Education for a sustainable tomorrow
The School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED) is unique in Canada, and possibly the world, in its focus on the intersection of environment and sustainability, on one hand, and business and development on the other. With programs in sustainability management, international development practice, environment and business, local economic development and social innovation, SEED is dedicated to developing the knowledge, tools and expertise to integrate business and development with environmental and social goals. Learn more about SEED!
News
Congratulations Dr. Neil Craik for being awarded for their work in international law literature
Congratulations to Dr. Neil Craik who's book, Liability for Environmental Harm to the Global Commons (Cambridge University Press, 2023), was awarded the 2024 Canadian Council on International Law’s Scholarly Book Award. The Award recognizes the work of Canadian scholars of international law that makes a substantial contribution to international law literature.
Congratulations Bethany Potl for being awarded for environmental advocacy
Bethany Poltl, an undergraduate student in the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development, was recognized as one of Starfish Canada’s Top 25 Environmentalists Under 25 in 2024; an award program that celebrates and rewards young leaders for creating positive change in their communities.
School of Environment, Enterprise and Development is delighted to welcome Professor Julie Bernard
The School of Environment, Enterprise and Development is delighted to introduce Professor Julie Bernard, who brings her expertise in sustainable finance as part of the SEED faculty starting January 2025. Professor Bernard’s research centers on sustainable finance, responsible investment, and shareholder activism, with a focus on the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria and their role in addressing climate change.
Professor Bernard completed her Ph.D. at Université Laval in 2022 and was a postdoctoral researcher at Ivey Business School, Western University (2022–2024). During her postdoc, she worked in collaboration with Carolinian Canada on Conservation Impact Bonds through the Sustainable Finance Lab under the supervision of Pr. Diane-Laure Arjaliès. Her research aimed to understand and facilitate the replication and scaling of innovative financial products designed to support nature-based carbon mitigation.
Professor Bernard’s work has been funded by organizations such as Carbon Solutions @ Western and the Canadian Academic Accounting Association (CAAA). She has also been recognized as a Bertram Scholar by the Canadian Foundation for Governance Research. During her doctoral studies, she was selected for the prestigious 12th PhD ARCS Academy for her groundbreaking research on sustainability. Additionally, she was named to the #Thinklist Next21, which highlights the next generation of doctoral researchers shaping the future of responsible business.
We look forward to the contributions Dr. Bernard will bring to our department and her continued work on sustainability initiatives that will benefit both the academic and broader communities.