Is there a natural conflict between teaching and research at a large, research-intensive university like UBC?
Every major research-intensive university has a challenge in figuring out how to link the research effort to student learning, especially at the undergraduate level. All big universities must admit that we haven’t always done the best possible job in valuing and inspiring our undergraduates. My own teaching experience tells me, though, that there is no “conflict” between teaching and research. In my first year or two of teaching, I always felt that I was just a day or two ahead of my students; my resources were pretty thin. But as I delved into my subjects through research, I could draw on analogies, parallels and critical appreciations that made me a better and more interesting teacher. And the process of learning is mutual. Every professor worth his or her salt will tell you that it is more fun to teach strong students because they inevitably challenge a professor to learn more. That is why we are so lucky at UBC to attract exceptional students. Trek 2010 talks about global citizensh
