Every spring and fall, we profile just a few of our amazing graduates in our Convocation keepsake. We proudly feature these stories here on Dal News. Congrats to all our new graduates!
鈥淪ustainability research by its very nature is interdisciplinary. I don鈥檛 think there was anywhere else for me,鈥� says PhD graduate Jeff Wilson, who reveals that he fell into ecological economics before he had even heard of the field.
鈥淢y areas of study聽鈥� ecological economics and sustainability research聽鈥� don鈥檛 fit in neat little boxes,鈥� says Wilson, who has worked as a sustainability practitioner for a diverse selection of research and management groups including Anielski Management Inc. (which advises cities across Canada on environmental strategies) and Hampton and Hampton Consulting (which specializes in aboriginal issues).
Wilson completed his bachelor鈥檚 degree in environment and resource studies at the University of Waterloo, and his master鈥檚 degree in international development studies at Dalhousie.
Having now finished his doctoral degree 鈥� an interdisciplinary degree in conjunction with the School for Resource and Environmental Studies 鈥撀� Wilson is passionate about the potential of ecological economics to revolutionize how both society and individual households are managed. 聽
鈥淢any of the defining issues of our time are sustainability related,鈥� he says. 鈥淥ur research effort and innovative spirit must address these challenges. Our economy, our social fabric as a nation and our personal well-being depend on the health and resiliency of our natural environment.鈥�
Understanding communities
Wilson鈥檚 most recent research, funded by his Killam Scholarship, addresses different types of communities, their greenhouse gas emissions, their consumption patterns, and links between these factors and the happiness of individuals.
鈥淭he continued pursuit of an unlimited economic growth agenda threatens the health and stability of global ecological systems,鈥� he says, elaborating on his findings that the environment cannot support current economic patterns and that higher levels of consumption do not make people happier.
Peter Tyedmers taught Wilson ecological economics when the recent graduate began his master鈥檚 in 2003. After thoroughly enjoying the class and continuing to work with Dr. Tyedmers, who advised him as both his MA and PhD supervisor, Wilson now teaches ecological economics to a new generation of students a decade later.
鈥淚 often think back to that experience [in Dr. Tyedmers鈥� class] when teaching to try and recreate that magic dust,鈥� he says.
Dr. Tyedmers says that Wilson exemplifies a great PhD student because of his passion and commitment to understanding his field of study. 鈥淭he fundamental aspect of Jeff鈥檚 research,鈥� explains Dr. Tyedmers, 鈥渋s that he does not just adopt the narrative of sustainability that鈥檚 out there in the broader culture but he critiques it.鈥�
鈥淗e wants to make contributions to our understanding of the environmental consequences of our lifestyles and make a contribution to our methods,鈥� says Dr. Tyedmers, adding that Wilson has identified new ways of quantifying the ecological footprint of smaller communities and regions.
Working together
Currently teaching part-time as an assistant professor in the College of Sustainability, Wilson has plenty of ideas for future avenues of research, including focusing on the environmental impact of income and improving data collection for local scale analyses.
Despite his busy schedule, long list of publications and award-winning academic history (he鈥檚 also the recipient of NSERC and SSHRC grants and a Governor-General鈥檚 Gold Medal), he makes sure to take time out for his family.
鈥淚 did not get here without a lot of support and love and an occasional kick in the butt,鈥� he says, thanking his partner, Suling, and their sons among a long list of colleagues, professors and friends to whom he is grateful.
Wilson鈥檚 thank-you list is a reminder of the collaboration he so strongly supports.
鈥淲e need people to work together. Young leaders, problem solvers and academics need to bridge disciplines and be comfortable communicating and contributing in different forums.鈥�