BioCrises and disasters are disruptive and stressful, but they can also be opportunities for change.
I am fascinated by such disruptions, how they originate, and the messy problems they create. My research focuses on flood risk governance: the social dimensions of flood risk management such as decision-making, stakeholder interactions, policies, practices, and participation. |
environmental sociology | disasters & crises
community engagement | food & agriculture |
EducationDoctor of Philosophy,
Sociology | University of Alberta Master of Science, Rural (Environmental) Sociology | University of Alberta Bachelor of Science, Environmental & Conservation Science | University of Alberta |
REsearch Interests
I have been studying and practicing at the intersection of society and environment -focusing on topics such as floods, fuels, food, and farming - around the world in the Netherlands, Namibia, New Zealand, and various parts of Canada. I am interested in the challenges and opportunities at the social-environmental nexus. Seeing a multitude of connections between real-life problems, I wanted to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities in which socio-ecological issues are embedded by also studying economic development, local government administration, community-based research and engagement, and adult education. To address these complex (wicked) problems, I apply an interdisciplinary lens and innovative stakeholder engagement approaches.
Building on my doctoral research on flood risk governance in Alberta, in my postdoctoral research at the University of Waterloo, Building Capacity for Difficult Conversations on Flood Risk Management in Canadian Coastal Communities, I address the need for social innovation in flood risk governance by developing the Tough Conversations Protocol. Flood risk management is contentious because it touches on core values of public safety, property rights, and economic security. Inspired by my research in the Netherlands and experiences co-designing innovative techniques, I incorporate into my Tough Conversations Protocol engagement best practices, role-playing simulation serious game, and an online training on conflict resolution. My goal is to enhance collective problem-solving to address flooding issues in Halifax and Vancouver as part of the FloodGov project and the Climate Risk Research Group .
Building on my doctoral research on flood risk governance in Alberta, in my postdoctoral research at the University of Waterloo, Building Capacity for Difficult Conversations on Flood Risk Management in Canadian Coastal Communities, I address the need for social innovation in flood risk governance by developing the Tough Conversations Protocol. Flood risk management is contentious because it touches on core values of public safety, property rights, and economic security. Inspired by my research in the Netherlands and experiences co-designing innovative techniques, I incorporate into my Tough Conversations Protocol engagement best practices, role-playing simulation serious game, and an online training on conflict resolution. My goal is to enhance collective problem-solving to address flooding issues in Halifax and Vancouver as part of the FloodGov project and the Climate Risk Research Group .