David J. Connell

David J. Connell is a Professor at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), affiliated with the School of Environmental Planning. His work bridges environmental planning, agricultural policy, and community sustainability, with a strong emphasis on farmland protection, local food systems, and the conservation of British Columbia’s inland rainforest ecosystems. He has led national and provincial research initiatives and is recognized for excellence in both research and teaching.

• University: University of Northern British Columbia
• School: School of Environmental Planning
• Academic Rank: Professor
• Email: david.connell@unbc.ca

Education and Professional Background: While specific educational credentials are not detailed in the provided texts, Dr. Connell’s extensive research, publications, and leadership in policy-oriented projects indicate a strong academic foundation in environmental planning, community development, and policy analysis. His professional experience includes work in business development, economic development, and nonprofit management, which he integrates into his teaching and research.

Research Interests: Dr. Connell’s research centers on agricultural land use planning, farmland protection, and the socio-economic dynamics of local food systems. He investigates how legislative frameworks at local, regional, provincial, and federal levels influence farmland conservation. He also explores the role of farmers markets in community economic development and the non-timber values of ancient cedar ecosystems in BC’s inland rainforest. His interdisciplinary approach combines social science, policy analysis, and environmental studies to promote sustainable community development.

Publication Trends: His recent publications focus on evaluating the strength of legislative frameworks for farmland protection across Canadian jurisdictions, analyzing federal policy roles, and assessing the quality of agricultural planning. He also contributes to understanding ecotourism, forest values, and the business models of farmers markets. His work is published in high-impact journals such as the Journal of Planning Education and Research, Canadian Planning and Policy, and Society and Natural Resources, reflecting a consistent scholarly trajectory in environmental and planning policy.

Scientific Awards:

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

Advising and Grants: Dr. Connell has supervised numerous graduate students in the Natural Resources and Environmental Studies program, focusing on topics such as farmland protection, food sovereignty, ecotourism, and beginner farming. His research has been supported by major funding bodies including SSHRC (Insight Grant), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and the Investment Agriculture Foundation of British Columbia. He has led projects on farmland policy integration, farmers market impacts, and the conservation of ancient forests, demonstrating strong grant acquisition and project management capabilities.

Labs and Research Teams: While no formal lab is mentioned, Dr. Connell leads a research program on Agricultural Land Use Planning and Farmland Protection, including collaborative work with the BC Association of Farmers Markets and government agencies. His work involves interdisciplinary teams and knowledge mobilization through workshops and policy briefs, contributing to practical outcomes in community planning and sustainability.