Sean Markey

Sean Markey is a Professor and registered professional planner at the School of Resource and Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University. He specializes in local/regional economic development, rural sustainability, and infrastructure planning. His work bridges academic research with practical applications, focusing on Indigenous communities, municipalities, and non-profits.

Education:

• BA in Political Science, UBC
• Master of Environmental Studies (MES), York University
• PhD in Economic Geography, SFU
• Member of the Canadian Institute of Planners (MCIP) and Registered Professional Planner (RPP)

Research Interests: Sean's research explores sustainable development in resource-dependent regions, community-based approaches to planning, and Indigenous sovereignty in development contexts. He emphasizes policy coherence and multi-level governance frameworks to address rural challenges.

Key Projects:

• Xwe’etay/Lasqueti Archaeology Project (collaborative Indigenous heritage research)
• Community Benefits and Impact Assessment Lab
• State of Rural Canada initiative
• Rural Policy Learning Commons

Grants & Collaborations: Sean collaborates with government, NGOs, and First Nations on projects funded by SSHRC, NSERC, and provincial agencies. His work prioritizes participatory methods and long-term community impacts.

Labs/Teams: He leads the School of Resource and Environmental Management’s interdisciplinary teams, focusing on policy, planning, and environmental justice. Active in the Community Development Institute and Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation.