Dr. Nathan Andrews, Associate Professor at UNBC, received a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Insight Grant of $291,579 for his research.
The new study will look at how engagement around resource development is taking place in the Global South and the High North.
“We perceive public participation as crucial to the effective and equitable management of social and economic benefits from resource extraction,” said Dr. Andrews.
“Yet, in practice, extractive industries often fail to achieve meaningful engagement in the eyes of community members, despite extensive participation that appears to meet national and international standards,” he added.
His study will have him looking at situations in Ghana, Chile, Canada, and Norway.
The project has 3 objectives:
- The research will look at how national legal regimes and corporate protocols interact, and how that may create barriers for proper consultation.
- Communities will also be approached to see how stakeholder engagement by these companies is viewed.
- Local engagement will be investigated to find ways to improve the participation and inclusion of marginalized groups.
Dr. Andrews says UNBC is a good place to lead this research, as northern BC often has conversations of meaningful engagement.
The SSHRC Grant will span over 5 years, support Dr. Andrews’ research, and aid 4 graduate students.
“Student training and mentoring is very important to us and we have therefore allocated over 60 percent of the grant money to support such efforts.”