Sue Hendler

Dr. Sue Hendler was an Associate Professor at Queen's University's School of Urban and Regional Planning (SURP) and cross-appointed to Women's Studies. Tenured since 1993, she held leadership roles including Head of the Department of Women’s Studies (1999-2004), overseeing its transition to an academic department. She earned a B.Sc. in Biology from Carleton University, an M.E.Des. in Environmental Design from the University of Calgary, and a Ph.D. in Planning from the University of Waterloo.

Her research focused on ethics in urban planning, integrating theory and practice, and documenting women's contributions to Canadian planning history. She authored groundbreaking works like Planning Ethics: A Reader in Planning Theory, Practice and Education, and co-edited a posthumously published book on women in Canadian planning. Her teaching emphasized critical thinking, earning nominations for Queen’s highest teaching awards. She blended environmental advocacy, feminist theory, and community engagement, challenging norms in urban development.

Dr. Hendler was known for her unconventional approach: cluttered yet organized office spaces, small-class teaching, and incisive questioning. Her legacy includes fostering interdisciplinary bridges between planning and gender studies, as well as advocacy for ethical urban practices. She passed away in 2009 after a battle with cancer.