Heather Nelson

Heather Nelson is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Humanities, Mount Royal University. She specializes in the history of the Canadian insurance industry, with a focus on public automobile insurance and climate-related responses. Her current research includes a book project on insurance industry adaptations to climate events, and she serves as a certified expert witness on Canadian insurance history.

Education: PhD (McMaster University), MA (University of Winnipeg and University of Manitoba), BAHons (University of Winnipeg).

Research Interests: Dr. Nelson's work bridges historical analysis and contemporary policy challenges. She examines how insurance industries have shaped social equity through access to coverage, particularly via collaborations like the Fair Access to Insurance Roundtable in Calgary. Her scholarship addresses gaps in insurance accessibility for vulnerable populations and the evolving role of insurance in climate resilience.

Publications: Key contributions include a 2024 article in Enterprise & Society analyzing Quebec's insurance markets (1931–1960), and co-chairing the 'Business and Climate' session at the 2024 Canadian Business History Conference.

Engagement: Active in interdisciplinary initiatives, she connects academic research with industry stakeholders to address real-world challenges in insurance equity and climate adaptation.