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James Umpherson: Principal Writer & Researcher
Over the course of my career, I have moved fluidly between studying, researching, and applying the principles of community economic development. Both my academic and practitioner careers have taken me to the to the North, the West, Central, and Atlantic Canada.
Academically, I have been a researcher and lecturer for a cross section of undergraduate and professional development courses at Trent University, University of Waterloo, Aurora College, and EDAC. I have taught university and professional development courses to a wide range of students, including young adults, First Nation people, government professionals, entrepreneurs, and adult learners.
As an academic in economic development, my graduate work focussed on the developed of the “Aboriginal Index” as an assessment tool for community and economic vitality of urban centres and their ability to integrate indigenous people into the local economy and social fabric. Building from my work in community and economic vitality, this led to the framing of an economic development capacity building model for communities to build from within rather than the perpetual approach to external place marketing and zero sum games of business attraction.
Whether it was my economic geography research or the broader economic development field in political economy, my research was built upon the need to address the ongoing challenges of smaller community to find sustainable solutions for social and economic viability. All of this research has led to my current research area focussing on a theory of economic development based on Integrated Economic Solutions.
In the field, I have worked with a cross-section of local, regional, and national governments; First Nation governments; and community-based agencies. Whether it is academic research or practical application, my work is focused on inspiring communities in shifting their development thinking from traditional models to an integrated process.
During my work in the field, have taught, coached, and mentored a cross section of First Nation development and community governance to create innovative opportunities. The successes I have achieved include working with a variety of community governments, including strategic planning, implementation, launch, financing, follow up, evaluation, and assessment of developmental initiatives.
On a personal level, cycling, cycle touring, strength training, and cross-country skiing are my fitness passions. Reading history, geography, the concept of empire, WW1 & WW2, political science, and economics are the focus of my mental and spiritual stimulation.