People
Jonathan Boron, M.R.M. (Planning), is a Ph.D. student at Simon Fraser University’s School of Resource and Environmental Management. His research explores the barriers that exist within Western land and resource management institutions, which continue to perpetuate a colonial power imbalance while oppressing Indigenous participation in resource development decision-making. His research aims to advance the principles of self-determination and self-government through community-based institutions that value consent in negotiation and agreement-making. Jonathan is of Haudenosaunee (Cayuga) and European heritage from Six Nations of the Grand River and his research is driven by a passion for community planning and facilitation.
Contact: Email ResearchGate
Phil Bradshaw is a former biochemist turned professional planner and currently a PhD student at SFU's School of Resource and Environmental Management. Phil is researching ways to improve decision making for water management in BC. Managing water is a thorny pursuit. We use water in a lot of different ways and those uses are not always complementary. For the past decade, Phil has been working on water use planning at BC Hydro which balances water used for power generation with other values such as the water needed for fish, wildlife, vegetation, culture and heritage.
Odessa Cohen is a first-year Master’s Student in SFU’s Resource and Environment Management program. Her research will be conducted under the guidance of Andreanne Doyon, and will focus on rural communities in Western Canada and their capacity for resilience to environmental changes and stressors. Odessa comes to the REM program with a Bachelor of Community Design (Hons Environmental Planning) from Dalhousie University (2015), and 3 years of professional work as a municipal planner in Southern Alberta. She is currently a candidate member with PIBC working towards her professional designation as a Registered Professional Planner (RPP) this spring, and is a research assistant for Andreanne Doyon.
Christopher Correia, M.Pl., is a Ph.D. candidate at Simon Fraser University’s School of Resource and Environmental Management. His research focuses on understanding the externalities of urban development and determining how planning policies and regulations can better mitigate these impacts. His professional experience includes working as a Planner for a consulting firm and with a municipal planning department.
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Cameron Gunton, M.R.M. (Planning), is a Ph.D. student at Simon Fraser University’s School of Resource and Environmental Management. His research focuses on natural resource economic policies, liquefied natural gas development, comparative policy, and rural development. Cameron’s PhD research involves performing an evaluation of the Rural Policy Learning Commons (RPLC), an international multi-disciplinary research network focused on building capacity among researchers and policymakers tackling rural issues. Cameron’s professional experience includes environmental assessment, First Nations engagement, and impact benefit agreements.
Contact: Email
Tara Lamothe is a second-year Masters student in the planning stream of Simon Fraser University’s School of Resource and Environmental Management. Her research focuses on Indigenous response and management of contaminated sites and food sources. Prior to her return to school, Tara worked for an environmental/social justice NGO and as a seaman for the Canadian Coast Guard. Tara is Métis, Jobin family, from Treaty 8 territory in northern Alberta, and has spent most of her adult life living and working in unceded Coast Salish and Kwakwaka’wakw territory.
Contact: Email
Sean Markey is a Professor with the School of Resource and Environmental Management. His research concerns issues of local and regional economic development, rural and small-town development, community sustainability, and natural infrastructure. Sean continues to work with municipalities, non-profit organizations, Indigenous communities and the business community to promote and develop sustainable forms of community and regional development. Sean is also an Adjunct Professor with the Department of Geography at the University of Northern British Columbia.
Chris Ray is a master’s student in the Resource and Environmental Planning Program. His research centers on community energy and emissions planning, Indigenous community planning, and climate change mitigation. He comes to REM after six years with an environmental consulting firm in the Okanagan and two years as a Conservation and Demand Management Analyst with an energy utility in Ontario. Chris holds a Bachelor’s of Environmental Studies (major in Environment and Business) from the University of Waterloo.
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Emma Squires is a master’s Student in SFU’s Resource and Environment Management program. Her research interest lies in rural community planning and adaptation to climate change. She comes to REM with a Bachelor of Commerce from Queen’s University and four years of professional experience working in marketing strategy and change management consulting. Emma is a Research Assistant for the Adaptation to Climate Change Team at SFU and a Vice-President of the REM Planning Student Association.
Recent Graduates
Claire Buchanan was a master’s student in the School of Resource and Environmental Management at Simon Fraser University. Her research focuses on workforce development in rural resource based economies, specifically gender diversity in BC’s mining sector. Claire has a Bachelor of Science (Geography) from the University of Victoria, where she researched public consultation in protected area planning. Her professional experiences include working in the building energy efficiency sector.
Richard Farthing-Nichol is a master’s student in his third year of study at the School of Resource and Environmental Management. His research focuses on Indigenous-led land and environmental management, specifically on power relations and self-determination within co-governance arrangements. Originally from Winnipeg, Richard holds a Bachelor of Arts (Political Studies and History) from the University of Manitoba and conducted policy work for the Manitoba government prior to joining REM.
Alex Haalboom is a graduate student in the resource and environmental planning program. Her research interests revolve around how institutions work together to make complex decisions and how social-learning influences environmental behaviours. She comes to REM with a BA in International Development Studies and Sustainability from Dalhousie University, and a decade of experience facilitating and directing outdoor and experiential education programs throughout Canada and abroad.
Contact: LinkedIn
Katherine Levett is a second-year master’s student in the School of Resource and Environmental Management. Her research interests are centred around connecting people to place through place-based development and community economic development planning. She is the Co-President of the REM Planning Student Association. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and has professional experience in a non-profit supporting local development processes.
Jay Maloney is a Master’s Student in SFU’s Resource and Environment Management (REM) program. His research interests include rural community planning, natural asset management and green infrastructure, and community-based climate change adaptation. Jay comes to REM with a Bachelor of Environmental Science from the University of Calgary and a technical diploma in Integrated Environmental Planning from Selkirk College. He has worked as a researcher with the Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute and is currently a Research Assistant for the Adaptation to Climate Change Team (ACT) at SFU.
Contact: LinkedIn
Myfannwy Pope is a master’s Student in SFU’s Resource and Environmental Management program. Her research interest lies in Indigenous governance and housing. She comes to REM with a Bachelor of Arts & Sciences from McMaster University, with a minor in Community Engagement. Her research background includes adult education, housing, and communication around environmental issues. Myfannwy is a research assistant on environmental assessment practices at SFU and Treasurer of the REM Planning Student Association.
Maria Spiliotopoulou is a Ph.D. Candidate at Simon Fraser University's School of Resource and Environmental Management and an instructor in the Sustainable Development Program. Maria’s doctoral research aims to advance community sustainability theory by exploring the potential of urban productivity to holistically operationalize sustainable community development. She also has extensive work experience as an environmental consultant in Europe. Her recent publications, co-authored with Dr. Mark Roseland, include a chapter in the Palgrave Handbook of Sustainability (2018) and a chapter in Elsevier’s Encyclopedia of Sustainable Technologies (2017).
Kacia Tolsma completed her Masters in the School of Resource and Environmental Management (Planning). Her research focuses on the relationship between green infrastructure and public engagement. More specifically, she is interested in engaging the public at the private property level to integrate green infrastructure in their daily lives. Kacia is the recipient of the 2019 CIP President’s Scholarship. Kacia is an intern with the Adaptation to Climate Change Team (ACT) at SFU, working on the Integrated Climate Action for BC Communities Initiative (ICABCCI). Kacia is currently the co-president of the REM Planning students Association. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Geography from the University of Victoria.
Contact: LinkedIn