ESAC Board of Directors 2022-2023

President
Alice Miao, Government of British Columbia

Vice-President
Kira Cooper, University of Waterloo

Treasurer
Nargiza Chorieva, University of Alberta

Secretary
Christine Beaudoin, University of Ottawa

Trustee
Haley Breanne Everitt, University of Waterloo  

EDID Officer 
Isha Mistry, Stratos Inc., an ERM Group company

Director, Social Media
Anna Soer, University of Ottawa

Member and Retention Coordinator
Simon Appolloni, University of Toronto

Director, ECO Award
Peri Dworatzek, York University

Director, ESAC Web/Listserv/Jobs 
Anderson Assuah, University College of the North 
Please contact Anderson if you are experiencing issues getting access to the ESAC-L listserv.

Board Member at Large  
Mahatab Uddin, University of Southern Denmark

Raed Abu Hayyaneh, University of Calgary

Gabriella Santini, University College London

Alice Miao

Alice is a Business Data Analyst at the Government of British Columbia.

Kira is a PhD Candidate in Social and Ecological Sustainability at the University of Waterloo.

When and why did you join ESAC?

I joined ESAC in 2011 while presenting my research at the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences Conference at the University of New Brunswick. I have had the great pleasure of serving numerous roles on the Board, including Conference Organizer, Secretary, and Vice President. 

What is your current role at ESAC?

I am currently the Vice President and CFHSS liaison of ESAC.

Why is it worth joining ESAC?

ESAC is a collegial learned society that supports transdisciplinary environmental scholarship and local capacity building. Our community welcomes all scholars, practitioners, and community members who are interested in sharing insights that contribute to social and ecological flourishing.

Nargiza Chorieva

When and why did you join ESAC? 

I joined ESAC in 2020 as an Annual Conference Intern at The University of Alberta. As an intern, I learnt a lot from ESAC’s Board Members and enjoyed virtually meeting them. Now I want to continue being a part of this community

What is your current role at ESAC?

Treasurer.

Why is it worth it to join ESAC?

As for a new researcher in Canada, ESAC is a great place to talk to like-minded people, learn from their research and contribute to the environmental research in Canada and worldwide.  

Christine Baaudoin 

Christine is a Postdoctoral fellow, Carleton University

When and why did you join ESAC?

I joined ESAC in 2020 after doing a presentation at the first virtual Congress. As an environmental social scientist, I joined ESAC to create new relationships, join a community of scholars who share a passion for the environment and participate in collective conversations about how to work towards environmental sustainability and justice. As a francophone, I also joined ESAC to help ensure francophones can have a voice in the association.

What is your current role at ESAC?

I am currently secretary of ESAC, one of the Francophone ambassadors and I provide support to the membership and outreach coordinators. 

Why is it worth it to join ESAC?

ESAC provides space for scholars as well as independent researchers and other interested Canadians to network, form new relationships and exchange ideas and knowledge about the environment. ESAC also enables cross-pollination across disciplinary boundaries, supporting collaborative and transdisciplinary discussions and research in environmental science and studies.

Haley Everitt (she/her)

Haley is a PhD Candidate at Western University, which is situated on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, L?naapéewak, and Attawandaron Peoples.

When and why did you join ESAC?

I joined ESAC in 2019 as the Graduate Student Intern and helped organize ESAC’s inaugural virtual conference. When my term ended, I decided to run for a board position so that I could continue to work with this creative and dedicated team of researchers from across the country.

What is your current role at ESAC?

I am the Trustee and a member of the Conference Organizing Committee.

Why is it worth it to join ESAC?

If you’re looking for an opportunity to connect with an interdisciplinary community of scholars dedicated to creating a more sustainable, resilient, and just world, then ESAC would be a great fit for you.

Isha Mistry

I am a Consultant at Stratos Inc., a sustainability and management consultancy located in Ottawa.

When and why did you join ESAC?

I joined ESAC in June 2021. Upon attending ESAC’s conference at Congress 2020, I was inspired by the various session topics and interesting research conducted by professors and students. I was interested in joining ESAC in 2021 after hearing about the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Decolonization Officer posting as I am passionate about incorporating multiple perspectives in environmental decision making, collaborative governance, policy and community initiatives. I am also interested in bridging academia and consulting.

What is your current role at ESAC?

Currently, I am the Officer of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Decolonization. This is a new role for the Board and I am excited to explore the opportunities this role may bring for ESAC and its members.

Why is it worth it to join ESAC?

ESAC is a welcoming and open-minded community of scholars that form a rich network of transdisciplinary research and knowledge. This new role is testament to ESAC’s commitment to a more inclusive and sustainable future and I am excited to be a part of this transformation in academia and beyond.

Anna Soer

Anna is a PhD student at the University of Ottawa School of Political Studies. She is a research assistant at the ??Observatoire des administrations publiques autochtones (OAPA) and at the Observatoire de la politique et la sécurité de l’Arctique (OPSA) on Arctic cooperation, as well as a research intern at The Arctic Institute. She is also employed by the University of Ottawa as a TA (mostly for first year introductory courses which I love) and as the manager of the School’s social media.

When and Why Did you Join ESAC?
I joined ESAC in 2022 after presenting at the annual conference for the second time. My supervisor, Ryan Katz-Rosene, was part of the Board and he was the reason why I presented there the first time around. The second time around, I was asked to present at the first francophone panel, and there I learnt that volunteers were welcomed to help support and organize. With its new bilingual feature, I thought it would be a great opportunity to learn the behind the scenes and put myself a bit more ‘out there’ in Canadian environmental studies as I am an international student and still new here. I have had the chance to help organize other conferences or conventions, such as the Association for the Studies of Nationalities convention with Columbia University or MUNs earlier in my youth, and coordinate social media campaigns. The experience was overall very enriching and I am looking forward to repeating it.

What is your current role at ESAC?
I am the Director of Social Media.

Why is it worth it to join ESAC?
ESAC offers a great venue and opportunity for young and senior scholars to share research and learn from one another within a Canadian context while still maintaining an international outlook. The welcoming atmosphere allows for thought provoking discussions to take place on a wide range of topics across fields. This transdisciplinary nature makes joining ESAC worth it, as this allows for an expansion of knowledge and tools beyond seemingly-airstripped fields or topics.

Director of Annual Conference Planning Committee – vacant

Peri Dworatzek

Peri is a masters candidate at York University in the faculty of Environmental and Urban Change.

When and why did you join ESAC?

After presenting my paper, and chairing a session at the 2021 annual conference. I became a board member to be more involved and active within the environmental studies community in Canada.

What is your current role at ESAC?

Director, ECO Award

Why is it worth it to join ESAC?

ESAC is an active and engaging community within the field of environment studies in Canada. Connecting with fellow researchers and practitioners offers ample opportunities to learn in this growing field.

Simon Appolloni 

Simon is Assistant Professor at the School of the Environment, University of Toronto. He received his doctorate in the Study of Religion, in conjunction with the Collaborative Program in Environmental Studies, School of the Environment, University of Toronto. He has taught at the School of the Environment, Humber College and at Brock University. His current research interest lies in understanding and utilizing pedagogies of hope that build resilience within students as they navigate paths toward sustainability. He maintains his pre-doctoral volunteer work within the environmental-social justice not-for-profit sector.

Raed Abu Hayyaneh

Raed is Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Calgary, where he specializes in Environmental Design. My research interests are the transfer of knowledge amongst different environmental education and nature conservation organizations that target students at school and youth at university and the community surrounding nature reserves (National Parks) in Jordan and Canada. My research was inspired by working with school teachers, students, youth, and researchers at outdoor education programs at nature reserves in Jordan and Canada during the last 15 years. Currently, I am involved in serval organizations researching local communities’ sustainable development. In terms of outdoor activities, I enjoy hiking, camping, and bird watching at national parks.

When and why did you join ESAC?

I joined ESAC in 2019 and had the opportunity to participate and present at ESAC annual conference 2019 in Vancouver. I found out that it is an important hub for sharing, learning, and helping around sustainability in Canada and the world.

What is your current role at ESAC?

Board Member at large.

Why is it worth it to join ESAC?

ESAC is one of the national networks for research exchange and learning for teachers, researchers, environmental awareness leaders, and sustainable development programs in Canada and in the world.

Anderson Assuah

Anderson is an Assistant Professor at University College of the North, The Pas campus, Manitoba

Mahatab Uddin

Mahatab is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Southern Denmark, and an Adjunct Professor, School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, University of Guelph

When and why did you join ESAC? 

In April 2021. Since ESAC belongs to students, researchers, and practitioners coming from diverse aspects of environmental studies, I consider joining ESAC as a nice opportunity to stay connected with scholars working in the field of environment. Besides, I think joining ESAC will give me an opportunity to be informed with the latest research that takes place in the field of environment and sustainable development.

What is your current role at ESAC? 

Board Member at large. 

Why is it worth it to join ESAC? 

I think joining ESAC gives an opportunity to stay connected with students, researchers, academics, and other stakeholders involved in the field of environmental studies. 

Gabriella Santini

Gabriella is a PhD student in Anthropology at the University College London. Her project explores pastoralist-lion relations in spaces of conservation in East Africa. Using new and interdisciplinary research methods from both social and natural sciences, She investigates how conservation policies (often grounded in “people without nature” ideology) impact both people and wildlife.

When and why did you join ESAC?

I decided to join the ESAC in summer 2022 after presenting at the annual conference for the first time. I presented at the ESAC’s first French session and figured the association could use more French-speaking researchers in the field of environmental studies. My friend and colleague from the University of Ottawa was already a board member, and told me that the Association was looking for new members. I thought joining the ESAC would be a great opportunity not only to not contribute a French voice to the table, but also to learn more about the environmental studies context in Canada. I believe Canada, a country economically dependent on natural resources, can and has to become a world-leader in developing creative and holistic strategies to combat the ecological crisis.

What is your current role at ESAC?

Board Member at Large

Why it is worth to join ESAC?

I am eager to learn more from my colleagues who share the same passion as me. The ESAC provides a space to have these conversations, and I hope it will also foster collaboration. It is vital that we collaborate across fields to better understand our changing environment and find ways to make the world we live in a better place for everyone and every (living) thing!