Real-world Research: Real-world Impact
In VIU's Faculty of Management, we believe in the power of curiosity and collaboration.
Discover how our faculty are tackling today's business challenges and driving innovation on Vancouver Island and beyond.
VIU's 2025 Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Studies
Dr. Kimberly Coleman
Dr. Kimberly Coleman is VIU’s 2025 Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Studies. Dr. Coleman is an Associate Professor at the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Vermont. During her time at VIU, Dr. Coleman has been researching mountain biking’s social impacts on Indigenous communities, and ways for communities to manage mountain bike trails with respect towards Indigenous lands. She is comparing a case study of the Ucluelet Mountain Bike Association with a case study of Carrabassett Valley in Maine, United States, to determine what creates successful co-management of shared recreational land.
BC Regional Innovation Chair in Tourism and Sustainable Development
Dr. Farhad Moghimefar
As the BC Regional Innovation Chair in Tourism and Sustainable Development, Dr. Moghimefar makes the most of his passion for the outdoors traversing the many trails of Vancouver Island with his bike. This is also where the paths of his passion for community and recreation merge. He is undertaking "multiple projects to explore the adaptive capacity of various rural tourism communities and implement strategies to bolster their resilience in the face of changing dynamics and challenges". This includes heading up the Rural Tourism Research Hub.
Rural Tourism Research Hub
Dr. Farhad Moghimehfar is very passionate about sustainable tourism! His work focuses on finding ways to boost rural development across British Columbia, making sure our communities thrive while protecting our natural and cultural heritage. As the BC Regional Innovation Chair in Tourism and Sustainable Rural Development at Vancouver Island University (VIU), his role involves leading research and initiatives that aim to create sustainable tourism practices that benefit both the environment and the people who live in rural areas.
What is the mission of the Rural Tourism Research Hub?
Our mission is to lead research that promotes sustainable and regenerative tourism, which is key to building resilient rural communities. We focus on approaches that:
- Support local economies: By encouraging tourism that brings income to local businesses and creates jobs for residents.
- Preserve cultural heritage: By promoting tourism that respects and celebrates the unique traditions and history of our rural areas.
- Protect natural environments: By ensuring that tourism activities do not harm the natural landscapes and ecosystems that make our region beautiful.
What is the vision?
Our vision is to become a leading research hub that helps rural regions in British Columbia develop tourism in a way that is both sustainable and regenerative. We aim to:
- Empower communities: By providing them with the tools and knowledge to manage tourism in ways that are beneficial and sustainable.
- Foster innovation: By exploring new and creative approaches to tourism that meet the needs of the present without compromising the future.
- Promote collaboration: By working with local communities, businesses, and governments to create tourism strategies that are inclusive and effective.
At VIU, we believe that sustainable and regenerative tourism is not just about minimizing harm, but about actively improving the environment and the well-being of our communities. Join us in our journey to make rural British Columbia a model for sustainable tourism development.
Sharon Karsten: Michael Smith Health Research BC Scholar
With a PhD in Communications, Sharon Karsten continues her dedication to cultural and community development at VIU through an ongoing collaboration with Vancouver Island University, Island Health, AVI Health and Community Services, the Comox Valley Art Gallery, and others. Sharon is a recipient of the Michael Smith Health Research BC Scholar Program and continues the dedicated work that began in the Walk With Me project that she created with a team in 2019.
Excellence in Action: A Faculty Dedicated to Mentorship and Discovery
Our faculty are more than just educators; they are mentors, researchers, and industry leaders committed to fostering a spirit of inquiry and innovation. With a focus on applied learning and small class sizes, our students have unparalleled opportunities to engage in meaningful research that addresses the evolving needs of the business world. We are proud to celebrate the achievements of our faculty who are consistently recognized for their dedication to student success and scholarly pursuits.
Joanna Schroeder, Deans’ Scholarship, Research and Creative Activity Award
Joanne is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality. Her numerous roles have included administration, teaching, consulting, research, graduate supervision, and the development of experiential learning field schools and study tours. She is also the first Chairwoman of the World Leisure Organization and past Director of the World Leisure Centre of Excellence. She has taught within the Indigenous Eco tourism program and facilitated research training for the Indigenous Ecotourism students. Her research emphasizes that collaborative efforts like the Social Prescribing Programs are vital to improving community well-being.
Professor Schroeder on Social Prescription
We have to stop seeing health promotion programs such as recreation, parks and trails, sports, and arts and culture as the first to be cut or eliminated. The data being collected from social prescribing is showing us that these programs are more than just beneficial; they are essential.
Dr. Martin Martens, Retired Professor, SRCA Service Award
A recipient of the prestigious Provost's Award for Service, Scholarship, Research and Creative Activity, Dr. Martens exemplifies our faculty's commitment to both academic rigour and community engagement. His extensive research in areas such as organizational behaviour and entrepreneurship enriches the learning experience for our students and contributes valuable insights to the business community. Dr. Martins retired from the Management Department in 2025 and was honoured for his long-standing service on the STAR Committee and the Research Ethics Board (REB).
VIU World Leisure Centre of Excellence
On September 15, 2009 the charter for the VIU World Leisure Centre of Excellence was officially signed at VIU's Nanaimo Campus. Representing the World Leisure Organization (WLO) was Secretary General Dr. Christopher Edginton, while Dr. Ralph Nilson - VIU President and WLO lifetime member - signed on behalf of the university. The Centre, housed in the Department of Recreation and Tourism Management, is the first of its kind in North America and represents an ongoing partnership between VIU and the WLO.
The World Leisure Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Leisure management brings together established and emerging scholars from around the globe to share innovative ideas, engage in dialogue and collaborate in research and teaching.
The core themes of the Centre include:
Sustainability
Questioning the relationship between leisure and sustainability, determining the level of sustainability of the leisure industry and inviting and monitoring new models and approaches to enhance sustainability.
Innovation
Rethinking the systems and structures that have evolved across the globe, creating a culture of innovation where new ideas emerge and flourish, and measuring the impact of innovation on sustainability efforts.
The work of the Centre includes:
- Creation of a network of scholars from academic, government, non government and community to form a community of practice that engages in dialogue on sustainability and innovation in leisure;
- Collaborative scholarship on sustainability and innovation in leisure including research projects, learning abroad opportunities, and interactive media;
- Prior to 2025, the delivery of a Masters degree in Sustainable Leisure Management at Vancouver Island University were emerging scholars could learn about the core thematic areas of the Centre while engaging in dialogue with partners within the network.
For more information please contact:
Joanne Schroeder
Joanne.Schroeder@viu.ca | 250.753.3245