Bridging Law, Storytelling and Sustainability: An Interdisciplinary Journey
By: Vestiana Powell | Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Ashoke Mohanraj (BES ’21) is an environmental advocate, emerging legal professional and storyteller committed to advancing sustainability, equity and environmental literacy. A first-generation Canadian, he chose the University of Waterloo’s for its dedicated Faculty of Environment, world-renowned co-op program and flexible interdisciplinary curriculum. Courses like Water Governance with Rob de Loe shaped his enduring interest in water and ocean advocacy. The program’s balance of social and physical sciences allowed him to explore creative approaches to environmental challenges.
As a student, Ashoke demonstrated early leadership through multiple volunteer and peer support roles, including Peer Mentor, Orientation Leader and Student Ambassador. He also participated in the University’s volunteer delegation to COP24, the United Nation’s annual climate change conference and served as a director for the United Nation’s Association in Toronto, collaborating with city councillors and industry professionals to explore innovative sustainability strategies. These experiences honed his ability to connect research, policy and community action, laying the foundation for his interdisciplinary career.
Since graduating, Ashoke has built a uniquely interdisciplinary career spanning environmental law, policy, education, and storytelling. He is pursuing a Juris Doctor (JD) with a specialization in Marine and Environmental Law at Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law, where he has earned the Elizabeth May Award for Environmental Service and the Dalhousie Journal of Legal Studies Think Tank Award. His legal work includes contributing to international climate security research at Project Ploughshares, leading regulatory reviews for Argoneta’s underwater habitats project across the U.S., Jamaica, and the Bahamas, and supporting legal strategies for Food Secure Canada to improve food justice in northern communities.
Beyond law and policy, Ashoke is the Amazon best-selling author of Pollinator Man and Dolphin Dude, children’s books that promote conservation, climate action and empathy. Dolphin Dude is now being adapted into an animated short film, reflecting his commitment to making environmental literacy accessible and engaging for young audiences. His books have reached over 10,000 people through live readings, exhibitions and conferences, including at the COP15 Biodiversity Conference, and are endorsed by educators and community leaders for their impact.
Ashoke’s leadership and creativity has been recognized through awards including Canada Clean50 Emerging Leader, Corporate Knights Top 30 Under 30 Sustainability Leaders, Nature Canada Volunteer of the Year, and Top 30 Under 30 Tamil-Canadians. He serves on the Board of Directors for Planet in Focus, Canada’s leading environmental film festival, helping shape programming and youth engagement initiatives.
Passionate about interdisciplinary solutions, Ashoke advises students to chase a passion, not a profession.
Embrace uncertainty, think differently and don’t be afraid to walk into a room where you think you don’t belong” he says. ” The truth is you don’t know if there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, but there’s nothing wrong with bringing your own candle and leading the way.”
The Recent Young Alumni Award recognizes Ashoke’s creativity, leadership and tangible contributions to environmental solutions, demonstrating how interdisciplinary thinking and early volunteer engagement inspire meaningful change.
