SEDRD Guest Speaker: Dr. Geneviève Metson

The School of Environmental Design and Rural Development (SEDRD) is pleased to host the following scholar whose work bridges sustainability, innovation, and systems transformation. The seminar brings together faculty, graduate students, and community partners to engage in interdisciplinary dialogue on responsible innovation, artificial intelligence, and ecological sustainability.  The seminar will be held in person, and refreshments will be provided.

Dr. Geneviève Metson, Associate Professor.  Department of Geography & Environment, Western University.

Lecture on "Making the Invisible Visible: Rethinking Urban Ecological Sustainability"

Background
As cities confront climate uncertainty and rapid transformation, investment in multifunctional ecological infrastructure is increasingly critical. However, translating academic research into management strategies can be challenging and may require a broader paradigm shift toward deep sustainability.

This seminar explores how interdisciplinary research, systems thinking, and creative engagement can reveal hidden biogeochemical processes shaping urban systems. By examining nutrient flows and resource management across scales, Dr. Metson’s work offers new pathways for understanding food systems, water systems, and waste treatment in urban environments.

About the Speaker
Dr. Geneviève Metson is an Associate Professor at Western University, where she leads the Sustainable Resource Management Lab. Her research combines social and natural science methods to investigate phosphorus management and resource sustainability across scales. Using a systems perspective, she examines how societies engage with food provision, clean water, and waste systems. She earned her PhD from McGill University and qualified as a docent at Linköping University in Sweden.

Who Should Attend?
These seminars are designed for a broad interdisciplinary audience, including:

• Faculty and researchers interested in AI, sustainability, rural systems, animal welfare, urban ecology, and responsible innovation
• Graduate and undergraduate students seeking insight into applied research, digital transformation, and systems thinking
• Professionals and community partners working in agriculture, livestock management, environmental planning, food systems, and sustainability policy
• Individuals interested in the intersection of technology, ethics, and inclusive innovation
• Those curious about how research can be translated into real-world impact through co-development and stakeholder engagement

Whether your focus is rural or urban systems, digital innovation or ecological sustainability, these seminars offer valuable perspectives on how interdisciplinary research can drive meaningful systems change.