Tammara Soma

Excellence in Teaching Award, 2023

Tammara Soma implements a systems approach to understanding environmental issues and cultivates planning education that is based on relationship building, collaboration and humility. Soma draws on a diverse range of scholars, worldviews and community expertise to help students in her classroom develop a rich understanding of planning solutions. Passionate about creating an engaging learning environment, she is known to incorporate creative assignments and involve her classes in community research and projects. These hands-on experiences help students gain applied skills, better understand different worldviews and learn to communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences.

Soma inspires her students and community with her vision for sustainable and just food systems for all. As the co-founder and director of the Food Systems Lab, her community-engaged research is focused on the field of food system planning, covering food loss and waste reduction, food sovereignty and the circular economy.  

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