By: Lydia Collas
In photo (from left to right): Lyn Brown, Emilie Jobin Poirier, Lydia Collas, Alison Feist, and Dana Harris
As we near the end of the calendar year, we would like to highlight the success of our students in the Sustainability: Science and Society program and bring attention to the awards and scholarships that they have received. Francine McCarthy, acting Graduate Program Director, is tremendously proud of the students, “We have a terrific group of talented young people interested in a wide variety of projects related to sustainable development. It is great to see that formally recognized with these awards”.
First year student, Lyn Brown, received the Ontario Paper Thorold Foundation Graduate Award which is awarded to a student at Brock University who is pursuing a degree with a focus on environmental studies. Lyn said “This award has allowed me to be able to focus on my studies, and not have to have a part-time job during my schooling. This extra time has let me get fieldwork experience volunteering for different local conservation groups like going electrofishing with the Ministry of Natural Resources, and doing water analysis with the Niagara Peninsular Conservation Authority.”
Lydia Collas, a second year student, was awarded the Brock University Guernsey Postgraduate Scholarship which provides full coverage of fees. Lydia explained, “This scholarship is awarded annually to a resident of Guernsey, in tribute to the island being the birthplace of Sir Isaac Brock. This scholarship has enabled me to have the unforgettable experience of pursuing my Master’s degree in Canada! I was also awarded the Dean of Graduate Studies Spring Fellowship for the Faculty of Social Sciences which is awarded to support research completed in the Spring semester. During this time, I researched and wrote a review paper which I have submitted to a peer-reviewed journal.”
The Ontario Graduate Scholarship is a merit-based award that provides funding for Master’s and doctoral level students at a number of institutions across Ontario. Alison Feist was one of the recipients of this award, “This year 52 students at Brock University received this scholarship based on academic excellence, communication and leadership ability, and research potential. Receiving this scholarship has enabled me to enhance my thesis research in the SSAS program and have the wonderful opportunity of conducting fieldwork outside the province, learning more about collaborative climate change adaptation on the ground.”
Dana Harris’ hometown is Yellowknife, NWT, where she lived before moving to Brock University for the duration of her university studies. Now a second year student in the SSAS program, awards from the Association of Canadian Universities for Northern Studies (ACUNS) have enabled her to conduct research closer to home. Dana explains, “I was awarded the ACUNS Scholarship which serves to promote and assist in the continuation of northern research by northern graduate students. In 2016, I was awarded the Northern Resident award to support the fieldwork I completed that summer. And in 2017, I was awarded a grant by the Northern Scientific Training Program to assist with the transportation expenses I faced travelling to and from my research site. These awards have allowed me to pursue academic research and promote scientific knowledge in my hometown, Yellowknife.”
Emilie Jobin Poirier was awarded the Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council. Emilie said, “This 12-month funding enables me to entirely focus on my transdisciplinary research on climate change adaptation in the Canadian wine industry. Through SSHRC’s support, I have also traveled to other provinces to promote my research and gain a better understanding of the impacts climate change has on grape and wine production in Canada.”
The Environmental Sustainability Research Centre (ESRC) at Brock University launched the SSAS program in September 2014. The program has consistently attracted exceptional students, with an increasing number coming from other provinces and other countries. The ESRC’s Director, Ryan Plummer, reflects on the impact and importance of such scholarships, “Graduate school is about pursuing academic excellence and these scholarships enable opportunities for the recipients to enrich their experience and catalyze their research. The high number and diversity of awards and external scholarship bodes extremely well for the calibre of our relatively young program and I have every confidence this trajectory will continue for years to come”.
The SSAS program is now accepting applications for 2018 entry. For more information and to apply please visit https://brocku.ca/esrc/ssas/.
