ESAC Board of Directors 2018
President
Ryan Katz-Rosene, University of Ottawa
Vice-President
Michael Kenny, York University
Past Co-Presidents
Chris Ling, Royal Roads University
Shirley Thompson, University of Manitoba
Treasurer
Celeste Digiovanni, University of Ottawa
Secretary
M. Fernanda Tomaselli, University of British Columbia
ESAC-L Coordinator
Garrett Richards, University of Saskatchewan
Please contact Garrett via his website (linked above) if you are experiencing issues getting access to the ESAC-L listserv.
Eco-Award Coordinator
Geo Takach, Royal Roads University
Member Retention & Outreach Coordinator
Eric Windhorst, Brock University
Other Directors
Peter Shepherd, Ryerson, JustEarth.net
Jania Chilima, University of Saskatchewan
ESAC and A\J Liaison
Marcia Ruby, Alternatives Journal
Geo Takach
I am an associate prof and head of the online Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication program at Royal Roads University, and also a veteran professional writer, filmmaker, instructor, speaker and communicator. I find the sublime aboard a bicycle.
When/why did you join ESAC?
Impressed by its mandate and its members’ work at the 2010 conference, I joined for good in 2013.
What is your current role at ESAC?
I am a board member who coordinates the revisions to our bylaws and the granting of our ECO-Award.
Why is it worth to join ESAC?
It’s a terrific way to meet simpatico colleagues and to explore diverse perspectives and developments in environmental studies, which many of us see as an essential field of inquiry.
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Eric Windhorst
Eric is a counsellor, teacher, writer, and scholar currently pursuing a PhD at Brock University in the field of social and cultural health studies. Eric’s dissertation work explores how gifted adults experience ecological self (i.e., nature connectedness)—and how such experiences relate to both mental health and pro-environmental behaviour. Eric also operates his own nature-based counselling practice and teaches geography and environmental studies courses part-time at Redeemer University College. You can learn more about Eric and his work through his website: ericwindhorst.ca.
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Garrett Richards
Garrett Richards is a postdoctoral fellow with the School of Environment and Sustainability at the University of Saskatchewan. With an interdisciplinary background, including biology and political science, he is interested in analyzing controversial environmental issues from a diversity of perspectives. He also holds a broad interest in knowledge mobilization, which has led him to coach Three-Minute Thesis participants, set up a speakers bureau at the UofS, and help develop an educational video game about climate change. At the moment, his specific research concentrates on climate policy and interdisciplinarity within the academy. In terms of outdoor activities, he enjoys hiking, camping, and canoeing.
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Ryan Katz-Rosene
I am a SSHRC post-doctoral fellow at the School of Political Studies at the University of Ottawa, where I am researching the nuclear energy-climate change debate. I live on a small organic farm in Cantley, Quebec.
When/why did you join ESAC?
I joined ESAC in 2010 in order to participate in the Annual Conference at Concordia University in Montreal. It seemed like a unique network of Canadian researchers focusing on environmental issues and I wanted to be a part of it.
What is your current role at ESAC?
In addition to regular duties as a member of the Board of Directors I serve at ESAC’s representative to the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences.
Why is it worth to join ESAC?
Those academic disciplines with functional professional associations benefit from networking opportunities, a sense of community and cooperative scholarly opportunities. A stronger ESAC will produce larger and better organized conferences, more funding opportunities, collaborative projects and more clout for Canadian environmental research.
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Dave Ireland
Managing Director, Centre of Discovery in Biodiversity, Royal Ontario Museum
I am responsible for developing programs, projects and partnerships that help people understand and conserve biodiversity. I work with everyone at the ROM, from the Department of Natural History, Education, Marketing and Communication, Web and Print Media, and Programs, to all other ROM Centre’s of Discovery, the ROM Governors and the ROM Executive team. My role is help internal teams work with each other toward unified and focused goals, and to represent the Centre of Discovery in Biodiversity with all external partners. >>More about Dave
When/why did you join ESAC?
I joined ESAC in 2013 in order to receive the inaugural 2014 Environmental Community’s Organizer Award and to attend the annual conference. I continued my membership through 2015.
What is your current role at ESAC?
I was the keynote speaker at the 2015 annual conference and am interested in helping ESAC grow its membership within the natural science sector. I think the intersection of social and applied science is important.
Why is it worth to join ESAC?
A stronger ESAC means a better network of people interested in advocating for environmental policy across Canada. Now more than ever there needs to be a unified and powerful voice for nature and human sustainability issues.
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Christina Reinards
Christina Reinards is an environmental communications specialist with international experience developing outreach and advocacy with various non-profit groups to build greater socio-environmental responsibility and sustainability. She completed her MSc in Environmental Decision-Making from The Open University and now endeavours to improve environmental policies and practices in Canada.
When/why did you join ESAC?
I joined ESAC in February of 2015 as I was interested in participating in its last Annual Conference. I also joined because the official journal of ESAC, Alternatives Journal (A/J), means a lot to me and I want to support both. Canada needs to read and share more content like this – and urgently!
What is your current role at ESAC?
I assist with ESAC’s communications to try and ensure it produces clear, consistent and powerful messages to promote environmental excellence in Canada. My latest work includes providing strategic advice for improving both interactivity and content offered via ESAC’s website, as well as how ESAC invites potential members to join its network.
Why is it worth to join ESAC?
ESAC provides a platform to raise the bar on how much reflection and action is needed regarding the restoration and protection of the environment in and beyond Canada. If you have an idea or want ideas, you can both share and learn about them through joining ESAC. You’ll feel inspired to do great things for the planet after you attend one of its conferences, I know I did!
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Kira Cooper
Kira Cooper is a consultant in environmental sector.
When/why did you join ESAC?
I joined ESAC back in 2011 in order to present my research at the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences Conference at the University of New Brunswick. I found the environmental community here so inspiring, that I joined the Board of Directors and became the organizer for the 2012 Annual Conference hosted at the University of Waterloo. It was in recognition of my work facilitating this conference that I was graciously presented with the Eco-Award.
What is your current role at ESAC?
Current Role – ESAC Member at large (I had to step down from the board to make room for new members).
Why is it worth to join ESAC?
Unified by a shared passion for the environment, the ESAC community fosters collaboration amongst a diversity of like-minded individuals. The interdisciplinary backgrounds of EASC members creates a unique opportunity for networking, the development of research alliances, and a forum for discussion on current issues. ESAC is a compilation of voices speaking in unison to the timely environmental challenges our world faces. The more voices that join in this harmonious environmental tune, the further the acoustics will sound through policy, advocacy, and governance.