Lael Parrott

Dr. Lael Parrott is a Professor in Sustainability and Dean pro tem of the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan campus. She leads research in complex human-environment systems, focusing on landscape management, ecological resilience, and sustainable land-use planning. Her work integrates multi-disciplinary approaches to address 'wicked' environmental problems, emphasizing stakeholder collaboration and policy-relevant outcomes.

Dr. Parrott holds a PhD in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering from McGill University (2000). Her academic experience includes roles as Director of the BRAES Institute (2013–2023), Associate Dean positions, and prior faculty roles at Université de Montréal. She has secured over $24M in research funding and published 150+ peer-reviewed works.

Her research spans ecosystem services valuation, wildlife corridor design (e.g., Okanagan Valley), and innovative solutions for marine mammal conservation (e.g., St. Lawrence Estuary whale management). She is a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society (2019) and has been recognized as a 'Mover and Shaker' in Quebec (2009).

Teaching includes courses on complex adaptive systems, environmental sustainability, and dynamic modelling. Current projects focus on Indigenous climate resilience, functional connectivity of ecosystems, and cumulative effects assessments. She advises on conservation initiatives through roles with the Alpine Club of Canada and the Okanagan Basin Water Board.

Dr. Parrott’s lab, the Complex Environmental Systems Lab, emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and real-world impact. Key outputs include the State of the Mountains Report and decision-support systems for sustainable land-use planning.