Research & partnerships

ES alumni Walker Tottman in the field camping on Mount Colonel Foster

In the School of Environmental Studies, our commitment to understand the world and our role in it pushes us beyond the usual boundaries. Merging science with social studies and the humanities, our research takes us from the heart of local communities to the vastness of the global stage.

Our faculty and graduate students are at the forefront of deepening our grasp of environmental issues and humanity's connection to the Earth.

Our community

Our people

What sets us apart is the calibre of our team. We are pioneering scholars and celebrated researchers, united not by individual accolades but by a dedication to work together. We are grounded in our shared commitments to justice, decolonization and inclusion, which shape our teaching, research, and community engagement

Collaborating with diverse partners across academia, First Nations, government bodies, NGOs and global communities, we weave a mosaic of insights. This collaborative spirit drives our shared goal of effecting meaningful change in the world.

Our weekly colloquium series showcases the latest research in environmental studies, featuring local and international scholars as well as our own faculty and graduate students.

Our partners

Our partners are crucial to our research and education efforts, making our work both meaningful and possible. They connect our students to real-world experiences and help bridge academic learning with practical application, working together to create lasting impacts on communities and the environment.

Grad students in the field at the Arctic Landscape Ecology Lab — Field research in the Tuktoyaktuk Coastlands with the Arctic Landscape Ecology Lab.

Collaborative approach

Our strength is built on three core focus areas that help us face environmental issues by seeing the whole picture through science, society and everything in between. This approach sets us apart, giving us the tools and knowledge to dig deep and make real impact through collaborative innovation.

Ethnoecology
Explores how people and nature live together, highlighting how diverse cultures respect and protect the Earth. Researchers study the changing relationship between humans and the environment, providing insights on land rights, climate change, and the recovery of traditional knowledge.
Faculty: Trevor Lantz, Natalie Ban, Darcy Mathews and Gerald Singh

Ecological restoration
Focuses on repairing damaged environments, and supporting environmental stewardship locally and globally. Research examines effective, long-term restoration strategies and the complex, integrated approaches needed to rebuild socio-ecological systems.
Faculty: Eric Higgs, John Volpe, Brian Starzomski, Nancy Shackelford and Loren McClenachan

Political ecology
Examines the impact of leadership and business decisions on the environment, seeking solutions to environmental challenges. This research explores key barriers to change, uncovering the complexities of environmental decision-making beyond simple solutions.
Faculty: Karena Shaw, James Rowe, Deborah Curran and Sarah Hunt