MEET YOUR CURRENT UADS EXECUTIVE
KAREL BRANDENBARG
President
Karel is a 5th year Honors Political Science student with a double minor in Philosophy and Economics. With no experience in debate before coming to University, Karel found the Debate Society through a poster on campus. He decided to give it a try, and it became the best part of his time at university.
Karel enjoys debating about topics outside his field of studies, he particularly loves debate motions about Art (and also Monetary Policy - yeah, ask him about it). However, he can claim with certainty that the debate topic closest to his heart is a motion to ‘Clone Harambe’ (yes this is true). When Karel isn't debating he loves getting outside to hike, bike and swim. He is a movie buff and has seen all the best picture nominees at the last three Oscars (he warns you against trying to win a movie industry debate against him).
KEN TIEU
VP Executive
Ken is in the third year of his Political Science degree. Ken joined the Debate Society thinking it was the same club that the kids in ‘Spiderman: Homecoming’ were a part of (they weren’t - that was more like Trivia), but he has absolutely enjoyed debate since joining.
Ken’s interests in debate lie outside the realms of mainstream economics and international relations. Instead, he loves debates about Pop Culture, where he has a wealth of knowledge. In his free time, Ken enjoys Rap Music, Sports, Manga, and Video Games. Ken understands that debate can be a scary and intimidating activity, and he would love to help out anyone who faces these fears (as he so rightly claims “We have all been novices once.”).
ROISIN GRAHAM
VP Finance
Roisin is a third-year student pursuing a double major in WGS and Philosophy. Having participated in high school debates, Roisin joined the Debate Society in her very first year of university. She joined hoping to make new friends and get involved on campus, but now she finds herself addicted to it.
Roisin enjoys debating about Social Justice and the Environment, but her “peak” debate motion is about regretting debate (regrettably). While debating seems scary at first, she urges new members to try it out. In the end, debate is really about learning and growth.
LOCHLANN KERR
VP External
Lochlann is a third-year Political Science and Economics student. After three years of debating at high school tournaments, he had little to think about before joining the Debate Society in his first year at university. Debating with the club far exceeded his expectations and turned out to be the best part of his first two years at university.
Lochlann loves to debate about International Relations, where he enjoys talking about the UN, International Law, and various countries. When he isn't intensely debating on the weekend, you can find Lochlann biking or wandering around one of the many bird sanctuaries around Edmonton, trying to photograph pretty birds (the prettiest ones he's photographed till date are magpies and pigeons).
VIVEK GALA
VP Internal
Vivek is a second-year Honors Economics student. He has been passionate about public speaking since high school, and participated mostly in Model United Nations. He joined the Debate Society only because there was no Model UN club at the University (he will deny this and tell you another story but don't believe him). However, debate ended up becoming the best part of his first-year experience.
Vivek enjoys debating about Economics (which he claims he’s not good at), International Relations, and International Politics; but his favorite area of debate is Fiction, where he enjoys debating about fictional characters like Godzilla. When not arguing, playing music, or watching football (the real football), you will find Vivek lost in an existential debate with himself.
BEN SUGARS
VP Training
Ben is a 4th-year Political Science student. He first joined the debate society in 2014 on a friend’s recommendation, and after a short break from university, he rejoined again in 2018 with new enthusiasm and energy. He never participated in high school debate, but he has always enjoyed competitive activities where he could outwit his opponents. That is what built his interest in debate.
Ben relishes the opportunity to debate about almost everything (except pop culture, which he claims he does not follow whatsoever), and over the years he has built a vast bank of knowledge about debate that is unparalleled and extremely impressive! (which he is excited to share with you as your VP Training). Outside debate Ben is presently addicted to a new board game “Amazons”; which is a combination of Chess and Go (he is looking forward to playing it with you).
JEREMY CHRISTOPHERSON
VP Bilingual
Jeremy is in his second year of Mining Engineering, a field that he believes will not give him any advantage when debating about the pros and cons of certain Hot Dog condiments (yeah, we debate that sometimes). Coming from a small town with limited opportunities to get into debate, Jeremy was excited and looking forward to getting involved in it at university. He enjoys debate because it stimulates thinking, improves analytical and reasoning skills, and forces everyone to look at multi-dimensional issues from a broader perspective (this is just a cover story for the true benefit of debate - a distraction from Calculus homework).
Jeremy loves to debate about Economics, Politics, and International Relations; he would also love to debate about basketball if anybody would indulge him.
ASHWINI GADTOULA
High School Outreach
Ashwini is taking her third year of Political Sciences with a side dish of Economics. She was introduced to debate by another member of the club. Having no prior experience with debate, she anxiously participated in a tournament after only attending two meetings. As scary as that sounds, she thoroughly enjoyed the tournament and the debate meetings after that.
She is too indecisive to pick one favourite topic to debate, especially because you can really debate about almost anything. If you are new to debate, Ashwini suggests you look at it as a ‘glorified conversation.’ Behind the competitiveness, she believes debate can be unpacked as a timed and structured conversation with other people, where you are simply trying to convince them of something. She hopes this helps any new debaters feeling nervous!