Dr. Philippe Le Billon

Professor

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Biography

Philippe Le Billon is a Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of British Columbia, with a joint appointment in the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs. His research interests encompass political geography, political ecology, and war studies. Le Billon's work critically examines the intersections of natural resources and armed conflict, highlighting the political economy of war reconstruction and the resource curse. He employs historically grounded fieldwork and large-N quantitative methods, focusing on regions such as South East Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, with significant interest in Latin America. Le Billon strives to make his research policy relevant and has made substantial contributions to the understanding of governance in extractive sectors and food security. He has published numerous academic papers addressing climate change, illicit financial flows, and environmental justice, demonstrating his commitment to addressing pressing global challenges through academic inquiry.

Research Interests

Requirements for University of British Columbia

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.3
IELTS
Listening
Required:6.5
Reading
Required:6.5
Writing
Required:6.5
Speaking
Required:6.5
Overall
Required:7
TOEFL
Listening
Required:22
Reading
Required:22
Writing
Required:21
Speaking
Required:21
Total
Required:100
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Philosophy or related field 3 credits in formal logic 6 credits at the upper level in history of philosophy 3 credits at the upper level in ethics or value theory 6 credits at the upper level in metaphysics, epistemology, or philosophy of science
Application Checklist
  • Online application form
  • Application fee
  • Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Writing sample (15-20 pages)
  • Statement of intent
  • Evidence of English language proficiency
Specialization Notes

Offers course-only and thesis routes. Focus areas include philosophy of science, mind, ethics, and Asian philosophy.