Interview conducted by Lydia Collas
Photo: Brodie Hague graduated from the SSAS program in 2016
Brodie Hague was amongst the first cohort of students to embark on Brock’s Sustainability Science and Society (SSAS) program. Having graduated in 2016, Brodie is now writing course material for Brock’s recently launched undergraduate minor in Environmental Sustainability. I recently caught up with Brodie to find out a bit more about where the SSAS program had led him.
Q. Brodie, first of all, can you tell me what attracted you to the SSAS program?
A. My eventual thesis supervisor, Dr. Marilyne Jollineau, first introduced me to the SSAS program when I was considering graduate studies. During the completion of my undergraduate degree at Brock University, I became increasingly aware of the University’s respected (and growing) reputation for scholarship, teaching, and learning. In addition, Brock’s unique location within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the ESRC’s transdisciplinary approach to sustainability research and education, and the generous graduate funding package made Brock University the ideal location to pursue my graduate degree in Sustainability.
Q. You were in the thesis stream which requires students to do an in-depth primary research project, what was your research on?
A. My research was on the use of remote sensing technologies to map and monitor coastal dune ecosystems in Southampton, Ontario. In particular, I was interested in the health of the dune system and the spatial and temporal patterns of change in vegetation cover within the dune system.
Q. What is your favourite memory from your time in the program?
A. While I have many fond memories from my time in the program, my favourite memory was when the Lieutenant-Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell visited Brock and invited us to participate in a roundtable discussion on “Social Aspects of Environmental Sustainability” in December 2014. As part of the roundtable, our graduate cohort presented a graduate project and engaged in a discussion with fellow ESRC Faculty, colleagues, and the Lieutenant-Governor.
Q. What are you up to now? How do you think the SSAS program prepared you for doing that?
A. I’m currently employed within the ESRC as both a Research Assistant and as a Co-instructor for the new online course, ENSU 2P01 (Introduction to Environmental Sustainability). In my capacity as a Research Assistant, I assisted in the development of the ESRC’s proposal and budget for eCampus Ontario’s Open Content Initiative. In addition, I’m also the co-project leader for the ESRC’s eCampus Ontario Project, which involves the development and writing of online open module content. This content will also help form the basis for the new online course, ENSU 2P02, Environmental Sustainability in Practice. I am also employed as an Instructor in the Department of Geography and Tourism Studies teaching GEOG 2P07 (Introduction to Geospatial Technologies) and GEOG 3P07 (Remote Sensing).
Q. How do you think the SSAS program has prepared you for the next step?
A. The SSAS program provided me with the knowledge and skills required to develop and teach these courses. In addition, the program provided me with the opportunity to develop networks and collegial relationships among Faculty members which has been imperative in the co-ordinating and implementation of our eCampus Ontario project.
In recognition of Brodie’s excellence as a Teaching Assistant, he was awarded the Novice Teaching Assistant Award in April 2015. Brodie also received generous financial support from the Department of Geography and Tourism Studies for his research. The ESRC is delighted that Brodie has continued on at Brock University following his completion of the SSAS program and looks forward to seeing what the future holds for this very talented alumnus!
