ESAC Board of Directors 2021-2022

President
Alice Miao, University of British Columbia 

Vice-President
Kira Cooper, University of Waterloo

Treasurer
Celeste Digiovanni, University of Ottawa

Secretary
Christine Beaudoin, University of Ottawa

Trustee
Haley Breanne Everitt, University of Waterloo  

EDID Officer 
Isha Mistry, University of Ottawa

Director of Social Media
Miho Lowan-Trudeau, University of Calgary

Director, Annual Conference Planning 
Nargiza Chorieva, University of Alberta

Member and Retention Coordinators 
Lauren Judge, Wilfrid Laurier University

Raed Abu Hayyaneh, University of Calgary

Director, ESAC ECO Award 
Andrew Heffernan, University of Ottawa

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

Alice Miao

Alice is the Awards & Administrative Coordinator, Faculty of Forestry, University 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 back in 2011 while presenting 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 later organized the 2012 annual conference at the University of Waterloo. 

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 an incredibly collegial learned society that supports transdisciplinary scholarship within the field of environmental studies. Committed to lasting wellbeing for all, this organization is uniquely positioned to bring together sustainability scholars and practitioners from around the world. 

I respectfully acknowledge that I live in the traditional territory of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation.

Celeste Digiovanni

Celeste is a PhD student at the University of Ottawa

When and why did you join ESAC? 

I joined in 2018 when I presented my research for the ESAC crowd at Congress. I found the energy at ESAC to be contagious! Everyone was so kind and inviting, both members and non-members, and I’m so happy to still be a part of this awesome association. 

What is your current role at ESAC?

Treasurer.

Why is it worth it to join ESAC?

Joining ESAC has many benefits. It gave me the chance to meet a group of likeminded academics, professors, and people who are intensely interested in environmental studies. Joining ESAC also helped me network with others in environmental studies across Canada! I was entrusted and elected as a board member, meaning that I have been tasked with relevant experience such as organizing finances, working with banks and financial partners, and helping other board members to budget the events they put on. I would 100% recommend joining ESAC for a fun and educationally stimulating experience.  

Christine Baaudoin 

Christine is a PhD Candidate in Sociology at the University of Ottawa.

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 and 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.

Miho Lowan-Trudeau

Miho is a PhD Candidate at the University of Calgary, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape

When and Why Did you Join ESAC?
I joined ESAC in 2021 after presenting at the annual conference. I wanted to join ESAC to build
community with people engaged in research that supports socioecological sustainability and help
contribute to maintaining an organization that supports environmental studies. Furthermore, my
own research, which includes children’s environments and urban planning, is inherently
interdisciplinary and I enjoy learning from people coming from diverse fields.

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

Why is it worth it to join ESAC?
Being a part of ESAC is a unique opportunity to be a part of an interdisciplinary community of
people that are engaged in diverse research supporting sustainability.

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?

I am Director of Annual Conference Planning Committee 2022.
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.

Lauren Judge (she/her)

Lauren is a PhD Candidate at Wilfrid Laurier University.

I acknowledge that I live and work on the traditional territory of the Attawandaron (Neutral), Anishnaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. The Region of Waterloo is situated on Block 2 of the Haldimand Tract, land promised to the Six Nations, which includes six miles on each side of the Grand River but has been reduced to less than five per cent of this original territory in the over 200 years since, primarily through the loss of land to encroaching settlers.

Raed Abu Hayyaneh

Raed is a PhD Student at the University of Calgary

Raed Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Calgary where I specialize 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?

I am a board member and Membership and Outreach Co-Coordinator.

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.

Andrew Heffernan

Andrew is a PhD Candidate at the University of Ottawa

When and why did you join ESAC?

I joined ESAC in 2020 in order to participate in the conference that was scheduled to be held at Western – though which later became the first fully virtual conference after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. ESAC aligns with both my values, as well as my research interests and being a part of the annual conferences as well as a member of the board has given me an excellent opportunity for collaboration and the sharing of ideas with like minded people.

What is your current role at ESAC?
I am Director of the ESAC Eco-Award.

Why is it worth it to join ESAC?
Being a part of ESAC will give you the opportunity to collaborate with an ever-growing community of individuals based both within academia as well as outside of it, who hold the shared goals of better understanding our natural environments as well as working toward solutions. Whether you are looking for networking opportunities, colleagues to share ideas with, or simply interested in cutting-edge developments in the broad field of environmental studies in Canada, ESAC is for you!

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.