Environmental Science / Environmental Studies

University of the Arctic (UArctic)

Nipissing University is a member institution of the University of the Arctic (UArctic), a global higher education and research network with more than 200 institutions and organizations.

UArctic activities are organized by thematic network. Nipissing MES/MESc students interested in Northern Tourism can apply to take courses offered by this thematic network, either as electives in their MES/MESc plan of study or as separate complimentary skills and knowledge development. Courses are offered in English by three host institutions (University of Lapland, University of Oulu and the University of Iceland). With supervisory approval, students can take up to two courses to count towards their MES/MESc degree. Taking all three courses provides students with a certificate of completion, a value added ‘addition’ to their Master’s degree at Nipissing University. 

Courses offered by the Northern Tourism program include:

• Sustainable tourism development in northern environment (online)
• Northern tourism:  performances and experiences (online)
• Graduate Field course: northern tourism in practice (in person)

For more information on UArtic’s thematic network on Northern Tourism, please see the link below or contact Dr. Pat Maher, Dean of Teaching, Nipissing University.

• UArctic - University of the Arctic - Thematic Network on Northern Tourism

For additional information on UArctics’ Study Catalogue, check out

• UArctic - University of the Arctic - UArctic Study Catalogue

Masters of Environmental Sciences (MESc)

Students choosing the MESc program will typically have a background in one of the core disciplines within environmental science or related fields (e.g. Ecology, Environmental Chemistry, Geosciences, Atmospheric Sciences, Physical Geography, Engineering, Physics).  Current faculty supervisors with research programs in the environment and natural sciences span the study of biotic, abiotic and chemical processes, from the molecular to landscape scale; often integrating core disciplines with techniques-based skills development (geomatics, remote sensing, computer modeling, data visualization, analytical chemistry) and interests in resource management. Working at the interface of the natural world and human impacts, we regularly collaborate with government, industry and/or community partners.

Masters of Environmental Studies (MES)

Students choosing the MES program will typically have a background within environmental studies or a related discipline (e.g. History, Human Geography, Anthropology, Indigenous Studies, Political Science, Sociology, Philosophy).  

Hydrology and Water Governance

Faculty focus on water from a range of perspectives.

• Physical Hydrology: April James, Colin McCarter, Dan Walters
• Wetlands: John Kovacs, Colin McCarter
• Water Quality and Governance: Reade Davis, Carly Dokis, April James, John Kovacs, Colin McCarter, Dan Walters
• Fisheries (social and cultural dimensions): James Abbott, Reade Davis

Northern and Precambrian Shield Environments

Supervisory Faculty offer a focus on place-based research in Northern and Precambrian Shield Environments.

• Forest ecology: Jeff Dech, John Kovacs, Peter Nosko
• Wildfire: Jeff Dech, Peter Nosko
• Dendrochronology: Jeff Dech, Kirsten Greer
• Species at Risk and Biodiversity: James Abbott, Reade Davis, Kirsten Greer 
• Precambrian Shield Lakes and Rivers: Reade Davis, Kirsten Greer, April James, Colin McCarter, Dan Walters 
• Social Ornithology (human-bird relationships): James Abbott, Reade Davis, Kirsten Greer
• Green Chemistry: Mukund Jha
• Agriculture in Northeastern Ontario: John Kovacs, James Murton, Dan Walters 
• Northern Tourism & Education: Pat Maher
• Other Relevant Faculty: Katrina Srigley, Nancy Stevens

Environment and Health 

Faculty supervisors work at the interface and interaction between environment and human health. Their research focuses on understanding the role of environment in human health and well-being and disease: the impact of the natural environment on health (e.g. climate change, air, water and soil pollutants and improving health and quality standards); the built environment and impact on health and well-being (e.g. occupational health, urban planning for healthy living, health behaviours and policy) and communicable diseases (e.g. environmental epidemiology, living standards and disease control).

• Faculty: Odwa Atari, Steven Arnocky, Carly Dokis, Pat Maher, Dan Walters, Veronika Williams.

Environmental History 

Environmental History is the historical study of past environments, human-environmental relations in the past, and the origins of environmental movements.

• Faculty:  Reade Davis, Carly Dokis, Robin Gendron, Kirsten Greer, Toivo Koivukoski, James Murton, Katrina Srigley, Nancy Stevens

Political Ecology, Social Movements, and Environmental Policy

Faculty and students in the Political Ecology, Social Movements, and Environmental Policy cluster examine the ways in which social, political and economic power at the local, national, and/or global level shape the relationships between human communities and the more-than-human environment. Key topics of interest include:

• The Social and Cultural Dimensions of Climate Change: James Abbott, Reade Davis, Carly Dokis, Kirsten Greer, James Murton 
• Ecological Imperialism: Reade Davis, Carly Dokis, Kirsten Greer, Toivo Koivukoski, James Murton, Katrina Srigley
• The Politics of Preservation and Conservation: James Abbott, Reade Davis, Carly Dokis, Kirsten Greer, Robin Gendron, Toivo Koivokoski, Pat Maher, James Murton
• Food Security and Food Sovereignty: James Abbott, Reade Davis, Carly Dokis, Kirsten Greer, James Murton
• Extractive Industries & Society: Reade Davis, Carly Dokis, Kirsten Greer, Robin Gendron, James Murton
• Resource-dependent Communities/Rural Livelihoods: James Abbott, Reade Davis, Carly Dokis, Robin Gendron, Kirsten Greer, Katrina Srigley, Nancy Stevens
• Science, Technology, and Society: James Abbott, Reade Davis, Carly Dokis, Kirsten Greer, Toivo Koivokoski, James Murton

Indigenous and Decolonialization Research 

Nipissing University researchers engage in a broad range of work using innovative methods and practices to better understand the deep history, culture and ideas of our region. For example, theoretically, settler accountability understood through the lens of Indigenous and decolonial scholarship participates in the larger effort to respond to the truth and reconciliation calls to action.

• Faculty: James Abbott, Reade Davis, Carly Dokis, Kirsten Greer, James Murton, Katrina Srigley, Nancy Stevens, Dan Walters

Nipissing University researchers understand that complex environmental challenges at the local and global scale can best be examined through multiple perspectives. Many of our researchers work collaboratively on interdisciplinary research projects, bringing together methodologies across the natural sciences, health and social sciences, and humanities as a way of providing greater explanatory power. In addition to research collaboration, some of our faculty members co-teach and co-supervise students interested in combining scientific and social science approaches with the humanities (i.e. history, art-creation, philosophy) as part of their graduate work.