The School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability is saddened by the recent death of one of our founding members and former School Directors, Sally Lerner. During her tenure from 1971 (when the School was named Man-Environment Studies) through retirement in 1996 (when it was named Environment and Resource Studies), Sally established a strong focus on social and environmental justice in the School – a focus that is stronger than ever today.
She was the author of an influential early book, "Basic Income: Security for All Canadians" that helped lay the groundwork for the current debate on adopting the concept of a guaranteed annual income as a national policy. Later in her career, she was an active collaborator with her partner, Professor George Francis, building on George’s work in establishing and fostering World Biosphere Reserves as part of an international UN-led program to preserve critically important natural and socio-ecological landscapes.
She championed the one-to-one model of student mentorship SERS became known for and was happiest in facilitating students’ choose-your-own-adventure – she practiced ‘flipped classrooms’ before anyone had invented that term. These students have moved across the planet in a variety of lives and careers ranging from pioneering sustainable agriculture to what became the Right-to-Repair and Maker social movements.
She was a supporter and former Board member of The Working Centre founded by Waterloo alumni Joe and Stephanie Mancini – she loved their dedication to social justice and efforts to help people struggling with poverty and unemployment. This relationship reflects Sally’s impact at UW – she was not just a professor in one unit – she was a mentor across the University in various units and in the original Interdisciplinary Studies degree program. Her passion for teaching was recognized formally when she received the Distinguished Teacher Award (1987).
Most important was the legacy she has left with the hundreds of students who benefitted from her kindness and wisdom. She was a true professor and educator, building a university community and bettering all of our lives.
She died with a sound mind, grace, and dignity in the Waterloo Hospice, aged 90. Sally has a daughter Miriam Deriso and son Daniel Lerner, both in the U.S.
- From her friends and colleagues in SERS, Greg Michalenko (Professor Emeritus), Bob Gibson (Professor), John Jackson (Adjunct Lecturer), and Stephen Murphy (Professor and Past-Director)