Chelsea Mathieson

Resource and Environmental Management (Planning) master's student in the Faculty of Environment

I grew up in outskirts of the small mountain town of Nelson, BC, spending all my free time in forests and lakes. This instilled in me a deep appreciation for the natural environment from a very young age. I went on to get a Diploma in Integrated Environmental Planning from Selkirk College in 2016 and my B.Sc. in Environmental Science from Royal Roads University in 2017. I am now in the final stages of completing my MRM-Planning degree, with my research focused on evaluating Canadian climate policy.

Outside of my studies, I am extremely passionate about marine science and conservation. I have spent over five years volunteering for multiple non-profit organizations conducting research on marine mammals. In the future I hope to bring my education and passion together into the field of marine conservation planning.

In my free time (when I have it), I enjoy hiking, travel, and photography: all things that remind me why I love nature so much. Some interesting facts about me: I won the Governor General's Academic Bronze Medal in 2016, in 2019 I travelled to Antarctica, and in 2021 I was diagnosed with SLE.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO SFU?

I chose to come to SFU because I was looking for transdisciplinary program that offered the opportunity to learn how to take scientific knowledge and put in into political action. The MRM-Planning program seemed like the perfect fit.

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

My program is like the minestrone soup of environmental programs: its got a bit of everything! From planning, to ecology, to law, to policy, to economics, I learn a little about a lot. My research is looking at all the things the federal government HAS committed to do to mitigate climate change, and see if those stack up to what we NEED to do in order to keep global temperatures "well below" 1.5 degrees C (as per the Paris Agreement).

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

I have particularly enjoyed the variety in course material - especially in retrospect. Each class teaches you to think about the world in new ways, and you come out looking at the world in new ways. I also really enjoy studying in a cohort. All of my education has been in a cohort-model, and I love the camaraderie and teamwork this program has.

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 have been fortunate enough to be the recipient of a number of awards, including a SSHRC Canadian Graduate Scholarship, a SFU Graduate Fellowship, the BCAA Environmental Studies Award, and the Canadian Pacific Award for Environmental Innovation. I am incredibly grateful to all of the organizations who have helped me in my studies. It is awards like these that make graduate studies possible for students like myself.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PROGRAM/POSTDOC POSITION TO SOMEONE STILL SEARCHING FOR A PROGRAM OR POSTDOC POSITION?

If you are not quite sure what you want to do yet, this is a great program to keep learning and exploring. Similarly, if you want to be more of a generalist, this is a fantastic program. Also, since this is a course-based program, don't get too caught up on what you will do for your research project. Reach out to the faculty and find a supervisor who resonates with you. And most of all, enjoy the ride!

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE?

My Publications:

McInnes, J.D., Mathieson, C.R., West-Stap, P.J. Marcos, S.L., Wade, V.L., Moore, J.E., & Dill, L.M. (In press). Identification Catalog and Field Guide for Transient (Bigg’s) Killer Whales of Monterey Bay and California Waters. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Southwest Fisheries Science Center. https://tinyurl.com/2xzwbk4w McInnes, J.D., Mathieson, C.R., West-Stap, P.J.,

Marcos, S.L., Wade, V.L., Olson, P.A., & Trites, A.W. (2021). Transient killer whales of central and northern California and Oregon: A catalog of photo-identified individuals (Publication No. NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWFSC-644). U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Southwest Fisheries Science Center. https://doi.org/10.25923/60y3-5m49 McInnes, J.D.

Buckmaster, J.N., Cullen, K.D., Mathieson, C.R., & Tawes, J.P. (2020). Intentional stranding by mammal-hunting killer whales (Orcinus orca) in the Salish Sea. Aquatic Mammals Journal, 46(6), 556-560. DOI 10.1578/AM.46.6.2020.556 McInnes, J.D.,

Mathieson, C.R., West-Stap, P.J., Marcos, S.L., Wade, V.L., Moore, J.E., Olson, P.A. (Dec 1-2, 2020). Recent trends in the ecology of transient killer whales in Monterey Bay, California 2006-2018 [Conference poster]. CalCOFI Conference 2020, online. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-mathieson-7b1721119/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chelsea.mathieson/

Contact Chelsea Mathieson: chelsea.mathieson@sfu.ca