Recently, the federal government announced that two MacEwan faculty members have been awarded $1.2 million as part of the Canada Research Chairs program.
Dr. Leanne Hedberg, associate professor in the Department of Management and Organizations, is now a Canada Research Chair in Social Entrepreneurship in Disadvantaged and Marginalized Communities. Dr. Farzan Baradaran Rahimi, assistant professor in the Department of Design, is now a Canada Research Chair in Immersive Learning.
Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs are awarded to exceptional emerging researchers whose potential for leadership in their field is acknowledged by their peers. Each chair is valued at $120,000 annually for five years and can be renewed once.
“These successful applications for Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs align with many elements of the university’s strategic vision – community-engaged scholarship, thought leadership and, ultimately, teaching greatness,” says Provost and Vice-President, Academic Dr. Craig Monk. “We are particularly thrilled to have Dr. Hedberg and Dr. Baradaran Rahimi leading innovative scholarship in these important areas at a time when our university is positioning itself for growth and aiming to serve 30,000 students by 2030.”
Dr. Hedberg and Dr. Baradaran Rahimi join Dr. Marielle Papin, who was awarded a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Urban Wellness (Urban Policy and Governance) earlier this year.
Dr. Leanne Hedberg
Dr. Leanne Hedberg is an associate professor of entrepreneurship and innovation, and prior to completing a PhD in Strategic Management and Organizations, held executive positions in both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, including president of Hillview Urban Agriculture Center, a cross-sector collaboration to foster a sustainable community food system, and chief operating officer of LivingHR, Inc., a consulting firm aimed at humanizing workplaces.
Dr. Hedberg’s international research focuses on social innovations, including cross-sector collaborations and inclusive entrepreneurship. Her work has been published in regional and international journals, including Administrative Sciences Quarterly (ASQ), Organizational Science, Research on the Sociology of Organizations, Canada Food Studies, Ivey Case Publishing, WDI, Wisconsin Medical Journal, Human Resources Management Review and the Employee Commitment Handbook.
Dr. Hedberg co-leads an international learning community of ethnographic scholars in organizational studies.
Dr. Farzan Baradaran Rahimi
Dr. Baradaran Rahimi has more than 15 years of experience in teaching, research and design in collaboration with academic and industrial partners. His research focuses on creating immersive learning environments, experiences and approaches through innovative strategies and emerging technologies in formal and informal educational contexts.
Dr. Baradaran Rahimi has been engaged in several award-winning interdisciplinary projects inside and outside academia in partnership with the University of Calgary, Université Laval, Alberta Education, Alberta Culture and Tourism, Virtual Museum of Canada, The Military Museums of Alberta and Calgary Contemporary.
His works have been published and presented internationally in prestigious journals and well-respected conferences.