You’re standing at the edge of discovery. Armed with a question that matters to you—and access to one of the richest library systems in Canada—you’re about to take your first deep dive into academic research. That’s exactly what the UBC Undergraduate Prize in Library Research celebrates: students who go beyond the basics, using the full scope of library resources to explore bold, innovative ideas.

Established in 2022 by Dr. Susan Parker, University Librarian, and Dr. Sabina Magliocco, Adjunct Professor of Anthropology, the prize aims to promote academic excellence, deepen information literacy and encourage innovative use of library services.

“We both have a deep appreciation for the role that libraries play as absolutely central to the university’s enterprise of teaching and learning,” says Dr. Magliocco. Dr. Parker adds that she is “always interested in making sure that students understand the importance of the library and their research.”

As co-founding donors, Drs. Parker and Magliocco saw an opportunity to lead by example—demonstrating their personal belief in the transformative power of research and the library’s role in shaping it. Their gift sends a clear message: supporting student curiosity today helps shape the knowledge and impact of tomorrow. It also affirms that undergraduates are not just learners—but researchers in their own right.

That philosophy is at the heart of the prize, which doesn’t reward students for simply downloading articles, but for creating projects that fully engage with the library as a learning ecosystem. The prize signals to students that they have the skills and potential to take their next big step—whether toward graduate study, professional pathways or a lifelong curiosity for discovery.

Second-year Faculty of Science student Ridhwanlai Badmos exemplifies this approach. His award-winning project, Investigating Suicide Rates Across Demographic Subgroups in the Muslim American Community using Technical Frameworks, emerged from both academic coursework and a personal connection to the topic, shaped by his identity as a Muslim and his past experiences with mental health challenges. He aimed for “community-orientated work where I felt like it’d be helping someone.”

“Ridhwanlai wanted a research project that spoke to his own subject position. One that he thought could make a difference,” says Dr. Tara Lee, his faculty sponsor from the UBC School of Journalism, Writing, and Media.

Ridhwanlai made full use of UBC Library’s expansive offerings—leveraging seamless access to journals, exploring different campus libraries, and immersing himself in varied environments for study and reflection. Winning the prize was a powerful moment of validation.

“Recognition feels very valuable in regards to highlighting the work that you’re doing,” he says. That recognition builds confidence—showing undergraduates that they belong in the world of research, that their voices matter, and that they are part of a larger academic “family tree” of knowledge and mentorship.

The award also plays a bigger role: it highlights the library as an active partner in student success. As Dr. Lee puts it, “Ultimately, these projects lead to real societal change. And it may seem small, but it’s actually huge in terms of the ripple effect that this kind of award could have.”

According to Dr. Magliocco, this early encouragement “can really inspire them to continue their research, to go on to graduate programs, to go on to maybe apply their research in scientific or corporate settings.” Dr. Parker adds that the prize helps spark lasting academic curiosity, “starting something in them that may become a lifelong interest and contribute to the production and communication of further knowledge.”

With further donor support, the Undergraduate Prize in Library Research could grow to reach even more students—offering recognition, mentorship and opportunity to explore big ideas and make meaningful contributions for a thriving society through research.

For students considering applying, Ridhwanlai has simple advice: “Research isn’t meant to be an exclusive club. If you have the passion and tenacity for a problem you want to solve, then there’s no better place to be than the university with all its resources.”