News

Bria Wong-Armstrong, Chloe Stroh, Prishaa Rajalathan, Sadia Mohammad and Zoraiz Sheikh participated in Map the System, a global learning program and competition that challenges students to examine complex social and environmental issues through a systems lens. After winning the University of Waterloo's Map the System competition, the team earned the opportunity to represent the university at the global finals hosted by the University of Oxford's Saïd Business School.

The impacts of climate change are seen in natural and human systems, and the global sports sector is particularly vulnerable. Kyara Simoes, a recent graduate from the Master of Environmental Studies program, assessed climate change readiness of national-level Canadian sport organizations.

Tracy Tran, an Honours Planning student, reflects on her friendships and how they are one of the lasting benefits of an Orientation experience that helped turn a new campus into a community. 

In July, a Faculty of Environment delegation led by Dean Bruce Frayne and Dr. Simron Singh travelled to Mauritius to assess progress across key research initiatives, strengthen partner engagement, and shape the next phase of implementation for the RECOVER project. 

Congratulations to Samantha Bray, a PhD student in Geography and Environmental Management, for winning the P.E.O. Scholar Award to advance her research focusing on destination stewardship, where public, private and civil sectors collaborate to protect the existing community and environment.

The Government of Canada’s Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) recently announced new grant recipients, with 12 Faculty of Environment researchers awarded funding. Congratulations to Amelia Clarke, Cameron McCordic, Janice Barry, Andrea Collins, Michelle Rutty, Steffanie Scott, Jason Thistlethwaite, Julie Bernard, Leia Minaker, Joe (Zhu) Qian, Stephen Quilley and Nancy Worth. 

Stephanie Saal, a PhD candidate in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management, is researching how snowpack impacts key ecological relationships, and how best to collect this information at a watershed level. In recognition of her academic achievements and innovative research, Saal has been awarded the 2026 Weston Family Award in Northern Research. Valued at $120,000 over three years, the award is presented to outstanding doctoral students across Canada. Saal was one of eight recipients, placing her among the country's emerging leaders in Northern research.

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Jeff Casello will step in as the Interim Director of the School of Planning. Join us in welcoming him and thanking the former Director, Dr. Mark Seasons, for his service.

Dr. Brent Doberstein in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management has been honoured with the University of Waterloo’s Distinguished Teacher Award. Congratulations, Dr. Doberstein!

This spring, four MFC students participated in FCIT 610 - International Field School, travelling to Singapore to explore what is possible when strategic foresight is integrated into urban planning. Lead by Eryn Stewart, the Managing Director of the Future Cities Institute, students were challenged to critically evaluate how Singapore’s strategies could be adapted to Canadian context.