Housed in the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences, the Kinross Chair links the university's interdisciplinary Environmental Governance program with the lived realities of environmental policy and practice. Over the years the Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics has welcomed some of Canada's most respected environmental leaders of our time, and the most recent appointment is no exception.
Julie Gelfand, 2025-2026 Kinross Chair in Environmental Governance, brought energy and inspiration to campus, transforming the way students experience environmental governance. Her vision was more than academic, it was about unlocking potential and opening doors, giving them meaningful opportunities to connect classroom learning with the real-world challenges that individuals who work in the environmental governance industry face regularly.
<Tap tap tap> Is this thing on? Podcasting with Gelfand and friends
One way that Gelfand achieved this was to create a podcast interviewing environment. Through this unique podcasting initiative, Gelfand gave students the chance to sit down with industry leaders, sparking conversations that reached far beyond textbook theory.
Fourth-year students found themselves at the heart of a capstone course that uses real-world debates, challenging and learning from the voices shaping Canada's environment today. Guests such as Senator Duncan Wilson; Senator Rosa Galvez; and the Honorable Jonathan Wilkinson, former Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, spoke with the students over video calls for the podcast experience.
One Geography student claimed, "I am already using the information from my interview to reference in other class discussions. I learned how valuable networking is and the best way to get a job is by keeping your social circle open."
Playing the Fieldtrip – Networking at the PDAC Conference
Gelfand didn't stop there – in March, she whisked 20 students away to the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Conference, a whirlwind of networking, discovery, and growth. From the bustling trade show floor to casual chats with seasoned professionals, students soaked up wisdom and built connections that will last a lifetime. This wasn't just another conference. They were challenged to step out of their comfort zones and see their potential career paths through a new lens.
One of the lucky students who attended the conference noted, "going to PDAC was honestly one of the most valuable professional experiences I’ve had throughout my university experience so far; the part that particularly stood out the most to me was the trade show. It ended up being where I learned the most, simply by talking to people and learning about their roles, and how that plays a part in their larger organizations as a whole."
A Meeting of Minds with McKenna
The third major contribution from Gelfand during her residency created a buzz around the campus. Catherine McKenna, the former Minister of Environment and Climate Change, arrived to deliver a keynote address around the subject of the Future of Conservation. For many, it was a course-defining experience to have a chance to hear firsthand from a leader whose name they'd seen in headlines.
Joining McKenna were experts Sabine Jessen from the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society and Lisa McLaughlin of the Nature Conservancy of Canada. They engaged the room, offering not just insight but inspiration, leaving students with a sense that their voices could actually shape the future of environmental policy.
Together, McKenna and Gelfand reflect, "when you can truly build trust, you can change people's minds, and your own mind might be changed, too. Be respectful, be open, and be true to your values. Communicate them clearly. Don't be scared to talk with people who don't agree. And listen to them. Really listen and ask them to listen to you as well. See if you can find common ground, because you'll be surprised at how often it's possible."
A Resource-filled Residency – Saying Goodbye to Gelfand
Time spent with Gelfand was an energetic period filled with learning from experienced professionals and connecting with industry leaders. This experience fulfilled the Kinross Chair's mission, offering students valuable opportunities to link program concepts with real-world policy and practice. During Gelfand's time with U of G, the students developed skills that will support their academic and professional future. Gelfand's term has fostered confidence in our future leaders, as she encouraged her students with the simple yet impactful message: "Stay curious!"