Hugo Asselin

Hugo Asselin is a Full Professor at the School of Indigenous Studies at Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT). He serves as Director of the School of Indigenous Studies, Director of Customized Graduate Programs, and Director of both the Abitibi-Témiscamingue Observatory and the James Bay Observatory. Since February 2020, he has held the Desjardins Chair in Small Community Development, and previously held the Canada Research Chair in Aboriginal Forestry from 2008 to 2018.

Dr. Asselin has extensive involvement in academic and professional organizations, serving on numerous committees and editorial boards. His work bridges academic research with practical community applications, particularly in Indigenous contexts. His educational background includes a PhD in Biology from Université Laval (2005), a Master's in Biological Sciences from the University of Montreal (1999), and a Bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Sherbrooke (1997).

His research focuses on Indigenous studies, Aboriginal forestry, community development, and boreal ecology. He explores the intersection of Indigenous knowledge systems with contemporary environmental and economic challenges, particularly examining how human activities impact nature and how Indigenous communities interact with and manage natural resources. His work often involves collaboration with Indigenous communities in northwestern Québec.

Dr. Asselin's recent publications analyze the potential of the Indigenous economy to address Canada's economic challenges, as well as the invisible effects of human activities on boreal flora and their implications for Indigenous communities that rely on traditional plant knowledge. His 2025 articles highlight how Indigenous economic participation could boost Canada's GDP by over $60 billion annually.

• Prix d'excellence de l'Université du Québec en recherche (2019)
• Prix Acfas Jacques-Rousseau (2020)

Dr. Asselin actively collaborates with Indigenous communities, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. His leadership extends to various observatories and research initiatives focused on community development and Indigenous knowledge systems. He has served on numerous editorial boards including as Thematic Editor for FACETS and Guest Editor for Botany, demonstrating his commitment to advancing research in his fields of expertise.