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"It has been a delight to witness the drive, relentless talent and intelligence, and good will of Farina since she arrived in Vancouver to start her Master of Urban Studies degree in Fall 2019. She brings the full extent of her dauntless capacity to each new opportunity, and does not stop until she has carried the opportunity forward fruitfully. Farina's magic has been on display in the new study of spatial injustice in service provision in South Vancouver that she co-led last year, the work she does in partnership with the City of Surrey toward better data and accounting for urban economic development strategies and opportunities, and her thesis research investigating the use and policy implications of EVs, as well as in her student leadership in Urban Studies and for the ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Grad Student Society. I have seen Farina turn on the magic even when she was handed a rake and pointed to a new bed at Harmony Garden. Farina has the mix of fortitude, skill, desire to contribute, insight, and inner peace that cities so badly need for repair and forward motion."
- Dr. Meg Holden
Farina Fassihi
Urban Studies master's student in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
I am a researcher in the domains of urban planning, transportation studies, and local economic development. I hold a Bachelors Degree in Urban Planning and Design, and am currently pursuing my Masters in Urban Studies.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV?
I chose ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV because of the strong research focus the Urban Studies program has on the theories behind the field of urban planning and policy.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RESEARCH OR YOUR PROGRAM TO A FAMILY MEMBER?
My research focuses on electric vehicles and how they potentially impact cities and mobility. I am studying whether electric vehicle drivers' travel patterns and behaviour is any different than those of someone who drivers a conventional car. I believe this research is important because regardless of how energy-efficient electric vehicles are, they might increase our car dependency, which is not at all what we want in our cities.
WHAT ARE YOU PARTICULARLY ENJOYING ABOUT YOUR STUDIES/RESEARCH AT ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV?
Being part of the Urban Studies program has been a very positive experience for me. I enjoy studying and doing research in a passionate and hard working community of urbanists.
HAVE YOU BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF ANY MAJOR OR DONOR-FUNDED AWARDS? IF SO, PLEASE TELL US WHICH ONES AND A LITTLE ABOUT HOW THE AWARDS HAVE IMPACTED YOUR STUDIES AND/OR RESEARCH.
I was a recipient of the Joy de Cosson Graduate Research Fellowship in Sustainable Transportation in 2021. The award has helped me fund my study's data collection, and has encouraged my research in sustainable transportation. It gives me great pleasure to learn about women who have pursued challenging and non-traditional roles in their careers, and receiving a scholarship in Joy's name and learning about her story has had great impact on my career aspirations as a woman.
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Contact : farina_fassihi@sfu.ca