Sophie Wilkinson

Dr. Sophie Wilkinson is an Assistant Professor at the School of Resource & Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University (SFU) since 2023. Her interdisciplinary research focuses on wildfire ecology and ecosystem management, integrating field studies, experimental fires, GIS, and ecological modeling to enhance resilience against wildfires. She holds a PhD in Ecohydrology from McMaster University, with prior degrees from the University of Leeds.

Her work emphasizes understanding wildfire severity patterns and ecological tipping points in Canadian boreal forests and peatlands. Collaborating with the Canadian Forestry Service and land managers, she translates research into practical solutions, including a new fuel moisture index for wildfire danger rating systems.

Key research themes include peatland ecohydrology, climate change impacts, and fire management strategies. She teaches REM 471 (Forest Ecosystems and Management) and is developing a community science platform (iWetland) for wetland monitoring. Wilkinson’s studies highlight the interconnectedness of human activities, environmental health, and wildfire dynamics.

Her publications span over 30 peer-reviewed articles since 2020, addressing topics like peat burn severity thresholds, seismic line impacts on boreal ecosystems, and turtle nesting habitat recovery post-fire. She actively engages with policymakers and communities to bridge academic findings and real-world applications.