Dr. Ryan Bullock, photo supplied
The federal government has announced a major investment in environmental research at The University of Winnipeg, with the appointment of Dr. Ryan Bullock as Canada Research Chair in Human-Environment Interactions. Bullock’s chair is a Tier II award valued at $500,000 over a five-year term.
Using a transdisciplinary approach, Bullock’s team aims to better understand the dynamics of environmental resource governance systems — particularly how societies prepare for and respond to social-ecological crises, economic transition, and environmental change. By examining how Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, governments, and firms perceive, innovate, and adapt to social-ecological changes, the research will help develop policy and train local leaders to sustainably co-manage Canada’s northern regions.
“My research leadership goal has always been to build knowledge and relationships for societal benefit, and conducting applied research to support northern and Indigenous adaptation to environmental and social disturbances addresses a sure and current need,” said Bullock, Associate Professor, Environmental Studies and Sciences. “I am very privileged to have this opportunity to continue working with our community partners, and I am proud to represent UWinnipeg.”
Alongside the chair, UWinnipeg has received funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation and Research Manitoba to open the Environment and Society Collaborative Laboratory (ENSO Co-Lab). This new learning space is designed to support research and knowledge mobilization in environmental and social change, and will include a project room with smart technologies, six workstations, and a resource centre. Users and partners will also have access to a secure online platform containing boreal case information that will be developed over the course of the research.
“Dr. Bullock is an accomplished researcher and is well deserving of this prestigious Canada Research Chair position,” said Dr. Jino Distasio, Vice-President, Research and Innovation, UWinnipeg. “The collaborative research that will take place in the new ENSO Co-Lab directly aligns with our institution’s commitments to sustainability and Indigenization. We look forward to the research and training from both this chair and learning space.”
This is the third Canada Research Chair awarded to UWinnipeg’s Environmental Studies and Sciences department, following Dr. Charles Wong’s chair in Ecotoxicology (2008 – present) and Dr. Jacques Tardif’s chair in Dendrochronology (2002 – 2012).
The University currently hosts five chair holders:
- Dr. Charles Wong — Canada Research Chair in Ecotoxicology (Environmental Studies and Sciences, Chemistry)
- Dr. Jeff Martin — Canada Research Chair in Fundamental Symmetries in Subatomic Physics (Physics)
- Dr. Christopher Wiebe — Canada Research Chair in Quantum Materials Discovery (Chemistry)
- Dr. Angela Failler — Canada Research Chair in Culture and Public Memory (Women’s & Gender Studies)
- Dr. Ryan Bullock — Canada Research Chair in Human-Environment Interactions (Environmental Studies and Sciences)
A reception in honour of Dr. Bullock will be held on Friday, January 12, 2018 at the UWinnipeg campus (Room 2M70) from 12:30 – 1:30 pm.
MEDIA CONTACT
Adam Campbell, Communications Officer, The University of Winnipeg,
P: 204.988.7671, E: ad.campbell@uwinnipeg.ca
