BC Regional Innovation Chair in Tourism and Sustainable Rural Development

Vancouver Island University (VIU) invites applications for an exceptional researcher to assume the position of the BC Regional Innovation Chair (BCRIC) in Tourism and Sustainable Rural Development. Reporting to the Dean of the Faculty of Management, this endowed innovation chair position, established in 2008 and approved through the BC Innovation Council, provides a unique opportunity for an innovative leader who is acknowledged by their peers as having the potential to demonstrate world-class research leadership related to sustainable tourism development.

VIU is deeply committed to being a hub for research and expertise. The institution values, promotes and facilitates respectful engagement and the co-creation of knowledge with indigenous communities. This position aligns with two research strengths in VIU’s strategic research plan including:
1) resilience of island, coastal and rural regions and
2) entrepreneurship, innovation and social change.

POSITION PROFILE
The mandate of the BCRIC is to provide leadership, innovation and support for the aspirations of rural, remote and Indigenous communities throughout the province of BC with respect to tourism development. The Chair provides this support by leading research projects, engaging in partnerships and collaboration on initiatives, providing evidence and input on policy and program development, identifying and mobilizing innovative solutions to pressing rural challenges, and developing capacity in rural development, sustainability and tourism in the rural BC ecosystem.

The BCRIC will work across disciplines at VIU and develop and maintain a strong network of researchers across BC, Canada and in the international context. An advisory committee, comprised of members from external stakeholders from government, industry and university will support the successful BCRIC to identify research opportunities and provide ongoing guidance on initiatives. The Chair is expected to actively recruit, train and supervise undergraduate and graduate researchers to cultivate their research capacity.

CANDIDATE EXPECTATIONS
Reporting to the Dean of the Faculty of Management, this position provides 75% of time to achieve the research mandate of the Chair and 25% (equivalent to 2 courses) for teaching within the Faculty of Management, primarily in the undergraduate and graduate programs in the Department of Recreation and Tourism Management. It is envisioned that this Chair will also contribute to VIU Master’s degrees, particularly to the Master of Arts in Sustainable Leisure Management.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR COLLABORATION:
Faculty at VIU have developed close relationships with several community and industry partners. Depending on the area of the candidate’s research focus, opportunities to collaborate exist within the Faculty of Management and across the institution. Significant opportunities exist for collaboration the network of scholars in the World Leisure Center of Excellence in Sustainability and Innovation and with VIU’s Research and Innovation Chairs.

VIU has Elders in Residence to facilitate relationship building with local First Nations communities. The Department of Recreation and Tourism offers a Bachelor of Tourism Management degree and a Masters of Arts in Sustainable Leisure Management. These programs provide opportunities for research collaboration with undergraduate and graduate students.

CANDIDATE ATTRIBUTES
A doctoral degree from an appropriately accredited institution is required. The successful candidate will have demonstrated excellence and leadership in sustainable tourism development in rural areas. Their CV will profile a proven track record in:
• assembling and leading research projects and teams as a PI;
• designing and implementating relevant, innovative, important and impactful research approaches and outputs,
• obtaining and managing external funding (Tri-agency grants and government and industry contracts) in the Post-secondary environment,
• Engaging in applied research and community engaged research with industry and community partners
• Leveraging funding with industry and community partners,
• mobilizing knowledge to both academic and non-academic audiences with impact,
• building relationships and working effectively with communities/government/industry locally, regionally, and provincially,
• developing or working with research networks and engaging in collaborative research initiatives,
• providing leadership in relevant professional organizations and provincial or national recognition for their body of work.
• teaching at the post-secondary level and supervision of graduate students.
• training students in research and have the potential to attract excellent students and future researchers as well as research funding.

SELECTION PROCESS
The successful candidate will become the BCRIC nominee and will be required to develop a proposal that aligns with the mandate of the BCRIC. This proposal must receive approval through an external peer review process to confirm the position by the BC Innovation Council.

The position is for a 5-year term, subject to renewal based upon successful evaluation.

TO APPLY
View the complete position profile and submit the following application documents online by January 4, 2023:
• CV/Resume
• Cover Letter
• A three-page research concept paper describing an innovative research program of relevance to the mandate of the BCRIC. The concept paper must include: Project summary (250 words), Context, Methodology, Engagement with research users and communication of results, and High Quality Personnel training plan. Please include cited literature (not included in the 2 page limit).
• Name and contact information for three people willing to provide a reference.

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
Situated on the traditional territory of the Coast Salish peoples, Vancouver Island University is a comprehensive teaching university with 13,000 students across four campuses. VIU proudly fosters student success, strong community connections and meaningful collaborations by providing access to a wide range of programs, from academic undergraduate and master’s to industry-responsive trades and vocational training. VIU provides a learning environment that is accessible and relevant for all learners, celebrates success and acknowledges Indigenous history and traditions.

The VIU community is grateful to teach, learn, research, live, and share knowledge on the tradition and unceded territories of the Snuneymuxw, Quw’utsun, Tla’amin, Snaw-naw-as and Qualicum First Nations. With hands raised to the original stewards of this place, we say Hay ch qa’ sii’em sieye’ yu mukw Mustimuxw.