Dr. Justine Townsend holds a cross-appointed position with the IISAAK OLAM Foundation (IOF) and Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute. Justine is leading engagement, planning, and research to support the development of an IPCA Research Centre. This effort is complemented by a postdoctoral fellowship with UBC’s Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability in partnership with IOF. She is also an instructor in the IPCA Planning Certificate at VIU, a program co-developed with IOF.

Since 2017, Justine has dedicated herself to learning about and supporting Indigenous-led conservation and IPCAs. In 2022, she completed a PhD on IPCAs as potential processes of reconciliation.

Justine is enthusiastic about decolonization and systems change. She has worked in cross-cultural and Indigenous contexts for nearly 20 years and has a background in environmental assessments, community engagement, and research. Justine brings a relationships-focused approach to her leadership and fosters collaboration using strong communication, facilitation, and project management skills.

She is a first generation Canadian of European ancestry who gratefully resides in K’ómoks territory on Vancouver Island. She loves working in service of Indigenous-led conservation and is continually inspired by her colleagues and collaborators. When she’s not working she can be found frolicking in the forest.

E-mail: justine@iisaakolam.ca
E-mail: Justine.Townsend@viu.ca