Derya Tarhan

Bio Summary

Derya Tarhan’s research and teaching focuses on the theory, practice, and intersections of social and solidarity economy (SSE), community development, and social justice. Weaved through his research program are SSE practice, public policy design and implementation processes, and social movements in energy, food, and housing. Dr. Tarhan has also been involved in renewable energy co-operative development in Ontario and serves as a board member of the Canadian Association for Studies in Co-operation.

Research interests: Co-operatives; Community development; Energy equity; Energy democracy; Energy policy; Alternative food Initiatives; Renewable energy co-operatives.

Education

• PhD in Adult Education and Community Development, University of Toronto
• MAES in Local Economic Development, University of Waterloo
• Bilingual Honours BA in International Studies and Economics, York University

Honours and Certifications

• Jack Quarter Prize in Social Economy, University of Toronto
• CUPE 3908-1 Award for Excellence in Teaching, Trent University
• Alan H. Weatherley Graduate Fellowship in Environmental Leadership, University of Toronto

Affiliations and Partnerships 

• Board Member: Canadian Association for Studies in Co-operation
• Committee Member: Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee of the Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation

Current Research Projects

Growing Together: Co-producing Actionable Knowledge for Food and Farm Co-operatives in Ontario - Principal Investigator.  Funded by Ontario Agri-food Innovation Alliance Knowledge Translation and Transfer Research (KTT-R) Grant. A research partnership between the University of Guelph, the Ontario Co-operative Association, and Local Food and Farm Co-ops Ontario.

Roadmap for Establishing a Renewable Energy Co-operative Federation in Turkey – Principal Investigator.  Funded by SSHRC SIG Explore Grant.  A research partnership between the University of Guelph, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University (Turkey), and Troya Environmental Association (Turkey).

Advancing Energy Equity in the City of Guelph - Co-Principal Investigator.  Funded by the City of Guelph. A research partnership between the City of Guelph, The Guelph Lab, The University of Guelph, and The University of Toronto.

Municipalities in Renewable Energy [M-REN] Project - Principal Investigator.  A research partnership between ICLEI Canada and the University of Guelph.

Pathways to Energy Democracy in Canada - Co-Investigator.  Funded by SSHRC Insight Development Grant.

Regulatory innovation for co-operative ownership in Canadian energy grids: Roadmap for Resilience - Co-Investigator.  Funded by Natural Resources Canada Smart Grid Fund.

Calling in and calling out - supporting justice, equity, diversity, decolonization and inclusion (JEDDI) transformation in the Canadian worker co-op movement - Co-Investigator.  Funded by SSHRC Partnership Engage Grant.