Gary Wilson

Gary Wilson is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Political Science at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), within the Faculty of Indigenous Studies, Social Sciences and Humanities. He is also the Academic Co-Director of the University of the Arctic's Læra Institute for Circumpolar Education, reflecting his leadership in northern and Indigenous education. His research spans Arctic governance, Indigenous-state relations, northern development, and language revitalization in small island regions.

• PhD, University of Toronto
• MA, University of Toronto
• BA Honours, Carleton University

Dr. Wilson’s research focuses on the resilience of northern and island communities in the face of globalization. He examines Indigenous self-determination, ethnofederalism, and governance in the Canadian Arctic and the Russian Federation, as well as language preservation in places like the Isle of Man, Jersey, and Guernsey. His work also addresses the socio-environmental impacts of extractive industries and the branding of small islands.

His recent publications reveal a strong trend in comparative Indigenous governance, Arctic geopolitics, and cultural sustainability. He frequently publishes in top-tier journals such as Canadian Journal of Political Science, The Polar Journal, and The Extractive Industries and Society, often in collaboration with leading scholars in northern and Indigenous studies.

Scientific recognition includes being shortlisted for the John McMenemy Prize for best paper in the Canadian Journal of Political Science in 2012. His editorial roles in major volumes with UBC Press and Springer highlight his influence in the field.

Dr. Wilson actively supervises graduate students in Political Science (MA), Northern and Rural Studies (PhD), and International Studies. He has led or contributed to significant research projects on northern governance, Indigenous research ethics, and circumpolar sustainability. His collaborations with scholars across Canada, Norway, and the UK demonstrate a robust international research network.

He is affiliated with the Læra Institute for Circumpolar Education and contributes to interdisciplinary research teams focused on northern and Indigenous issues at UNBC. His work supports community-based and policy-relevant scholarship aimed at empowering northern and Indigenous communities.