Blog > The UBC Research Lounge: A Place to Learn & Connect
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Over the course of the Fall of 2024, the UBC Career Centre has been focused on developing tailored career programming for students with disabilities and Black students. These initiatives, while distinct in their focus on different student populations, share a common framework: conducting research to identify best practices for supporting these students and designing pilot programs to test new approaches. The result of these projects so far has been the creation of mentorship programs, connecting students with industry and academic professionals, and bringing diverse voices to students as they explore their own possibilities. To ensure that these programs are truly responsive to student needs, we hired four student researchers—two for each project—to provide direct insights and perspectives from the student experience.
As the students became involved, a critical question emerged: how can we create a space where students can share their learnings, exchange ideas, connect with senior leaders, and support each other in their research journey? This question led to the creation of the Research Lounge—a weekly, one-hour gathering designed to provide students with a dedicated space to connect, learn from each other, and engage with staff.
The primary goal of the Research Lounge is to promote peer learning among students working on related but distinct projects. The Black Student Career Development Program and Students with Disabilities Program both aim to create inclusive career development opportunities, but they focus on different student groups. The Lounge provides a space for students to share their research findings, discuss ideas, and learn from one another’s experiences.
This cross-project collaboration is particularly valuable because it encourages students to consider the intersectionality of identity—such as how race and disability can compound barriers to career development. Through these exchanges, students enrich their own research and contribute to more inclusive solutions.
A vital aspect of the Research Lounge is its ability to connect students with senior leadership. In typical research settings, students may have limited opportunities to engage with staff beyond their project’s immediate supervisors. The Lounge provides a unique platform for students to interact with senior leaders, providing them with the opportunity to learn from their experiences in program development.
This interaction is a two-way street—senior leadership also benefits from hearing feedback directly from students, which helps ensure that the programs remain student-centered and responsive to actual needs. The feedback shared in the Research Lounge provides senior staff with valuable insights, which they can use to refine the programs and make them more effective in the future.
In addition to serving as a space for dialogue and connection, the Research Lounge also functions as a skills lab, where students can refine their research tools, learn methodologies, and acquire skills that might not have been taught during their degree experience.
The Research Lounge helps students in building confidence and competence in conducting research, which they can use to succeed both during their time at UBC and as they move into their future careers.
The Research Lounge emphasizes the importance of physical spaces in facilitating meaningful learning experiences for students. While online communication often dominates today’s work environments, bringing students together in a shared, physical space fosters richer collaboration and connection. The Research Lounge isn’t just a meeting room—it’s a dynamic, supportive environment where students can reflect on their work, build relationships, and grow as both researchers and individuals.
The creation of the Research Lounge highlights the value of collaborative spaces in supporting student staff. As you hire students into various roles, consider how you can create similar spaces that foster collaboration, skill development, and meaningful connections in their early professional experiences. By doing so, you can help students thrive in their work, feel supported throughout their learning journey, and ensure they make the most of their experience.
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Shabnam Khalaj, MA (she/her)
Educator, Career & Professional Development
UBC Career Centre
Shabnam Khalaj is a policy analyst turned career educator with an MA in Economics. She has prior experience working with environmental think tanks and management consulting firms before transitioning to higher education. Drawing on both of these backgrounds, her work integrates systems and stories to help students navigate complex structures and achieve their goals. She also designs initiatives to make university systems more inclusive and accessible. Currently, Shabnam focuses on developing career development programs for students from historically, persistently, or systemically marginalized groups, with an emphasis on Black and international students at UBC.