The Hour is Blue

The Blue Hour — July and August 2026 Schedule

The Blue Hour – Summer Conversations, July and August 2026

A live, in-studio interview series, at the University of British Columbia, featuring conversations this July 2026 on theoretical physics, museum practice, curatorial research, and Northwest Coast Indigenous art.

In August, the series turns first to energy and trade, followed by several weeks devoted to rock climbing, psychology, exercise, well-being, identity, and the relationship between indoor and outdoor climbing.

Tuesdays at 2 p.m.
Broadcast from CiTR 101.9 FM and streaming live at CiTR.ca


Tuesday, July 7

Dr. Philip Stamp

Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, UBC; Director, Pacific Institute of Theoretical Physics

Quantum mechanics, cosmology, and the conceptual foundations of modern physics, from the scientific revolution to unanswered questions at the frontiers of contemporary research.


Tuesday, July 14

Dr. Sonia Del Re

Senior Curator of Prints and Drawings, National Gallery of Canada

Prints, drawings, curatorial research, and the stewardship and interpretation of works on paper within a national collection.


Tuesday, July 21

Dr. Curtis Collins

Executive Director, Audain Art Museum, Whistler

Museum leadership, exhibitions, collecting, and the relationship between art historical research and curatorial practice.


Tuesday, July 28

Dr. Jennifer Kramer

Curator, Pacific Northwest, Museum of Anthropology, and Associate Professor of Anthropology, UBC

Northwest Coast Indigenous art, Nuxalk cultural knowledge, museum collections, and the evolving relationships between museums and Indigenous communities.


Tuesday, July 4

Dr. Werner Antweiler

Professor, UBC Sauder School of Business

Carbon pricing, electric vehicle adoption in Canada, and research on energy, trade, technology, and public policy.


Tuesday, August 11

Sophie Alexander

Master’s student, University of Victoria

Rock climbing as a social intervention, with a focus on identity change, exercise, well-being, behaviour change, and how climbing may become part of a person’s everyday sense of self.


Tuesday, August 18

Dr. Patrick Boudreau

Postdoctoral Fellow, Concordia University

Indoor and outdoor climbing, adventure recreation, nature-based physical activity, and the psychological differences between climbing environments.


Tuesday, August 25

Local Women Climbers — Guests TBC

A conversation with local women climbers about outdoor climbing, community, confidence, friendship, fear, joy, and what keeps them returning to the rock.


Recent past interviews, podcasts, and selected transcripts can be found on The hour is blue blog.

The Blue Hour Returns on CiTR 101.9 FM - May and June 2026


From years past, episodes of The Blue Hour: