Téo Ardanaz, applauding the crowd during his senior’s night ceremony (February 2024)
Program
Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies – Power, Conflict, and Ideas Theme
Research Supervisor
Dr. Maxime Héroux-Legalut
Hometown
Tsawwassen, BC, Canada
Awards
- UBC Okanagan Men’s Volleyball Scholarship
- UBC Okanagan Student Leadership and Involvement Award
- UBC Okanagan Graduating Athlete of the Year
- Graduate Dean’s Entrance Scholarship
- Mission Group Build It Forward Athletic Award
- 5 Time U Sports Academic All-Canadian
- 5 Time Dean’s List Honouree
- UBCO Top 8 Academic All-Canadian Nominee
- UBC Presidential Scholars Award and Scholarship
What inspires you about your research?
My thesis research is driven by one central question: are linguistic minority voters in Canada impacted by their local linguistic context? The inspiration for this research comes largely from my family background. I am the great-grandson of immigrants arriving from Spain, and the grandson of an immigrant from Germany. Both my grandfather and my father were born in Montreal, and grew up speaking French, Spanish, and eventually English. I was raised in a multilingual household, and went to school in British Columbia’s all-French school district, the Conseil Scolaire Francophone. The influence of this background of linguistic minority speaking identity has always been at play in my research pursuits. Upon enrolling in the Philosophy, Politics, and Economics program during my undergrad at UBCO, I quickly saw how my ethnic and linguistic heritage could intersect with my larger interest in social, economic, and political forces.
I enjoy my research, as it aims to inform the political and sociological standing of Canada’s ever-evolving landscape. My thesis employs data from the 2019 Canadian Election Study to conduct a binary logistic regression examining linguistic minority voter behaviour. My research creates several new variables using Census data to examine the impact of local context on the vote. While most work focuses on individual-level determinants of the vote, the added level of analysis used in my thesis aims to generate a better understanding of how individual and contextual characteristics interact to produce the voting decision. This study also includes contributions from outside of political science, to craft hypotheses backed by sociological and psychological theory. This interdisciplinary approach allows me to examine the abilities of group contact, group threat, and group identity theories to explain the voting behaviour of linguistic minorities in Canada.
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
I always had a passion for learning, and a deep interest in conducting my own research. I also developed a great relationship with my current master’s supervisor during my undergraduate self-directed thesis course. As a result, it seemed like a perfect fit. In addition, I held two remaining years of eligibility to play on the UBCO men’s volleyball team. This joint desire to pursue another degree and continue my athletic pursuits fuelled my decision.
What was it like to participate in student athletics alongside your graduate degree?
Participating in athletics was one of the greatest experiences of my life! I was able to combine my passion for learning with my passion for competition (and the sport of volleyball). Representing the Heat was a tremendous honour, and something that I will cherish for a very long time. I made lifelong friends, travelled all around Canada, played in front of some amazing crowds, and had a ton of fun. Being a member of the Heat also allowed me to engage with the larger Okanagan community. I helped with fundraisers such as Movember and our Heat Pride Night, which raised funds for the local 2SLGBTQIA+ group Etcetera; community initiatives securing Heat volunteers for the Central Okanagan Food Bank, the Coldest Night of the Year campaign against homelessness, as well as the UBCO Motion Ball fundraiser for Special Olympics Canada; and organizing athlete socials. I also served as the representative for the entire student-athlete body on the Canada West Student-Athlete Engagement Committee, which allowed me to meet some incredible student-athletes from other universities.
What has been your most memorable experience at UBCO?
That is a tough one! I would have to say my Senior’s Night with the Heat (my last home game as a Heat athlete). It was truly special to be able to have my parents, brother, and grandparents there to cheer us on, and to share in my last game in the Furnace. They have always supported me through the ups and downs of all my seasons here, so to be able to share that night with them was incredible. I also had a ton of friends in the crowd, and really felt supported by everyone around me. All in all, it was something that I will never forget!