Sarah-Patricia Breen

Dr. Sarah-Patricia Breen serves as the BC Regional Innovation Chair (RIC) in Rural Economic Development at Selkirk Innovates, the applied research department of Selkirk College. She is also an Adjunct Professor at the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, University of Guelph. Her primary role focuses on enhancing rural regions' economic resilience through evidence-based decision-making, policy development, and community partnerships. She holds a PhD in Resource and Environmental Management from Simon Fraser University, a Master's in Geography from Memorial University, and a Bachelor's in Geography from Lakehead University.

Education:

• PhD in Resource and Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University
• Master's in Geography, Memorial University
• Bachelor's in Geography, Lakehead University

Research Interests: Economic development, infrastructure planning, natural resource governance, rural resilience, and policy frameworks tailored to high-amenity rural regions. Her work bridges academic research with practical applications to address challenges like economic diversification, employment stability, and sustainable resource management.

Advising & Grants: While specific grant details are unlisted, her roles inherently involve collaborative projects funded through the BC Leading Edge Endowment Fund and non-government partnerships. No formal advisees are mentioned in the texts.

Labs/Teams: She operates within Selkirk Innovates, fostering cross-sectoral collaborations with governments, businesses, and organizations to advance rural economic strategies.