Martin J Bunch

Dr. Martin J. Bunch is a Professor in the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change at York University, Canada. He serves as Director of the Spatial, Environmental and Action Research (SpEAR) Lab and Treasurer for the Network for Ecosystem Sustainability and Health (NESH), an NGO addressing environment and health challenges globally. His educational background includes a PhD, MA, and BA in Geography from the University of Waterloo and York University.

His research focuses on interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches to address complex environmental and health challenges, emphasizing ecohealth, adaptive management, and systems thinking. Key areas include watershed management, GIS applications in environmental governance, and community resilience in contexts like Chennai (India), Costa Rica, and Toronto. He leads projects funded by SSHRC, the Water, Economics, Policy and Governance Network, and others, focusing on ecosystem services, sustainable agriculture, and urban environmental justice.

Dr. Bunch’s work integrates geographic information systems (GIS), agent-based modeling, and participatory action research. He has published extensively on topics such as climate change impacts, ecohealth pedagogy, and the intersection of water governance and public health. His research emphasizes bridging disciplinary divides to address “wicked problems” in sustainability and human well-being.

• Education:
  • PhD Geography, University of Waterloo
  • MA (Geography), University of Waterloo
  • BA Geography, York University
• Affiliations:
  • York University, Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change
  • Director, SpEAR Lab
  • Treasurer, NESH NGO

His research projects include developing tools for ecological footprint accounting, watershed governance frameworks, and community engagement strategies in slum environments. Dr. Bunch’s work often involves collaboration with NGOs, governments, and international organizations to translate research into actionable policies and practices.