The genesis of HER was at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 2003, a university that is a global centre for teaching, learning and research, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. UBC embraces innovation and transforms ideas into action, and since 1915, UBC has been opening doors of opportunity for people with the curiosity, drive and vision to shape a better world.

The mission of the Department of Educational Studies (EDST) is to advance knowledge about critical issues facing education, educators, and learners in multiple contexts.  It strives to provide students with learning opportunities that are transformative and that support their life goals.  Through multi-disciplinary scholarship, teaching, service and our community engagement, it provides and  develops leadership to address complex issues throughout and within a wide variety of educational domains, including Indigenous education, life-long and life wide learning, K-12 contexts, educational policy and governance, higher education, and the cultural, historical, sociological, poitical, and philosophical foundations of education.

In pursuing its mission, students, faculty, and staff in EDST value equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, and social justice, support for Indigenous educational advancement and decolonization, respectful engagement with our community partners, criticality in our approach to educational orthodoxies, and integrity in our relationships.