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
Fredj, Dr. Karima
PhD, MSc, BSc
Research and Expertise
Smith, Dr. Heather
PhD & MA (Queen's University) BA (University of Alberta)
Research and Expertise
Faculty
Daoust, Dr. Gabrielle
PhD (University of Sussex, UK), MSW (University of Calgary)
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...
Freylejer, Dr. Leandro
PhD Economics (University of Toronto); MA Economics (Queen's University); BA Economics (University of Manitoba)
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)
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)
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...
Kelly, Dr. Liam
PhD, MSc - Food, Agricultural, and Resource Economics (University of Guelph); BSc - Economics (University of Victoria)
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...
Pawlowska-Mainville, Dr. Agnieszka (Agnes)
BA, MA, PhD
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...
Pearce, Dr. Tristan
PhD University of Guelph; MA University of Guelph; BA University of Northern British Columbia
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...
Safaei, Dr. Jalil
PhD (University of Manitoba), MA, BA (University of Shiraz)
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...
Wilson, Dr. Gary
PhD Political Science, MA Russian and East European Studies (University of Toronto), BA Hons. Political Science (Carleton)
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...
Professors Emeriti
MacPhail, Dr. Fiona
PhD (Dalhousie University); MA (University of Guelph); MA (University of Sussex); BA Hons (University of Guelph)
Research and Expertise
Opio, Dr. Christopher
BScF (University of New Brunswick), MEDes (University of Calgary), PhD (University of Alberta)