Faculty

We are active researchers in diverse International Studies related academic fields, including International Studies, Economics, Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Forest Ecology and Management, History, and Women’s and Gender Studies. This enables us to offer graduate students a wealth of supervisory expertise and international experiences. In recent years, we have conducted and published research on economic development, political and environmental issues covering the following areas/regions:

  • International and global level (Kyoto Protocol, World Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund, etc.);
  • Asia-Pacific region (China, Japan, Philippines, Cambodia, India, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan);
  • The Americas (Guatemala, Mexico, Argentina);
  • Africa (Zambia, Botswana);
  • Russia;
  • The Arctic, and;
  • Northern British Columbia.

We are involved in major international research projects supported by grants from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)  and International Development Research Centre (IDRC).  In addition, we have considerable practical, real-world experience in economic development policy and human rights advocacy through our work/consultations with for human rights NGOs, the Reserve Bank of India, the World Bank, World Trade Organization, Asian Development Bank, and the United Nations system. Students will find that we are committed to mentoring inside and outside the classroom.


Co-Chairs

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Fredj, Dr. Karima

PhD, MSc, BSc

Associate Professor, School of Economics
Chair, School of Economics
Co-Chair, International Studies Graduate Program
Phone
250-960-6686

Research and Expertise

Areas of Expertise
Environment, Natural Resource Management, Industrial Organization, Game Theory, Optimal Control Theory
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Smith, Dr. Heather

PhD & MA (Queen's University) BA (University of Alberta)

Acting Chair, Global and International Studies
Professor
Office
ADM 3080

Research and Expertise

Areas of Expertise
Gender and Canadian foreign policy, students as partners
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Faculty

Daoust, Dr. Gabrielle

PhD (University of Sussex, UK), MSW (University of Calgary)

Assistant Professor
Graduate Chair (International Studies)
Phone
250-960-6015
Office
ADMIN 3006

Biography

I joined UNBC’s Department of Global and International Studies in 2022. My research broadly examines relationships between and responses to environmental and climate change, water, and insecurity; changing forms, spaces, politics, and experiences of humanitarian...

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Freylejer, Dr. Leandro

PhD Economics (University of Toronto); MA Economics (Queen's University); BA Economics (University of Manitoba)

Assistant Professor
Phone
250-960-5302
Office
10-4536

Biography

Before joining UNBC, Dr. Freylejer taught at the University of Toronto and was a researcher on an SSHRC/CURA-funded research project focused on living standards.

Dr. Freylejer teaches ECON 498/698 Special Topics: International Macroeconomics and ECON...

Holler, Dr. Jacqueline

PhD (Emory), MA, BA (Simon Fraser University)

Professor
Phone
250-960-6343
Office
CJMH-3003

Biography

Dr. Jacqueline Holler is an historian of early colonial Mexico who also teaches contemporary Latin American history and teaches and conducts research in the area of Gender Studies. She is author and co-author of books...

K C, Dr. Luna

PhD, MA (Wageningen University)

Assistant Professor
Office
CJMH-3005

Biography

Hello, my name is Luna K C; I’m an Assistant Professor in Global International Studies at the Faculty of Indigenous Studies, Social Sciences and Humanities. Prior to my current role, I was a Postdoctoral Researcher...

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Kelly, Dr. Liam

PhD, MSc - Food, Agricultural, and Resource Economics (University of Guelph); BSc - Economics (University of Victoria)

Assistant Professor (on leave)
Phone
250-960-6489
Office
10-4564

Biography

Dr. Kelly joined the Department of Economics at UNBC in September 2020. Prior to starting at UNBC, he completed a PhD and MSc in Food, Agricultural, and Resource Economics at the University of Guelph, as...

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LaTosky, Dr. Shauna

Phone
250-960-5641
Office
ADM 3070
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Pawlowska-Mainville, Dr. Agnieszka (Agnes)

BA, MA, PhD

Associate Professor
Phone
250-960-5434

Biography

Agnieszka (Agnes) Pawlowska-Mainville is an Associate Professor in First Nations Studies at the University of Northern British Columbia. She examines intangible cultural heritage within land-based practices such as customary governance, sustainable livelihoods, food systems, folklore...

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Pearce, Dr. Tristan

PhD University of Guelph; MA University of Guelph; BA University of Northern British Columbia

Associate Professor, Geography
Canada Research Chair in Cumulative Impacts of Environmental Change
Program Coordinator, Northern Studies
Phone
250-960-5766
Office
8-138

Biography

Tristan Pearce is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences at the University of Northern British Columbia, where he is also the Canada Research Chair in the Cumulative Impacts of...

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Safaei, Dr. Jalil

PhD (University of Manitoba), MA, BA (University of Shiraz)

Professor (on sabbatical)
Phone
250-960-6698
Office
10-4514

Biography

Dr. Safaei's main research is on social determinants of health, political economy of health and healthcare, social policy and welfare systems, health inequity and human rights. His research interests spread to macroeconomics and the chronic...

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Smith, Angele

Associate Professor
Chair, Anthropology
Phone
250-960-6492
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Wilson, Dr. Gary

PhD Political Science, MA Russian and East European Studies (University of Toronto), BA Hons. Political Science (Carleton)

Professor
Phone
250-960-5514

Biography

Gary N. Wilson is a Professor in the Department of Political Science. He is also the Coordinator of the Northern Studies Program. His research focuses on governance and politics in the Canadian and Circumpolar North...

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Professors Emeriti

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Bowles, Dr. Paul

PhD, MA, BSc

Professor Emeritus
Phone
250-960-6648
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MacPhail, Dr. Fiona

PhD (Dalhousie University); MA (University of Guelph); MA (University of Sussex); BA Hons (University of Guelph)

Professor Emerita
Phone
250-960-6660
Office
CJMH-3055

Research and Expertise

Areas of Expertise
Paid and unpaid work, gender, and public policy; poverty and inequalities; resource extraction and just transition alternatives; precarious work and the gig economy.
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Opio, Dr. Christopher

BScF (University of New Brunswick), MEDes (University of Calgary), PhD (University of Alberta)

Professor Emeritus

Research and Expertise

Areas of Expertise
Forestry (silviculture, height to diameter ratio), agroforestry (reclamation, sheep vegetation management), use of moringa tree to purify drinking water, water well management in rural Africa