Curriculum Vitae
Education
PhD, Social and Ecological Sustainability, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario 2013-2019
Research Areas: sustainable development, environmental assessment, conflict management, regional/strategic level assessment, governance of wicked problems, mining
Masters in the Study of Law, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario 2011-2012
Major Research Paper- “Are invasive alien species pollutants?” Supervised by Dr. Sara Seck
Masters of Arts, Global Governance, University of Waterloo- Balsillie School of International Affairs, Waterloo, Ontario 2010-2011
Major Research Paper- “Invasive species: the Global and the Local”
Honours Bachelors of Environmental Studies, with a Joint Honours in Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, 2006-2010
Undergraduate thesis- “Exploring the Potential Relationship between Sustainability Assessment and Cultural Conflict through the Chinese Western Development Policy”
Research Interests
My research has focused upon the complex socio-ecological relationships that economic trade and development generate. Legal regimes, biodiversity policy, sustainability theories, public participation and globalization are the factors I have considered in my research. Alternative dispute resolution and public-private conflict are also primary foci of my research.
Awards &
Funding
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SSHRC Doctoral Award Recipient, 2015 - 2018
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President's Council Award Recipient, 2015 - 2018
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Wilderness Conservation Society W. Garfield Weston Northern Conservation Fellowship Recipient, 2015-2016
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University of Waterloo Graduate Scholarship, 2014-2015
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Ontario Graduate Scholarship Recipient, 2013-2014
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President’s Council Award Recipient, 2013- 2014
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University of Western Ontario Graduate Scholarship, 2011-2012
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Ontario Graduate Scholarship Recipient, 2010-2011
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Balsillie Fellowship, 2010- 2011
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President’s Council Award Recipient, 2010- 2011
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Canada Millennium Excellence Award Laureate, 2008 and 2009
Presentation and Publications
Conference/ Workshop Presentation
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CIGI Challenges and Opportunities for Governance of Social-Ecological Systems in Comparative Perspective Workshop (April 2016): "The Need for Strategic and Sustainability-Based Cumulative Effects Assessment in Canadian Mining Development"
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OAIA Conference (November 2015): "Climate Change and Project Level Assessment"
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Balsillie School of International Affairs Environment & Resources PhD Workshop (April 2015): "How Conflict Management could assist Regional Environmental Assessment and Planning in Canadian Extractive Sector Development Areas"
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University of Western Ontario Earth Day Colloquium- London, Ontario (April 2014): “Sustainable
development and conflict management”
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Ecosystem Services Partnership Conference- Portland, Oregon (August 2012): “Are Invasive Species
Pollutants?”
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University of Western Ontario Earth Day Colloquium- London, Ontario (April 2012): “Are Invasive Species
Pollutants”
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University of Indiana, Great Lakes Water Resources Governance Symposium- Indianapolis, Indiana:
“Aquatic Invasive Alien Species and the Evolution of Canadian and US Ballast Water Regulations in the
Great Lakes- Rowing in Tandem or Muddying the Waters?” (Forthcoming: March 2013)
Publications
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“Aquatic Invasive Alien Species and the Evolution of Canadian and US Ballast Water Regulations in the Great Lakes- Rowing in Tandem or Muddying the Waters?” Indiana International & Comparative Law Review (Vol. 24, No.1, 2014)
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“Review of Assessing and Restoring Natural Resources for Post-Conflict Ecosystems ed David Jensen, Stephen Lonergan” The McGill International Journal of Sustainable Development Law and Policy (Vol.9, No. 3, 2014)
July 2019- present, Office of Public Engagement, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland
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Researched the Lower Churchill Hydro-Electric project, assessment process, inquiry and its subsequent impact on the Newfoundland economy
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Engaged in public outreach on the project
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Write articles for future publication
February 2014- 2019, Faculty of Environment, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario for Professor Robert B. Gibson
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Researched best practice environmental assessment, conflict management and applicable case law
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Write articles for future publication
September- December 2012, Faculty of Law, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario for Associate Professor Michael Coyle
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Interviewed First Nations elders in British Columbia and Central Ontario about dispute resolution processes
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Compiled research and analyzed findings
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Traveled to various conferences to discuss findings
September- December 2011, Faculty of Systems Design Engineering- Conflict Analysis Group, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario for Professor Keith Hipel,
Junior Balsillie Fellow Research Assistant
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Audited a systems design engineering course on conflict management systems
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Researched European Union and United State climate relations and modeled the outcome of the conflict using computer programming
April- October 2009, Faculty of Law, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario for Associate Professor Michael Coyle
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Developed a course on Alternative Dispute Resolution for international environmental and social issues that will be joint taught by faculty staff. Lessons included environmental, ethnic and cultural issues that resulted in conflict, violence, treaties or conflict resolution including the Montreal Protocol, Rwanda Tribunals, the collapse of the East Coast fishery, women’s land tenure issues, Canadian indigenous land claims and water issues in the Nile River Basin. The course focused on simulations and legal considerations.
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Researched international indigenous land claim cases and their resolutions
September- December, 2008; April- May, 2009 Ontario Legislature, New Democratic Party Caucus Office, Toronto, Ontario
Environmental Researcher and Media Aide
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Researched broad range of environmental issues including energy efficiency in the Ontario Building Code, Green Economic Policy, Nuclear Power Stations and the Western Climate Initiative - interpreted the information to make policy recommendations, reports and present potential solutions
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Liaised with Queen’s Park Press Bureau for news coverage of NDP legislative positions and communicated to MPPs and support staff details of Liberal MPP media comments
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Helped develop and promote NDP new media such as NDTV, an online NDP television show that highlighted NDP MPP and their political actions
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Met with stakeholder groups such as unions, environmental groups, international delegations and public advocacy organizations on issues such as building code deficiencies and delegations regarding health policy- conveyed their positions to caucus members and support staff
Research Experience
Teaching Experience
January - April 2015, ERS 415: Environmental Assessment III- Advanced Environmental and Sustainability Assessment
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Marked oral presentations and arguments related to environmental assessment, cumulative effects, sustainability assessment, strategic assessment, etc.
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Marked student papers
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Provided office hours for student consultation
September 2013- January 2014; September 2014 – January 2015, ENVS 201: Introduction to Canadian Environmental Law
Teaching Assistant
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Taught tutorial of 50 second, third and fourth year students legal reasoning and interpretation, legal writing, and case law regarding Canadian environmental law issues, specifically in regards to property law, tort and public regulatory regimes.
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Marked quizzes, case briefs, legal memos, midterms and finals
January- April 2009; January- April 2010, ERS 101: Introduction to Environmental Decision-Making, University of
Waterloo: Assistant Professor Sarah Wolfe Teaching Assistant
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Taught tutorial of 25 first year students approaches to critical thinking, negotiation, verbal and written communication and social and economic concerns regarding environmental issues, specifically in regards to bottled water in Canada.
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Edited and marked stakeholder position papers
Community
St. Marys Library Board Chair January 2015 to present- Direct liaison between Town Council and Library Board, supervises Library CEO, advocates for the library to Town Council and the public at large, helps determine budgetary and management decisions for the library, and sits on all committees.
St. Marys Library Board Member March 2012 to January 2015- Advocates for the library, helps determine budgetary and management decisions for the library, and sits on the finance, planning and adult learning sub-committee.
Friends of the Transvaal Volunteer January 2012 to present- research and develop strategy to prevent the development of a gravel pit in Blanshard Township in Perth County on floodplain land adjacent to the Thames River
Adult Learning Program of Perth Advisory Board April 2012 to present- Supports the development adult literacy in Perth County by assisting in planning and advocacy of the program. Also, volunteered as a tutor once a week to aid adults in attaining GED.
Go Girls! Mentor (Big Brothers Big Sisters) June 2012 to August 2015- In-school mentor for six eleven to twelve-year old girls at Little Falls Public School in St. Marys Ontario, working on developing their self-esteem, body image and teaching them about healthy lifestyles including healthy eating and exercise.
Lawrence National Centre Student Advisory Board Member 2011 to August 2012- Member of a public policy think tank that discusses problems occurring within Canada and proposes policy solutions in consultation with leaders in the public sector, private business and non-governmental organizations.
“Sound FM” Radio Station Programmer 2007 to 2010- Local radio program that highlights Canadian and international independent music, particularly live to air radio concerts and interviews
“Sound FM” Board of Directors- Waterloo Liaison 2007 to December 2009