Biology
Devil’s Advocate
Dr. Bryce Traister
English
Host
Dr. Stephen McNeil
Chemistry
2019 Champion
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. Five 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.
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.
previous debates
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
