Donald Betsy

Donald Betsy is a Professor in the Department of Geography and Planning at Queen’s University, serving as Associate Vice-Principal (Research). Her work focuses on economic geography, urban policy, and sustainable food systems. She holds degrees from McGill, York, and the University of Toronto. Betsy has over 50 publications and has been a Visiting Scholar at Harvard, Cambridge, and Kwansei Gakuin University. She currently edits the Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society. Her research explores urban governance, austerity policies, and the sharing economy, with a particular interest in North American cities. Key projects include studies on urban austerity regimes and the disruptive impact of Uber. Betsy has secured SSHRC grants and won the Governor General's Academic Gold Medal. She advises on food systems, creative industries, and rural revitalization, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to socio-economic challenges.

Education:

• B.A. in History (McGill University)
• M.E.S. in Environmental Studies (York University)
• M.Sc. in Planning (University of Toronto)
• Ph.D. in Geography (University of Toronto, 1999)

Research Interests: Dr. Donald’s research integrates urban political economy with cultural and environmental perspectives. Her core areas include:

• Cities: Urban policy, governance restructuring, and austerity urbanism (e.g., Toronto’s governance shifts post-1990s)
• Food: Sustainable food systems, creative food economies, and industrial foodscapes (e.g., the rise of organic farming and food distribution networks)
• Rural Economies: Main street renewal, creative industries in small towns, and slow-growth adaptation (e.g., Prince Edward County’s arts-driven development)

Awards & Grants:

• Governor General's Academic Gold Medal
• SSHRC-funded projects on the sharing economy and austerity policies

Advising & Public Engagement: Betsy collaborates with policymakers and communities on projects like the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC). Her work bridges academic research with practical solutions for urban and rural challenges.