Past Project Team Members
Sarah Jackson joined POLIS in May 2008 as a research assistant focussed on water governance and legislation. Sarah is currently studying law at UVic, with interests in environmental justice, sustainable development, dispute resolution and immigration law. She has an interdisciplinary background, with a Bachelor of Science in Global Resource Systems from UBC. She participated in an exchange and field studies in Australia, and worked as a researcher in Uruguay on a pilot project to evaluate water rights and distribution. She has work and volunteer experience in environmental education, and volunteers with the Victoria Intercultural Association. She is also a research collaborator with the law faculty as part of the ArcticNet project on climate change.
Jennifer Wong worked with the POLIS project from May 2008 to June 2009, after completing an undergraduate in Political Science that focused on the politics of freshwater at the University of Victoria. Jennifer has worked as the WaterSmart coordinator at the Regional District of Nanaimo and assisted as a summer student on the Capital Regional District's Waterwise program and is the 2008 recipient of the CWWA's Steve Bonk Scholarship. She has a passion for putting theory to work on the ground and researching innovative strategies for water sustainability.
Dr. Keith Ferguson recently graduated with a Law Degree from UVic. His focus is on environmental law, and has worked in this field with the Government of the NWT in Yellowknife, and with the Sierra Legal Defence Fund in Vancouver. While at UVic, Keith was a member of the WSP Team and co-author of "The Future in Every Drop and At a Watershed".
Sarah Dickie joined the POLIS Project on Ecological Governance for a term position from June to September 2007, working on the Water Sustainability Project and POLIS. She comes from a History and Linguistics background, and had just completed a Bachelor of Arts at UVic. She has worked with the Le,nonet Project at UVic as a student mentor and community internship student and also worked as a volunteer with the Native Student's Union at UVic.
Heather Johnstone was part of the POLIS project from October 2002 to September 2003 in the capacity of research and administrative assistant. Her work at POLIS involved a wide range of activities from researching and producing written material for the UVic Sustainable Campus Initiative, to assisting in organizational development activities, as well as assisting with various publications of the Urban Water Demand Management project. Heather received her BA in Anthropology with a minor in Environmental Studies from the UVic in April 2001.
Natasha Kisilevsky came on board with POLIS as a first-year law student at UVic from May to August 2004 to assist with the Water Sustainability Project. With two years of undergraduate science and math, a BA (McGill), MA (Toronto) and PhD work (UBC) in ancient natural philosophy and philosophy of science, and professional experience in publishing, she has been gathering research skills while making her way west across Canada. Fascinated by the intersection of science and social policy from an environmentalist perspective, she was ecstatic to be part of the POLIS team. Natasha is a commuter cyclist and avid mountain biker.
Tony Maas joined the POLIS Water Sustainability Project in March 2003. He contributed to many of the WSP publications as a researcher, editor and author. As author of What the Experts Think: Understanding Urban Water Demand Management in Canada, he surveyed over 20 water experts with the goal of developing a deep understanding of the major barriers to demand management in Canada. Tony holds a diploma in Environmental Technology from Fanshawe College in London, Ontario and a Bachelor of Environmental Science from Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC. Currently, Tony is completing a Masters in Planning at in the School of Planning at the University of Waterloo where his research focuses on water governance. In 2007, Tony accepted a position as a Senior Water Policy Advisor with the World Wildlife Fund in Ontario.
Adam Mjolsness joined POLIS Water Sustainability Project as a research assistant in 2003. During the 2003/4 academic year, while completing his final undergraduate year in Biology and Environmental Studies at UVic, he assisted with the research and production of What the Experts Think. Most recently Adam researched water sustainability issues in the Okanagan region of BC and is co-author on A New Path to Water Sustainability for the Town of Oliver, BC - Soft Path Case Study (February 2007). When he's not moonlighting as a professional treeplanter, Adam's hobbies include improving his off-the-grid home in the Kootenays, exploring the Purcell mountains, and seeing new places on his touring bicycle.
Ellen Reynolds joined the Water Sustainability Project at POLIS as communications director in April 2004 after completing the Harvey Southam Graduate Diploma in Professional Writing and Editing at UVic. She has a BA from Dalhousie University in Halifax, NS and, prior to returning to university in 2002, she worked for over 10 years in the non-profit sector as a project coordinator, researcher and writer for organizations working on health, social justice and environmental issues. Ellen also has work experience as a journalist. She accepted a position as Communications Director at the Canadian Women's Health Network in the fall of 2007.
Elizabeth (Liz) Wheaton provided secretarial and administrative support for all POLIS (and its predecessor, the Eco-Research Chair of Environmental Law & Policy) activities from October 1996 to February 2004, at which time she moved to UVic's Law School. Liz can now be found "administering" the Law Graduate Program and, if not there, tending her cottage garden.
Kathy Zaletnik joined the POLIS Water Sustainability team in 2005 after having completed a Master of Science degree in Water and Environmental Planning at the University of Toronto. Her research focused on water reuse within the framework of water soft paths. Kathy has worked in Toronto’s municipal water department as well as at an international organization called ICLEI, which works with local authorities on various environmental issues including water. While at ICLEI, she participated in the World Summit on Sustainable Development in South Africa. Her undergraduate degree is in international development with a focus on the environment and she worked at the United Nations Environment Program in Mexico City. She speaks 4 languages.
Zoë Barrett-Wood joined the Water Sustainability Project as a summer intern from July to August 2009 to research the opportunities and challenges of urban rainwater harvesting. For September, 2009, she is returning to her fourth year of an Environmental Sciences degree at the University of Guelph, with an Environmental Geography major and Ecology minor. She has diverse interests, including water governance, urban planning, aquatic biology, film, acting, and journalism. She works for her university's Sustainability Office, writes a weekly environmental column in the school paper, and leads a group called Tap In! that works to minimize bottled water consumption on campus. Before beginning her work at POLIS, Zoë filmed a documentary on Canadian water issues. She had a wonderful time at POLIS and looks forward to future collaboration with the incredible people she met there.
Shawn Courtney worked as a research assistant at the Water Sustainability Project from June to September 2009. His research focused on several areas: water scarcity and conservation initiatives in major Californian cities; the connections between Integrated Resource Management and effective water governance; and best practices in water supply management, pricing, and conservation. He also supported the communications and outreach efforts of the WSP. He graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Victoria, which led to a placement as an Intern with the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. He also provided media-monitoring services for POLIS on a volunteer basis in 2008. Just like Susanne, he likes to ride his bike everywhere.
Ellie Stephenson joined the POLIS team for a term from May to September 2009 while completing the final year of her BA in Environmental Studies and English. As a research and administrative assistant with the Water Sustainability Project, her work included researching and writing on best practices for soft-path water management and providing outreach support for the publication "Setting a New Course in British Columbia -- Water Governance Reform Options and Opportunities". She also works with an environmental education program for kids and volunteers for an adaptive recreation society.
Susanne Porter-Bopp joined POLIS in August 2006 after completing a Master of Environmental Studies degree at York University. Her work with the Water Sustainability Project at POLIS focuses on enhancing water conservation capacity in various communities across Canada through water soft path planning pilot projects and the development of practical tools for local governments, including Water Conservation Planning Guide for British Columbia's Communities. She is also leading Action H20, a multiple-year national project that seeks to develop leadership for water conservation in grassroots communities and local governments across Canada (in partnership with Sierra Club Canada and Sierra Club BC). As a current associate with Waterlution: A Water Learning Experience, Susanne coordinates and facilitates workshops on local water issues for youth and young professionals across British Columbia. Susanne is actively involved in community radio and other local media and likes to ride her bicycle everywhere.
Elizabeth Hendriks joined the Water Sustainability Project in the Spring of 2009 to help engage local governments in comprehensive water conservation planning. She will be working with the Community Water Coordinator to facilitate the WSP Water Conservation Workshop Roadshow. Prior to working on the WSP Elizabeth was the Research Associate with the University of Waterloo managing “Building toward Water Efficiency” a two year project examining the role of the building industry in implementing water efficiency. She is also actively involved in the Canadian Water Resource Association and Waterlution – A Water Learning Experience.
Brad Densmore joined the POLIS Project on Ecological Governance in September 2010 and provides communications support to the Water Sustainability Project, articulating and disseminating policy research and providing capacity for outreach and engagement. Additionally, Brad is a contributor to Water Canada Magazine, where he provides a BC perspective on water policy issues. Prior to joining the Water Sustainability Project, Brad spent eight months working for the City of Campbell River’s Sustainability Department, where he contributed to public outreach initiatives and policy development. In 2011 Brad will be set to graduate from the University of Victoria with a BA in Political Science, and a Minor in Professional Writing and Journalism.
