Paul Williams

Associate Professor Paul Williams is a cultural and historical geographer affiliated with the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies. His research spans two decades, focusing on place-biography, heritage, and identity, particularly in post-industrial landscapes. He collaborates extensively with senior undergraduate students on projects like the Historical Atlas of the Changing Landscapes of Chaudiere Falls, with upcoming work on LeBreton Flats.

• Education: BAH from Wilfrid Laurier University, MPhil from Cardiff University (Wales), Ph.D. from Queen’s University.

Research Interests:

• Examines how meaning is inscribed in and evolves within places, a concept he terms place-biography.
• Investigates heritage sites that shape local, regional, and national identities.
• Focuses on post-industrial landscapes and cultural memory recovery through collaborative projects.

Publication Trends: His scholarly output emphasizes heritage studies, historical geography, and cultural memory, with recurring themes in post-industrial sites and identity politics across Canada (e.g., Halifax, Ottawa). Publications span interdisciplinary journals like Historical Geography and edited volumes.