Greg Halseth

Greg Halseth is a Professor in the Geography Program at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), where he holds the Tier I Canada Research Chair in Rural and Small Town Studies and serves as Co-Director of the UNBC Community Development Institute. He is affiliated with the Department of Geography within the School of Geography, Earth, and Environmental Sciences and supervises graduate students in the Natural Resources and Environmental Studies (NRES) program.

His research focuses on regional development, rural and small-town community development, and community resilience in the face of social and economic change, particularly in northern British Columbia’s resource-dependent communities. His work spans themes such as long-distance labour commuting, population aging, municipal entrepreneurialism, service sustainability, poverty, and governance. He leads and collaborates on numerous national and international research projects, including the On the Move Partnership and the Rural Policy Learning Commons.

His recent publications reflect a strong interdisciplinary trend, appearing in journals across geography, rural studies, policy, environmental science, and social work. The research consistently emphasizes community engagement, policy relevance, and the interplay between local agency and broader structural forces.

Scientific Awards and Recognitions:

• Canada Research Chair in Rural and Small Town Studies (Tier I)

Advising and Grants: Greg Halseth supervises PhD and MA students in the NRES program and has led major research initiatives funded by SSHRC, the Canada Research Chairs program, and other agencies. He has served on the governing council of SSHRC and advised federal and provincial governments on rural policy. His research teams have produced extensive reports on municipal reform, shared services, labour mobility, and community transition.

Labs and Teams: He leads the CRC research team on Rural and Small Town Studies and co-directs the Community Development Institute at UNBC. He collaborates with the Canadian Rural Research Network, the On the Move Partnership, and international researchers in Australia, Finland, Norway, and Sweden.