ESRG Director
Ryan Bullock, PhD
As Canada Research Chair in Human-Environmental Interactions, my recent research focuses on the potential of cross-cultural collaboration in shaping northern economies, communities, and ecosystems. Our team conducts applied research with communities, governments, and industries to increase system responsiveness to environmental and social change, primarily in the forested regions of Canada and Europe. I also work on conceptual/ theoretical questions regarding the human dimensions of environmental resources to better understand how societies respond to social-ecological crises, conflicts and change. My recent publications have appeared in international peer-reviewed journals such as Ambio, Energy Research and Social Science, Environmental Management, and GeoJournal. Beyond the field, I enjoy teaching graduate courses in our Master in Environmental & Social Change program and undergraduate courses for my home department, Environmental Studies and Sciences.
Staff
Bryanne Lamoureux, MES
Hello/Bonjour! My name is Bryanne (she/they/elle/iel), I am a Senior Research Associate with the Environment and Society Research Group. I am originally from a small French town in southern Manitoba. I hold a BA (Hon) in Environmental Studies from right here at the University of Winnipeg, and a Master’s in Environmental Studies from Dalhousie University. My personal research interests revolve around localized forms of food production and distribution, food justice and food sovereignty. My time in this research group is spent managing research project, coordinating ESRG activities, and collaboratively advancing research work with faculty, students, and research partners. I am grateful to be working in a space that contributes to meaningful community engaged research.
Students
Sean Goldstone
After considerable academic experimentation, ranging from urban development, to biology, to psychology, I recently graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a BSc in Environmental Science specialized in forest policy and management. Throughout this program’s multi-disciplinary course work, as well as related work and research positions, I gained an integrated understanding of the linked natural and human environment, which ultimately motivated me to pursue a career centered around natural resource research and policy development. In an effort to realize these career goals, I am now enrolled in the University of Winnipeg’s Master in Environmental and Social Change (MESC) program. My current research examines opportunities and barriers to utilizing natural resource waste as an agricultural and forest soil amendment in Newfoundland and Labrador through the lens of policy learning. This research is nested within the broader Climate Learning and Adaptation for Northern Development (CLAND) project, which aims to fill knowledge gaps that may lead to the enhanced adaptive capacity of Canada’s renewable resource sectors. Through the Environment and Society Research Group, I am privileged to have the opportunity to collaborate and learn alongside inspiring colleagues and mentors working on the CLAND project and beyond.
Alex Ireland
Hi! My name is Alex Ireland (she/her), I am a Masters student with the Environment and Society Research Group. I grew up northwest of Winnipeg in the Rural Municipality of Woodlands and moved to Winnipeg for my undergrad. I hold a BA in Human Rights from the University of Winnipeg and I am continuing my studies part-time in the M.A. stream in Environmental and Social Change program. My research focuses on the self-reflection practices of non-Indigenous partners in Indigenous led community assessment projects. My personal research interests revolve around Treaties and the Treaty relationship and responsibilities, evaluation, solidarity, anti-racism and intersectional feminism. My time in this lab is spent supporting research work for the Myera project and working on my thesis project. It has been great to get to know folks in ESRG and be able to support the research coming out of the group. I am thankful to have a space and community with ESRG to challenge myself, grow my research skills, share ideas, and learn from other researchers!
Kirstin Witwicki
Aaniin, boozhoo! My name is Kirstin Witwicki and I completed my undergrad degree here at the University of Winnipeg in Geography and Indigenous Studies. As an Indigenous scholar, I am interested in decolonial methodologies and wise practices that link Western science with Indigenous ways of knowing to best support community-level resilience and adaptability, while also examining climate-related disaster evacuations within Indigenous communities in Manitoba. I chose the master’s program at the University of Winnipeg because of its interdisciplinary foundations. Working with people from a variety of disciplines and a diversity of worldviews and experiences gives us the best chance of finding creative and effective solutions to the environmental and social challenges that we face today.
Nadeesha Dissanayaka
Hello! / Ayubowan! My name is Nadeesha Dissanayaka. I am a graduate student in my first year at the University of Winnipeg’s M.ENV. in Environmental and Social Change programme. I also work as a Research Assistant in the Environment and Society Co-lab. I am originally from Sri Lanka, which is known as the pearl of the Indian Ocean. I earned my BA (Special) degree in Environmental Management at the Department of Environmental Management at Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. My research interests deal with Environmental governance, Forest Resource Management, and Climate Change. My master’s research focuses on Community-Based Sustainable Forest Resource Management in Canada. Moreover, my first and foremost preference is to enhance the Indigenous Communities’ participation in the decision-making processes. My utmost preference is to enhance the government-Indigenous relationship while ensuring sustainable forest resource management and livelihood development.
Shamim Anowar
Hello! My name is Shamim Anowar, and I am a graduate student in the Master of Arts in Environmental and Social Change program at the University of Winnipeg. I am from a small village in the southern part of Bangladesh. I received my Master of Public Administration and Bachelor of Social Science in Public Administration from Jahangirnagar University in Bangladesh. Since 2019, I have been serving as an assistant director at the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA), a nodal agency for the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency in Bangladesh. SREDA aims to build an energy-conscious nation by promoting sustainable energy and reducing carbon emissions. Additionally, I have been involved with Youth Career School as an instructor since 2021. I am glad to be a part of this interdisciplinary Environment and Society Research Group. My research interests focus on renewable energy, energy policy, bioenergy and forestry, and the energy & environmental policy nexus for supporting sustainable development and creating resilient environments.
Camille Forbes
Taanshi/Bonjour/Hello! My name is Camille Forbes (she/her/elle) and I am a Red River Métis woman from Winnipeg, Manitoba. I am currently in the Master of Environment and Social Change program working towards a Masters of Environment. I have previously completed a Bachelor’s of Enviornmental Studies with a focus on water resources from the University of Manitoba. Throughout my undergrad degree I worked several positions with the federal government relating to Indigenous engagement and consultation. I am looking to build on this work in my research where I will be looking at forest governance, with special attention to the Indigenous perspective.
Tabitha Evans
My name is Tabitha Evans and I am enrolled in the Master of Arts in Environment and Social Change program at the University of Winnipeg. I grew up on the East Coast of Canada, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts (Distinction) with Honours in Sociology from St. Thomas University. My research background primarily concerns neoliberal sustainability initiatives in the agri-food industry. I also hold an interest in the studies of urban development and political ecology. Exploring my role as an environmental advocate is a notable motive behind my research and community engagement. During my time in Winnipeg, I am looking forward to contributing to the CANSTOREnergy project with a distinguished team of mentors and colleagues.
Rebecca Wesselius
Hi! I’m Rebecca Wesselius (she/her), and I’m in the Master of Environment stream of the Master of Environmental and Social Change program. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Distinction) in Ethics and Global Studies from the Augustana campus of the University of Alberta. I am excited to be a part of the interdisciplinary MESC program where I hope to collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds, worldviews, and experiences which offers the greatest opportunity to develop, innovate, and create effective solutions to the environmental and social challenges we encounter today. My research interests concern the intersections of urban forestry and social well-being, climate resilience, and environmental policy.
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