Mike Ripmeester

Mike Ripmeester is a Professor in the Department of Geography and Tourism Studies at Brock University. His research focuses on historical and cultural geography, particularly in areas such as mnemonic landscapes, First Nations histories, and the cultural economy of wine. He is affiliated with the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) and the Niagara Community Observatory.

Dr. Ripmeester holds a PhD from Queen’s University, an MA from the University of British Columbia, and a BA from the University of British Columbia. His research interests include geographies of popular memory, ethnohistory, and the historical relationships between Indigenous and Euro-Canadian communities in 19th-century Canada. He also explores landscape and identity dynamics, private green spaces, and the intersection of wine and cultural economy.

His recent publications, such as Global Iconoclasm: Contesting “Official” Mnemonic Landscapes (2024), critically examine how landscapes of memory are contested through global iconoclasm. This work, alongside Meaningful Pasts: historical narratives, heritage landscapes, and everyday lives in Niagara (2024), highlights his focus on heritage, identity, and community narratives in Niagara. Other recent contributions include analyses of memorial landscapes and contestation, emphasizing spatial politics and identity construction.

No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned in the text. Dr. Ripmeester teaches courses such as GEOG 1F90 (Introduction to Human Geography) and GEOG 4P71 (Research Themes in Cultural and Social Geography). He actively collaborates with research teams at CCOVI and the Niagara Community Observatory, contributing to community-focused studies and heritage development initiatives.