Education
2015 — 2024 Ph.D. Political Science, University of Ottawa
Subjects: Political Thought and Canadian Politics
2011 — Permaculture Design Course, Permaculture Institute of Eastern Ontario
2010 — 2013 Master of Arts, Geography, Carleton University
Focus on Political Ecology and Land Use Geography
2005 — 2010 Honours Bachelors of Arts, Geography, Minor in Economics
Carleton University
Research and Teaching Interests
Political Theory: Historical Materialism, Social Ecology, Alternative Land Tenure
Political Economy: Land Grabs, Plant Genetic Resources, Canadian Food Systems
Social Research: Critical Pedagogy, Community-Based Research, Local Journalism
Research Experience
2024-10 Research Assistant, Dalhousie University, Sociology and Social Anthropology
Supervisor: Dr. Karen Foster. Coordinating the People and Land Pillar, SSHRC-funded Common Ground Research Network.
2019-10 to 2022-5 Policy Analyst, Seed Change Canada
Developed educational documents to assist farmers through CFIA’s regulatory process for the development of new crop varieties. Represented SeedChange in CFIA, Health Canada, and Environment Canada consultations on seed policy. Delivered webinars on topics including: crop variety registration, plant genetic resources, and citizen rights around seed saving.
2015-9 to 2018-5 Research Assistant, University of Ottawa, Political Studies
Supervisors: Professors Marie-Josée Massicotte and Ryan Katz-Rosene. Assisted in preparing a peer-reviewed book (Green Meat? MQUP) and a peer-reviewed journal article (Teaching Students to think ecologically about global political economy, see below). Helped coordinate the Laboratory for the Interdisciplinary Study of Food (LISF- LEILA)
2014-3 to 2015-8 Policy Analyst, Phoenix SPI (Ottawa)
Analyzed and interpreted data from public opinion research. Completed various Federal Government program evaluation reports. Conducted survey of provincial online employment surveys.
2013-4 to 2013-11 Research Assistant, Professor Heather Meanzies
Worked privately with the author to conduct research for Reclaiming the Commons for the Common Good published by New Society Press.
2011-6 to 2013-4 Research Assistant, Carleton University, Geog & Env. Studies
Supervisors: Professors Patricia Bellamingie and Jill Wigle. Prepared a literature review on urbanism and informal development and co-organized a scholarly tour of Ottawa Greenbelt. Assisted in the creation of Just Food Ottawa’s Community Food Hub.
2011-4 to 2012-1 Policy Analyst, Canadian Youth Climate Coalition
Participated in a youth climate delegation to the UNFCCC-COP17 in Durban, South Africa. Tracked negotiation progress focusing on Canada’s delegation. Conducted analysis to inform campaign action and advocacy. Wrote blog posts and op-eds on developments during negotiations.
2003-5 to 2003-9 Field Research Assistant, NL Dept. of Forestry
Collected tree core samples and forest gap data for the Canadian Model Forest Survey.
Teaching Experience
2018-3 Guest Lecturer, University of Ottawa, Political Studies
Lectured on food sovereignty and community-based research
2016-3 Guest Lecturer, Algonquin College, Horticultural Industries
Lectured on permaculture design in organic farming systems
2015-9 to 2018-12 Teaching Assistant, University of Ottawa, Political Studies
Assisted in the delivery of courses on the subjects of: Canadian politics, political economy, and the politics of globalization.
2014-2 Guest Lecturer, Carleton University, Geog & Env. Studies
Lectured on the permaculture design for a course in environmental studies.
2014-4 Guest Lecturer, Carleton University, Geog & Env. Studies
Lectured on environmental social movements
2012-3 Guest Lecture, Carleton University, Geog & Env. Studies
Lectured on the subject of political ecology.
2010-9 to 2013-5 Teaching Assistant, Carleton University, Geog. and Env. Studies
Assisted in the delivery and occasionally lectured in courses on economic geography, human geography, cultural geography, and globalization studies.
Other Professional Experience
2015-3 to present Organic Horticulturist, Ottawa and Kespukwitk
Established three and operated four different market garden operations. Grew a diversity of organic vegetables for market and community supported agriculture boxes. Conducted market research on hops production in eastern Ontario that was shared regionally by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture. Used organic and agroecological production practices, including successful organic certification.
2012-10 to 2015-8 Project Manager, Kitigànensag GSA Community Garden
Used permaculture techniques in the design of a community garden for graduate students at Carleton University. Oversaw project management for the construction of garden infrastructure. Engaged with Indigenous students and elders on inclusion of Indigenous horticultural practices. Led workshops on various topics pertaining to horticulture.
2007-8 to 2010-5 Co-operator, Sonianda Sofia Workers Co-operative (Umi Cafe), Ottawa
Collaborated in the management and operations of a cafe, garden, and arts space. Received training on cooperative development.
Volunteer Work and Academic Service
2024-4 to present Local Politics Reporter, The Lunenburg Barnacle
2023-6 to present Co-operator, Common Ground Grower Co-operative,
Sulieweykitk-New Germany, Mi’kma’ki-Nova Scotia.
Collaborative farmers market by small-holder farmers in the New Germany area.
2018-4 to 2019-3 Chief Steward, SCFP-CUPE 2626, Ottawa
Handled member grievances and arbitration cases. Won campus-wide collective agreement non-compliance challenge. Co-organized popular education campaign about workers rights.
2017-9 to 2018-3 Co-organizer, uOttawa Political Science and Public Policy Student Conference, Ottawa
2017-6 to 2018-2 Board Member, Ottawa Food Policy Council
2016-9 to 2018-4 Co-organizer, Thought for Food Conference, Ottawa
2016-9 to 2017-3 Co-organizer, Colloque des diplômé(e)s en science politique de l’Université d’Ottawa
2012-9 to 2013-3 Co-organizer, Graduate Student Political Economy Conference, Ottawa
2011-5 to 2011-9 Co-organizer, Climate Justice Conference, OPIRG-Carleton
2009-9 to 2013-7 Co-Founder and Co-organizer, Permaculture Ottawa
2009-3 to 2014-5 Writer and Photographer, The Leveller, Ottawa
2009-5 to 2012-5 Treasurer, Ontario Public Interest Research Group-Carleton
University
Scholarships and Awards
2016 & 2017 Excellence Award – University of Ottawa
2016 & 2017 Ontario Graduate Scholarship
2015 Graduate Scholarship – University of Ottawa
2012 Douglas Fullerton Graduate Award in Urban Studies2011 Graduate Scholarship – Carleton University
