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Sonia Wesche is a
Ph.D. Candidate in Geography at
Wilfrid
Laurier
University
. Her research involves a collaborative study of traditional
knowledge and community adaptation to environmental change in
the Dene-Métis settlement of
Fort
Resolution, NWT. In her work she
employs a variety of participatory methods to engage community
members, raise awareness and stimulate discussion about the
future impacts of climate change and resource development. Her research is linked to a broader
interdisciplinary effort that aims to understand how the
natural ecosystem functions and responds to various
environmental stressors, and to enhance the stewardship of
natural resources and the capacity of local residents to
respond to changing conditions.
Through her
B.A. program at
University
of
Ottawa
(Environmental Studies, Geography), her M.Sc. program at
Imperial
College
(Environmental Technology), and broad cross-cultural travel
experience, she has developed interests in community-based
development issues and environmental change. During her
graduate studies she has held several major scholarships, and
regularly presents her work through publications, at
conferences, and as a guest lecturer.
Building
on earlier experiences as a university student representative,
she continues to engage as a student ambassador in various
academic settings. These include the establishment of a
Graduate Geographers Association at
Wilfrid
Laurier
University
, participation as student liaison on the Waterloo-Laurier
Joint Geography Program Committee, and undertaking a two-year
term as National Student Councillor for the Canadian
Association of Geographers (CAG). Recent highlights include
the organization of both academic and student-development
sessions at the CAG conference in 2006 and 2007,
co-organization of a recent symposium on cross-cultural
fieldwork, coordination of an open house with seven
collaborators in her study community, and teaching of a specialized
university course on indigenous environmental management (
University
of
Ottawa
, 2006). She also engages in a range of environmental advocacy and social
justice activities, and has leadership experience as coach and
captain of several athletic teams.
About the SWAAC
Graduate Student Award of Merit
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