COPE is an international research project bringing together teams across Canada, the United Kingdom, Israel, and Hong Kong. From October 13–18 2026, Dr. Atiya Mahmood, Co-PI of COPE-Engage, and PhD student Letitia Zhu joined fellow Vancouver team members and international colleagues for a writing retreat in a remote, scenic part of British Columbia.
The retreat provided dedicated time to advance manuscripts, work on data preparation and analysis, and discuss the project’s next steps. Team members made progress on individual and shared research goals, while in-person conversations helped clarify research directions, exchange cross-cultural perspectives, and generate ideas for future collaboration. For doctoral students and early-career researchers, the week also offered valuable opportunities to learn from experienced colleagues and discuss their research and career aspirations. Shared meals, nature walks, and unhurried conversations strengthened relationships and created space to recharge.
As Letitia reflected: “This retreat was a lovely opportunity to finally meet international team members I had previously only seen on Zoom and to learn from the insights and experiences of different COPE sites. Revisiting the COPE-Engage data nearly a year after data collection, I was still finding unexpected connections and ideas, including links with our SWAN-Climate work. The quiet surroundings made it easier to focus, and, as a PhD student, I especially valued the chance to have meaningful conversations with professors about career plans and possibilities for the future. It was also my first time travelling this far into BC. Along the way, we passed expansive lakes, snow-capped mountains, and forests. I came away with fresh perspectives, stronger connections, and plenty of photos of the beautiful scenery, as well as fond memories of the wonderful food!”
A heartfelt thank you to COPE Principal Investigator Dr. Theresa Pauly, and Dr. Victoria Michalowski for organizing such a thoughtful and rewarding retreat. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the experience and appreciated the care that went into creating a welcoming space for focused work, meaningful conversations, and time to recharge.
Learn about the COPE Project
