Dr. Marcela Valania

Biography

Since 2014, Marcela Valania has been actively involved in strategic planning, design, development, implementation, coordination, and assessment of innovative wine education activities at the University of British Columbia (UBC). As an Honorary Research Associate and Sessional Lecturer in the Faculty of Management, she collaborates closely with the Director of the Wine Research Centre and engages with faculty staff across UBC's campuses, as well as institutional partners both in Canada and abroad. Her contributions to wine education leverage her experience as an instructor in the Master of Management program. She also participates in a project focused on the economic history and future strategy of the Okanagan region. Valania’s research interests are particularly centered on facilitation of learning processes and multisensory approaches to communication, exploring how visual expressions can enhance research representation and participation. She has published works in journals such as BC Studies and the International Journal of Wine Business Research, reflecting her academic endeavors. Additionally, her work as an artist informs her research, contributing to community engagement through curated, research-based exhibitions. Valania is passionate about helping universities identify and address the socio-economic needs of their regions while fostering connections between local, national, and global communities.

Research Interests