Viviane Gauer

School of Resource and Environmental Management doctoral student in the Faculty of Environment

I am a PhD candidate working with the Sustainable Transportation Action Research Team (START) in REM. I grew up in Southern Brazil, where I studied Sociology and Anthropology. Since coming to REM to pursue my Master’s degree, I have been applying social science to inform effective responses to anthropogenic climate change. I feel grateful to be living in the territories of the q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), Kwantlen, kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Qayqayt, Semiahmoo, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), Stó:lō, Tsawwassen, and səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples, and am constantly amazed by the nature and landscapes of BC.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO SFU?

The REM program’s diverse areas of expertise and recognition as an excellent graduate program in academia and beyond drew me to SFU. I came to learn how to conduct research that is both rigorous and applicable to informing solutions on the ground.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RESEARCH OR YOUR PROGRAM TO A FAMILY MEMBER?

START leads research on sustainable transitions towards a low-carbon transportation system, focusing on aspects such as consumer response and policy approaches. Several transport innovations can lower carbon emissions from the passenger sector, such as electric vehicles, shared mobility, and automation. These technologies’ potential to improve the sustainability of our transport systems is partly dependent on how consumers may adopt them, and whether current patterns of car ownership and use will be transformed. My PhD research investigates consumer response to low-carbon transport innovations and car-based mobility, aiming to clarify the transformative potential of such innovations.

WHAT ARE YOU PARTICULARLY ENJOYING ABOUT YOUR STUDIES/RESEARCH AT SFU?

The SFU community is very supportive, and I feel like I have had the opportunity to grow and develop my skills in several ways. It has also been wonderful to meet so many like-minded people who share the same values as me.

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 am grateful to be a recipient of a Mitacs Accelerate Fellowship, a President's PhD Scholarship, and the BCAA Environmental Studies in Transportation Award. These awards have been tremendously supportive in allowing me to focus full-time on my research and make progress in the PhD program.

Contact : vhippman@sfu.ca