A long-time professor at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) has been named a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC). UNBC geography professor Greg Halseth, a renowned expert in the field of rural and small town studies, is UNBC’s first Tier 1 appointment.

“We are very thrilled to announce the appointment of Greg Halseth as our first Tier 1 CRC, “ says UNBC’s Vice President of Research Gail Fondahl. “Dr. Halseth’s expertise in rural and small town development is already widely recognized throughout northern British Columbia and is now receiving international recognition. We think it speaks volumes that UNBC’s first Tier 1 CRC appointment is in a field that matters so much to the well-being of northern British Columbians.”

Dr. Halseth’s research examines rural and small town community development, and the social geography of community change, all with a focus upon northern BC’s resource-based towns. He has been on UNBC’s faculty for eighteen years.

The Canada Research Chairs program invests $300 million per year to attract and retain some of the world's most accomplished and promising minds and is at the centre of a national strategy to make Canada one of the world's top countries in research and development.

UNBC will receive $200,000 annually over seven years for Dr. Halseth’s Chair. The University receives $100,000 annually for five years for each of its nine Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs.