Dr. Laura Taylor is Associate Professor and Planning Program Coordinator in York University's Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change. Her research analyzes nature-environment politics in regional planning, focusing on Toronto's urban-rural fringe and growth management policies. She specializes in Greenbelt planning, climate change adaptation in land use, and political ecology of exurbia. Current projects examine municipal climate action through land-use planning and pandemic-induced exurban migration patterns. Dr. Taylor authored key works on Ontario's Greenbelt Plan and teaches environmental planning, urban ecology, and environmental design. She serves on the Ontario Greenbelt Council and contributes to sustainable urban mobility research.
Belinda Paulovich is a Lecturer in Communication Design at Swinburne University of Technology's School of Design and Architecture. Her research investigates how design can improve health outcomes, wellbeing, and social engagement, with expertise in co-designing solutions with vulnerable populations. Her work focuses on: Health communication for pediatric and aging populations Participatory methodologies bridging design and healthcare Visual tools for health education and civic engagement Technology-mediated social connectivity in communities She has developed frameworks for clinician-designer collaboration and leads projects creating educational resources for chronic conditions and rehabilitation.
Derek Brent Van Berkel is an Assistant Professor of Data Science, Geovisualization, and Design at the School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan. His research focuses on the human dimensions of land-cover/land-use change and ecosystem services, leveraging interdisciplinary methods like spatial analysis, geovisualization, and computational modeling. Education: Ph.D. Spatial Analysis and Decision Support (VU University Amsterdam, 2012), M.S. Human Geography and Urban Planning (Utrecht University, 2007), B.A. Human Geography (University of Calgary, 2004). Research Interests: Combining social theory, big data, machine learning, and spatial-temporal models (agent-based, cellular automata) to address environmental challenges. Key domains include landscape management (ecosystem service tradeoffs), conservation planning (special places identification), and sustainable community development (health & well-being). Publications span topics like urban fringe landowner behavior, recreational ecosystem valuation, and continental-scale landscape analysis using social media data. Current Position: Based at the Program in the Environment, Dana Building, Ann Arbor.
Professor Mark Gibson is a leading academic in media and cultural studies at RMIT University's School of Media and Communication. His research focuses on cultural industries, fringe cultural production, performance comedy, and the historical development of cultural studies. He has authored influential works such as Culture and Power: A History of Cultural Studies (2007) and co-authored Fringe to Famous (2024), exploring post-creative-industries frameworks in Australia. He leads the Australian Research Council project ' Comedy Country: Australian Performance Comedy as an Agent of Change '. Prior to RMIT, Gibson held roles at Monash University (2007–2019), Murdoch University (1999–2006), and Central Queensland University (1992–1997). He served as editor of Continuum: Journal of Media & Cultural Studies for 13 years. His teaching includes advanced research methods and interdisciplinary design courses. His work spans topics like suburban creativity, digital literacies, and cultural policy, with a strong emphasis on marginalized cultural practices and their societal impact. Research projects include investigations into Mexican jazz in the digital age, aphantasia in creative practice, and the role of Indonesian religious influencers. His scholarship bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical studies of cultural production across diverse contexts, emphasizing innovation and resistance in fringe communities.
Derek Van Berkel is an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan's School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) within the Geospatial Data Sciences department. His research focuses on the human dimensions of land-cover/land-use change and ecosystem services using spatial analysis, geovisualizations, and machine learning. Education: Ph.D. in Spatial Analysis and Decision Support, VU University Amsterdam (2012) M.S. in Human Geography and Urban Planning, Utrecht University (2007) B.A. in Human Geography, University of Calgary (2004) His work addresses landscape management tradeoffs, conservation planning for valued places, and sustainable community development. He leverages social theory, big data, agent-based modeling, and spatial statistics to tackle environmental challenges like climate migration and flood resilience. Recent projects include GLISA (Co-PI) for Great Lakes flood resilience and NSF-funded climate migration studies in Lake Victoria Basin and Great Lakes regions. He develops tools like the PPGISr R package for public participatory GIS applications. Van Berkel's interdisciplinary research integrates social media data, LiDAR, and spatial-temporal modeling to enhance sustainability science. His lab at SEAS emphasizes data-driven approaches to landscape conservation and equitable resource distribution.
Caroline Brand is a Researcher in Geography at the University of Grenoble-Alpes, affiliated with the Rural Studies Laboratory . Her work focuses on food systems, food governance, urban planning, and public policy, with specific emphasis on agroecological transitions and territorial reciprocity. She coordinates the Food and Cities module and contributes to multiple interdisciplinary research projects. Academic Background: PhD in Geography (2015), Université de Grenoble-Alpes Master 2 in Territorial Systems and Sustainable Development (2008), Institut de Géographie Alpine Her research explores the intersection of food transitions, territorial governance, and sustainable urban planning. Recent publications analyze food system transformation in European mountain regions, urban food policy frameworks, and land use sustainability. She actively participates in scientific committees for food policy research and thesis supervision. Scientific Contributions: 2024: Conference paper on food network synergies 2023: Special journal issue on European mountain food systems 2021: Comparative study of Grenoble and Caen food transects 2019: Co-authored book on urban food policy frameworks 2017: Research on urban land use and food systems Awards: PhD thesis nominated for CNU-Comité National Français de Géographie award Received highest academic distinction (Mention Très Honorable avec Félicitations) for her doctoral dissertation As a teacher-researcher, she leads modules on food system governance, social science research methods, and urban food challenges. Her practical work includes coordinating international research projects like RECIBIODAL and contributing to Lyon's sustainable food policy development.
Tracy Stobbe is a faculty member at Trinity Western University (TWU) since 2007, affiliated with the School of Business under the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences. She holds a PhD in Economics (University of Victoria, 2008), an MPP (UC Berkeley, 2003), and a BJ (Carleton University, 2000). Her research spans environmental and agricultural economics, focusing on urban-rural fringe dynamics, farmer’s markets, and the intersection of literature and economic thought during the British Industrial Revolution. PhD in Economics, University of Victoria (2008) MPP, University of California Berkeley (2003) BJ Journalism, Carleton University (2000) Stobbe’s work on agricultural land values, hobby farms, and policy options for farmland protection has been published in journals like the American Journal of Agricultural Economics and BC Studies. She also explores the integration of Christian morals with free-market economics through the cross-disciplinary reading group MOMAE and contributes to policy discussions via grants from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and regional governments. Undergraduate Student Research Awards Supervisor (2021, 2022) Institute for Liberal Studies Funding ($7,500, 2019-2022) Center for the History of Political Economy (CHOPE) Participation (2019) SSHRC Grant ($3,000, 2010-2013) Agri-Food Canada Grants (2008-2009, 2005-2008) Phillips, Hager and North Doctoral Scholarship (2006) Stobbe has secured significant grants from agencies like Metro Vancouver and the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands. She also leads the Morality of Markets and Economics (MOMAE) reading group and engages in community outreach through teaching and research collaborations.
Ian Mell is Professor and Head of Division for Planning, Property and Environmental Management at the University of Manchester. His research examines Green Infrastructure (GI) planning, policy formation, and implementation in urban environments, with emphasis on financing mechanisms, community engagement, and climate adaptation. Recent work explores landscape valuation methodologies, equitable access to green space, and nature-based solutions in urban regeneration. Mell's recent publications (2024-2025) analyze green infrastructure standards in England, urban-rural interfaces in China, and transformative approaches to sustainable urbanism. As Chair of Building with Nature Standards Board, he oversees national green infrastructure certification. Mell contributes to UK government consultations on Biodiversity Net Gain policies and leads international collaborations on urban greening strategies.
Prof. Henrik Schultz is a Professor at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Landscape Architecture at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences since 2017, focusing on landscape planning and regional development. He holds a PhD from Leibniz University Hannover (2013) and has extensive experience in co-creative processes and transdisciplinary research. His work emphasizes sustainable urban planning, green infrastructure, and resilient cities through participatory design. Education: PhD in Landscape Planning, Leibniz University Hannover (2009–2013) Studies in Landscape and Regional Planning, Leibniz University Hannover (1997–2003) Research Interests: Co-creative processes, transformative resilience, spatial imagery, and green infrastructure. Key projects include 'Green Fingers for Climate-Resilient Cities' (BMBF-funded) and 'EN ROUTE' (Niedersachsen-funded), exploring sustainable urban landscapes and participatory methods. Key Awards: 2024 Outstanding Educator Award from the European Council of Landscape Architecture Schools. Grants & Projects: Leads projects such as 'Green Fingers', 'Experimentierfeld Dorf', and 'Raumperspektiven ZukunftsLAND', focusing on sustainable spatial strategies and community engagement. Networks: Vice President of ECLAS, BMW Foundation Responsible Leader, and Fellow of the Chinese German Young Professional Campus.
Michela Bonato is an Adjunct Professor at Ca' Foscari University of Venice, affiliated with both the Department of Humanities and the Department of Asian and North African Studies. Her research focuses on political geography, urbanization in China (particularly Chongqing), environmental policy, and cultural heritage management. She explores themes such as spatial discourse analysis, eco-civilization narratives, and the intersection of gender and academic labor. Her teaching includes courses on Chinese culture, geopolitical economics, and tourism innovation. Recent publications analyze urban renewal in China, the political use of cultural heritage, and digital ethnography during the pandemic. She frequently critiques sustainability models and examines soft power strategies through case studies in Chongqing and other Asian regions. Bonato's work bridges theoretical geography with empirical studies, emphasizing the role of spatial narratives in shaping political and economic realities. Her research also engages with global-local dynamics, particularly in contexts of urbanization and environmental governance.
Prof. Ludger Basten is a Professor of Economic and Social Geography at the Technical University of Dortmund's Department of Sociology, affiliated with the Faculty of Social Sciences. His research focuses on urban and metropolitan development processes, planning governance, and suburbanization dynamics, with regional emphases on the Ruhr region, Germany, Canada, and North America. He holds editorial roles for the journal 'Berichte. Geographie und Landeskunde' and co-leads the German Geographical Society's 'City Futures' working group. Education highlights include a PhD from Ruhr University Bochum (1997), habilitation (2004), and visiting professorships at the University of British Columbia. His career spans roles at Ruhr University Bochum, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, and international collaborations in Mexico, Canada, and the U.S. Research interests emphasize postmodern urbanism, governance of suburbanization, and restructuring of Canadian metropolitan regions. Key projects include the 'Global Suburbanisms' initiative funded by Canada's SSHRC. His work bridges theoretical urban studies with applied spatial policy analysis. Notable academic contributions include monographs on urban periphery design and edited volumes on metropolitan governance. He actively engages in international conferences and lectures on urban development trends in Europe and North America.
James Barkley is an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology, Sport & Recreation at Eastern Illinois University. His research focuses on interdisciplinary topics at the intersection of sport studies, urban planning, and environmental policy. He holds a disciplinary expertise in kinesiology and sports sciences. His work explores place meanings through qualitative methodologies, stakeholder engagement in park planning, and the socio-spatial dynamics of recreational spaces. Notable projects include analyses of Grand Canyon park planning and urban-agricultural fringe development. Publications span topics from narrative approaches to social learning in outdoor spaces to the governance of protected areas. His research bridges environmental sociology with sport science, emphasizing community-based participatory frameworks. No academic awards have been listed in the provided information. Supervised work includes one graduate project, though specific details are not disclosed. Office location is 1106 McAfee Hall with contact via phone/fax.
Desheng Liu is a Professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering at The Ohio State University's College of Engineering. With over two decades of research experience, Dr. Liu has established himself as a leading expert in remote sensing, geospatial analysis, and satellite imagery processing. His interdisciplinary work bridges engineering, computer science, and environmental applications. Dr. Liu's research interests primarily focus on remote sensing technologies, satellite mission planning, geospatial data analysis, and privacy-preserving algorithms. His work demonstrates a consistent evolution from foundational remote sensing applications to sophisticated machine learning integration in earth observation systems. Early in his career, he contributed to urban-rural fringe analysis and fractal urban form studies, later transitioning to advanced satellite data processing techniques. An analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on optimization algorithms for satellite mission planning, with significant contributions to bilevel programming approaches for multi-satellite cooperative observation. His work spans medical image segmentation, ecological monitoring, and industrial IoT applications, demonstrating remarkable versatility while maintaining a core focus on geospatial technologies. The interdisciplinary nature of his research is evident in collaborations across environmental science, computer vision, and transportation engineering domains. Dr. Liu has secured consistent research funding and has mentored numerous graduate students who have gone on to publish with him as principal investigator. His research group maintains active collaborations with NASA, USGS, and various international research institutions focused on earth observation technologies. His laboratory specializes in developing advanced computational methods for processing satellite imagery, with particular expertise in sensor anomaly detection, digital terrain modeling, and cross-platform data integration. Current projects include developing AI-driven approaches for environmental monitoring and creating privacy-preserving geospatial recommendation systems.
Martijn Duineveld is an Associate Professor at the Cultural Geography Group at Wageningen University, with a focus on governance, political processes, and climate change. He served as co-director of the Centre for Space, Place and Society (2019-2022) and co-founded the Dutch Network for Climate Obstruction Studies (Climate Obstruction NL). His work explores power dynamics in urban planning, tourism impacts, and fossil fuel industry obstruction of climate policies, combining academic research with public engagement through films and media articles. Key areas of expertise include evolutionary governance theory, urban fringe development, and the intersection of political power with environmental sustainability. He has conducted extensive fieldwork in the Netherlands (e.g., Arnhem, Groningen), Argentina, Uganda, Georgia, and Russia, analyzing conflicts between stakeholders in spatial planning and development projects. Recent research emphasizes climate obstruction mechanisms, tourism sustainability, and innovative spatial strategies. His interdisciplinary approach bridges academic discourse with practical policy solutions, as seen in projects like W*O*L*F* (exposing fossil industry influence) and analyses of post-pandemic urban tourism challenges. Key Projects: W*O*L*F*, Climate Obstruction NL, 'Material Pacification' Uganda case study Teaching: Courses on tourism globalization, critical social theory, and sustainable development Public Engagement: Media contributions, film-making, and policy advocacy His advisory work includes supervising PhD students researching topics like tourism impacts, urban migrants, and spatial planning in Argentina. He emphasizes reflexive governance and institutional innovation to address complex societal challenges.
Dr. Katherine Phelan is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies (GUSS) at RMIT University, based at the City Campus in Australia. Her academic work bridges urban planning, human geography, and policy analysis with a focus on sustainable development, public health, and socio-economic equity. She collaborates closely with local governments and industry on applied research addressing urban growth challenges, greenspace accessibility, and resilient urban systems. Research Interests: Urban planning strategies, human geography, applied economics, public health, peri-urban development, and policy implementation. Current projects include studies on walkable neighborhoods, time poverty in urban sprawl, and water utility roles in greening cities. She has contributed to major policy reports such as Melbourne at 8 Million and Peri-Urban Futures scenarios. Key Publications: Over 15 peer-reviewed articles and commissioned reports focusing on urban sustainability, greenspace equity, and land-use policy between 2014-2019 Collaborations: Active partnerships with Melbourne Water, Spatial Vision, and government agencies Supervision: Specializes in urban planning and social policy research methodologies Her work emphasizes practical solutions for balancing urbanization pressures with environmental and social needs, particularly in Australian contexts.
