海角社区

Development

Oliver Coomes: I am seeking prospective MA and Ph.D. students听to undertake research as part of my research program on peasant livelihoods, resource use and poverty in the Peruvian Amazon. Specifically, I seek a Ph.D. student with a background in agriculture, peasant economy and livelihood studies as well as remote sensing and prior field experience in Latin America to study floodplain agriculture.听 The MA student would work with a large data set of communities and households on topics related to livelihoods, poverty traps, and conservations. 听Students would be expected to pursue external funding opportunities (e.g., SSHRC, FQRSC, Commonwealth Fellowship, etc.). 听Please send me a copy of your CV, transcripts and a brief statement of research interests.

Yann le Polain de Waroux:听I am seeking 1-2 Master鈥檚 students, starting in the fall 2018, to integrate into my research program on agricultural frontiers in South America. The students will examine changes in livelihood activities and migrations in smallholder communities of the South American Gran Chaco affected by the expansion of commercial agriculture. I am looking for students who are fluent in Spanish, and have training in statistics and GIS. Because this project will involve extensive fieldwork (3-4 months) in remote areas, students should have demonstrable fieldwork or travel experience in developing countries. Initial funding should be available (to be confirmed); students will be expected to seek additional funding. If you are interested, please visit and send me the information specified there. You may also contact me with ideas of other themes that intersect with my research interests (as described on my website), but in that case, you will be expected to pursue external funding.

Brian E. Robinson:I am interested in hearing from potential masters or PhD candidates interested in quantitative work on coupled human and natural systems. In particular I may take on 1-2 students interested in exploring how grassland management institutions can mitigate shocks and impact livelihood outcomes. This work is international and field-based, and the successful candidate must have demonstrated experience an interest in these type settings. Please see further information for prospective students and other project details on. Some initial funding may be available, but students are expected to additionally pursue external sources of support.

Sarah Turner: I am interested to discuss graduate opportunities with prospective students wishing to work in Asia, especially Vietnam and southwest China. Fieldwork experience or extensive travel in a developing country/countries is essential. For China, intermediate language skills are needed. Currently I am particularly interested in taking on students with research interests and prior knowledge (broadly) in the fields of livelihoods, food security, extreme weather events, agricultural change, or rural land use change as they pertain to ethnic minorities. I am also interested in informal economies in urban areas in Asia. Those with a broader background/interest in Asian studies are also encouraged to contact me - please do so with a suggested theme/topic (see my publications for possible overlaps in interests). Visit my for further details, and note carefully the information that I would like you to send me with your initial email enquiry.

Earth System Science

听(adjunct professor in Geography):听I am looking for a PhD student in the area of Earth system modelling of recent and future climate change.听 Possible projects include: (1) modeling land-use change and its impact on carbon sinks, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change; or (2) developing a model to represent Northern peatlands and their contribution to contemporary greenhouse gas budgets.听 Both projects would involve the development and use of an Earth system climate model, so some experience with computer programming, modelling and data analysis is required.

Nigel Roulet:I am looking for two to three Doctoral and/or Masters' students and one or two post-doctoral fellows to work on various aspects of the links among hydrology, biogeochemistry and ecosystem functions, with a focus on peatlands and forested catchments in the temperate to Arctic regions.听听 These positions broadly address the following research questions:

• How permafrost thaws in peatlands and how that will affect the quantity and quality of dissolved organic carbon export in the Arctic?听 When permafrost thaws the Arctic landscape may become much more hydrologically dynamic.听 Greater active layer depths are going to expose carbon deposits that were previously inactive.听 Does the thaw lead to greater carbon export and will the composition of that carbon change, thus affecting downstream aquatic ecosystems metabolism. (4 year PhD position or M.Sc. positions).
• How do patterns on peatlands form and what feedbacks are involved?听 There are a number of modelling efforts that have approached simulating northern peatlands as complex adaptive systems.听 However, there has been very little evaluation of these dynamic peatland models.听 Further, the models are currently quite limited in what they can simulate.听 Our model, the Holocene Peatland Model (HPM), is currently a one-dimensional model that could be expanded to three dimensions to look at the development of patterns and processes in peatlands.听 In particular, I am interesting in understanding how hummock and hollows, and pools, ridges and flarks form in northern peatlands.听 This research would likely include a substantial field component to develop the necessary functions for the inclusion of patterning in HPM. (4 year PhD position or M.Sc. positions).
• Can we use the measurements from eddy covariance systems in combination with various remote sensing platforms such as MODIS, Hyperion, and Radarsat-II to develop algorithms to estimate the present day carbon exchanges between remote northern peatlands and the atmosphere?听 Can we develop methods to assimilate remotely sensed data to provide more direct inputs to peatland models? (4 year PhD position or M.Sc. positions).听
• What are the relationships among nitrogen retention, export and saturation and what are the links between dissolved organic and inorganic nitrogen and carbon in forests?听 We have been working on the runoff and seasonal hydrology of seven nested basins at the Mount Saint Hilaire (MSH) nature reserve east of Montreal.听 This is a particularly interesting set of catchments because MSH is covered with a relatively pristine old growth temperate forest but is located in an area of some of the highest nitrogen deposition in eastern North America.听 It is, therefore, a great place to test some of the hypotheses related to N and C export and the forms of N export related to inputs. (4 year PhD position or M.Sc. positions).
• What is the current exchange of CO2 and CH4 between the atmosphere and the Hudson Bay Lowlands and what is the potential fate of the large store of carbon in the HBL, the world鈥檚 third largest peatland complex, in scenarios of future climate?听 We have a research project in partnership with several other universities and the Ontario Ministries of Natural Resources and Environment to address these questions.听 This work would include analysis of the measured exchanges from eddy covariance towers in the HBL and the use of the observations to evaluate and develop further the 海角社区 Wetland Model (MWM) and the wetland-version of the DNDC model.听听 (2 year PDF position).

Environmental Management

Gail Chmura: My research is focused on tidal salt marshes and biogeography of coastal organisms. I welcome applications from M.Sc. or Ph.D. candidates interested in these topics particularly as it relates to the value of salt marshes as carbon sinks.

I am currently interested in applications for MSc and PhD students to conduct research as part of three projects.听 Two positions (one MSc and one PhD) are available through the Fish + Forest Project to examine the land cover changes around the habitats of endemic fishes.听 One PhD position is available through MAC13 to examine landscape scale modelling of aboveground biomass from airborne hyperspectral imagery from Costa Rica and one MSc or Phd position is available through the MBASSS project to examine the spectral variability of a peatland ecosystem from in-situ data and airborne and satellite imagery.听 Students interested in these opportunities should consult the project descriptions and more details about the requirements posted on my website.

Brian E. Robinson: I am interested in hearing from potential masters or PhD candidates interested in quantitative work on coupled human and natural systems. In particular I may take on 1-2 students interested in exploring how grassland management institutions can mitigate shocks and impact livelihood outcomes. This work is international and field-based, and the successful candidate must have demonstrated experience an interest in these type settings. Please see further information for prospective students and other project details on . Some initial funding may be available, but students are expected to additionally pursue external sources of support.

Sarah Turner: I am interested to discuss graduate opportunities with prospective students wishing to work in Asia, especially Vietnam and southwest China. Fieldwork experience or extensive travel in a developing country/countries is essential. For China, intermediate language skills are needed. Currently I am particularly interested in taking on students with research interests and prior knowledge (broadly) in the fields of livelihoods, food security, extreme weather events, agricultural change, or rural land use change as they pertain to ethnic minorities. I am also interested in informal economies in urban areas in Asia. Those with a broader background/interest in Asian studies are also encouraged to contact me - please do so with a suggested theme/topic (see my publications for possible overlaps in interests). Visit my for further details, and note carefully the information that I would like you to send me with your initial email enquiry.

GIS & Remote Sensing

Renee Sieber: I welcome students who are interested in the intersection of civic engagement and computational technologies, for example in participatory GIS, citizen science, engagement in climate modelling, and geospatial ontologies. These projects can either be highly computational or highly social theory/digital geography-based.

What I have funding for (2020-2022) is one to two graduate students to assist in a SSHRC project, called Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the Rest of Us. This research project builds a new model of public (civic) engagement in government decision making processes that are increasingly automated with AI. The challenge for public (non-expert) participation is that AI systems like automated decision making (ADM) require highly sophisticated knowledge; the systems have complex software architectures and they are opaque (a 鈥渂lack box鈥�). Our model and deliverables (e.g., surveys, workshops) hope to advance the knowledge on public engagement with AI up to and including a level of technical empowerment. That is a difficult challenge so we co颅-conduct this research with civil society organizations (CSOs), who possess a successful track record in evaluating technological innovations in government (e.g., initiatives like smart cities, software like geographic information systems, and digital data like open government data). This research is therefore grounded in the lived experience of CSOs and the theoretical and interdisciplinary knowledge of academics.

Montreal is an excellent based to conduct this research. It a major research centre of Artificial Intelligence, with Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute (MILA), Facebook AI Research Lab, and Google DeepMind Montreal, as well as the Montreal AI Ethics Institute.

You could conduct research that analyzes the rhetoric and proposals for meaningful civic engagement in AI development and deployment by the public and private sectors:听

• Based on existing annotated bibliography, synthesize the role of civic participation as referenced in the Fairness, Accountability and Transparency in Machine Learning (FAccT/ML) literature.听
• Compare the role of civic participation found in FAccT/ML to participation articulated in other information and communications technologies (ICTs). These may include analytic systems (e.g., climate models and GIS), data that might train the AI (e.g., open government data) and political systems that might accommodate ADM (e.g., smart city public private partnerships).
• Develop a preliminary model of AI-enabled civic participation.听

OR You could explore the potential for civic information and technical assistance nonprofit organizations to serve as a bridge to meaningful engagement in AI

• Scan the grey literature for CSOs and grassroots groups in North America who provide civic tech, data literacy consulting OR who serve as representatives of the public on digital economy/AI ethics boards, task forces.
• Synthesize the role of CSOs and grassroots groups referenced in the ICT-enabled participation literature.听
• From the literature, identify the durable challenges faced by CSOs and grassroots groups organizations in building/retaining tech capacity as well as conditions conducive to ICT adoption. Also identify opportunities and challenges in sustaining participation.
• Look for past questionnaires/surveys of nonprofit ICT capacity.
• Design a questionnaire/survey that empirically identifies opportunities and challenges of ICT usage/dissemination and pretest the instrument.听

I am currently interested in applications for MSc and PhD students to conduct research as part of three projects.听 Two positions (one MSc and one PhD) are available through the Fish + Forest Project to examine the land cover changes around the habitats of endemic fishes.听 One PhD position is available through MAC13 to examine landscape scale modelling of aboveground biomass from airborne hyperspectral imagery from Costa Rica and one MSc or Phd position is available through the MBASSS project to examine the spectral variability of a peatland ecosystem from in-situ data and airborne and satellite imagery.听 Students interested in these opportunities should consult the project descriptions and more details about the requirements posted on my website.

I am currently accepting applications for funded graduate research from motivated students at the PhD and Master鈥檚 levels. Potential research topics are in the areas of micromobility services and human activity patterns as well as social and computational models for preserving location privacy. Please visit the website for more information on graduate opportunities.

Land Surface Process Studies

Gail Chmura: My research is focused on tidal salt marshes and biogeography of coastal organisms. I welcome applications from M.Sc. or Ph.D. candidates interested in these topics particularly as it relates to the value of salt marshes as carbon sinks.

Michel Lapointe: I am open to considering听students for projects that have to do with remote sensing of river ecosystems听and the mosaic formed by their various types of wetted听habitats (hydraulic, sedimentary, thermal,听etc.)

Tim Moore:听I seek a motivated graduate student, ideally at the PhD level, to engage in a research project entitled 鈥楺uest for understanding wetland carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus sequestration in agricultural landscapes鈥� recently funded by the NSERC Strategic Projects program. The project is headed by Dr. Irena Creed (University of Saskatchewan) and includes Dr. David Lobb (University of Manitoba), Dr. Sherry Schiff (University of Waterloo), Dr. Charles Trick (Western University) and Dr. Tim Moore (海角社区) along with several collaborators, including Dr. Pascal Badiou (Ducks Unlimited).

The focus of attention will be on the biogeochemistry of wetlands and the stoichiometric relationships between carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus (and other elements) sequestration, using field sites and laboratory studies, to determine the capacity of intact, drained and restored wetlands to sequester carbon and nutrients.

Wayne Pollard: I am currently looking for a Doctoral student to work on thermokarst and the impacts of climate change related landscape processes in either the High Arctic or the western Arctic.

Nigel Roulet: See Earth System Science node.

: I am seeking a PhD or MSc student to conduct research on carbon exchange in marsh ecosystems. Research will involve using micrometeorological and other techniques to study processes resulting in surface-atmosphere exchanges of CO2 and CH4. Find out more about my group鈥檚 activities at:

Political, Urban, Economic, & Health Geography

Sebastien Breau: Prospective students interested in pursuing research projects dealing with middle class issues, precarious employment and the spatial dimensions of inequality should contact me for more information about graduate programs and funding possibilities at 海角社区.

Benjamin Forest: I am not accepting new students for the 2025-2026 academic year as I plan to be on sabbatical.

Kevin Manaugh: I am interested in hearing from prospective Master's or Ph.D. students who wish to pursue topics related broadly to my research on 1) urban transport systems , 2) social and spatial justice in North American cities, and 3) motivators and barriers to adopting environmentally sustainable transportation patterns. Please contact me for more information about research and funding possibilities.

Sarah Moser: I am interested in hearing from prospective graduate students (Master鈥檚 or Ph.D.) who wish to pursue topics relating to: 1) the cultural politics of urban development in Asia and the Arab world 2) the construction of various social identities (race, national identity, religion) 3) race and the built environment 4) geographies of Islam. While some funding may be available, applicants should be prepared to seek external sources of funding.

Mylene Riva: I am interested in听prospective graduate students (Master鈥檚 or Ph.D.)听interested in quantitative work on housing as a social determinant of health for Inuit, First Nations, and urban and rural populations in Canada.听In particular, I may take on 1-2 students interested in exploring the impacts of changing housing conditions for health in the Canadian Arctic; the relationships between housing conditions and access to health care, employment and education for First Nations; and the role of housing as a determinant of health for urban and rural dwellers in Canada. Please see further information for prospective students and other project details on ; note the information that I would like you to send me with your initial email enquiry. Some initial funding may be available, but students are expected to additionally pursue external sources of support.

Brian E. Robinson: I am interested in hearing from potential masters or PhD candidates interested in quantitative work on coupled human and natural systems. In particular I may take on 1-2 students interested in exploring how grassland management institutions can mitigate shocks and impact livelihood outcomes. This work is international and field-based, and the successful candidate must have demonstrated experience an interest in these type settings. Please see further information for prospective students and other project details on. Some initial funding may be available, but students are expected to additionally pursue external sources of support.

Sarah Turner: I am interested to discuss graduate opportunities with prospective students wishing to work in Asia, especially Vietnam and southwest China. Fieldwork experience or extensive travel in a developing country/countries is essential. For China, intermediate language skills are needed. Currently I am particularly interested in taking on students with research interests and prior knowledge (broadly) in the fields of livelihoods, food security, extreme weather events, agricultural change, or rural land use change as they pertain to ethnic minorities. I am also interested in informal economies in urban areas in Asia. Those with a broader background/interest in Asian studies are also encouraged to contact me - please do so with a suggested theme/topic (see my publications for possible overlaps in interests). Visit my for further details, and note carefully the information that I would like you to send me with your initial email enquiry.