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Dr. Rashid Sumaila

Jul 23, 2026

Dr. Rashid Sumaila Receives SSHRC Discovery Grant

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) announced a $289 million investment to support research initiatives across the country. Among the standout projects recognized in this national funding round is a major SSHRC Insight Grant initiative involving Solving-FCB Co-PI Dr. Rashid Sumaila. Dr. Sumaila is partnering as a collaborator alongside principal investigator Dr. Jessica Dempsey (UBC Department of Geography) on an ambitious project titled “Beyond the status quo: Political economic barriers to reform and pathways for change in BC’s extractive economy”.

Awarded $456,732 over six years, the project investigates the systemic, political, and economic bottlenecks hindering meaningful reform within British Columbia’s resource extraction sector. By examining the root causes of policy inertia, the research aims to pave actionable pathways toward sustainable economic models, equitable resource governance, and environmental stewardship.

Why This Research Matters

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Dr. Sumaila, a world-renowned interdisciplinary economist, has dedicated his career to bioeconomics, marine conservation, and sustainable resource management. His involvement in this research reinforces the critical need to bridge economic policy with real-world sustainability solutions. By tackling the political-economic barriers in BC’s extractive sector, Sumaila and Dempsey’s research will provide vital insights for policymakers, communities, and industries navigating the transition toward a greener economy.

It is worth noting that the The University of British Columbia (UBC) secured $16.6 million across 121 projects, a huge win for interdisciplinary research tackling pressing economic, environmental, and social challenges. Joining Rashid in receiving funding is fellow Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries Professor Dr. Simon Donner (Geography, IOF, and IRES) who will receive $218,690 over 5 years, for his “Urban Future Walks: Can guided tours promote support for climate solutions and positive climate engagement in urban environments?” project.

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