Impact Assessment & Resource Management

I was born in the coastal mining town of Baie Verte, north central Newfoundland, Canada. I completed my undergraduate degree in Geography at Memorial University of Newfoundland, and my Masters degree in Ontario at the University of Waterloo-Wilfrid Laurier University. I returned to Memorial University in 1999 to complete my Ph.D. in Geography, specializing in environmental assessment. In 2002, I accepted a position at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) in the Department of Geography & Planning. From 2022 to 2025 I served as Vice Dean Research, College of Arts & Science - USask's largest college, with over 300 faculty members, 18 academic departments, and 1 school.

I research and teach in the fields of impact assessment (IA) and resource management, with a particular interest in IA for energy transitions.  I am also actively engaged in the professional practice of environmental assessment and have been a consultant or advisor to First Nations and various government agencies and industries including the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada, Alberta Environment, Yukon Environmental and Socioeconomic Assessment Board, Government of the Northwest Territories, Stantec, Nalcor Energy, Manitoba Public Interest Law Centre, Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment, National Energy Board, and the Office of Auditor General of Canada Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development.