Dr. Farhad Moghimehfar is the BC Regional Innovation Chair in Tourism and Sustainable Rural Development at Vancouver Island University. His work focuses on advancing rural innovation through data-driven research, tourism development, and economic diversification strategies. He holds a PhD in nature-based tourism from the University of Alberta and brings extensive expertise in research design, data analytics, and community-based planning. His work integrates data and emerging technologies to support more informed and adaptive decision-making in rural contexts. Farhad leads applied research initiatives and has worked with governments, Indigenous communities, and industry partners across Canada and internationally, translating complex data into practical strategies that strengthen rural economies and enhance community resilience.

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farhad-moghimehfar/