David Connell

David Connell is an Associate Professor at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) within the Faculty of Environment and Ecosystem Science and Management Department. He is a leading expert in agricultural land use planning and farmland protection, with a focus on policy analysis across Canadian jurisdictions.

• Awarded UNBC Award of Excellence in Research (2017)
• Awarded UNBC Award of Excellence in Teaching (2014)

His research interests span: agricultural land use planning, local food systems (farmers markets, food hubs), community development (eco-villages, co-housing), and applications of Luhmann's social theory. He also investigates non-timber forest values in BC's inland rainforest, including ecotourism potential of ancient cedars.

Recent publications highlight his work in legislative frameworks for farmland protection and community-based planning. His research examines policy integration across municipal, regional, and federal levels, with a focus on Canada's agri-food systems.

As an educator, he supervises graduate students in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies (NRES) and teaches courses like Land Use Planning, Rural Community Economic Development, and Food, Agriculture, and Society. His teaching emphasizes student-centered learning and interdisciplinary approaches.