Mark Groulx

Mark Groulx is an Associate Professor in the School of Planning and Sustainability at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), where he is also a Registered Professional Planner. His work bridges academic research and community practice, focusing on sustainable and resilient community development through inclusive planning processes.

His research centers on sustainable and resilient communities, with an emphasis on community engagement, placemaking, and collaborative planning. He investigates how local knowledge and values shape person-centered planning and design, particularly in northern and nature-based contexts. Additional interests include low-carbon resilient communities, landscape perception and design, environmental visualization, and tourism visitor experience. He also explores the role of nature-based citizen science in transformative environmental learning.

The recent publications reflect a strong trend in community-based, interdisciplinary research focused on sustainability, accessibility, and climate action. His work frequently involves partnerships across academia, government, and non-profit sectors, particularly through the Nature for All project, which promotes inclusive access to nature through barrier-free design.

Scientific Awards and Funding:

• Principal Investigator, SSHRC-funded Nature for All project

Mark supervises graduate students in the MA and MNRES programs within the NRES Graduate Program. He is currently accepting new students and is available for media engagement as a subject matter expert. His research is supported by active grants and a broad network of collaborators focused on evidence-based planning for sustainable development.

He is affiliated with the Environmental Planning program and contributes to the NRES Graduate Program, working closely with interdisciplinary teams on projects related to climate resilience and community engagement.