My dissertation research focuses on understanding the current state of (critical) place-based education (Gruenewald, 2003) in the metro-Winnipeg region, and engaging in action research (Greenwood & Levin,2007) with K-12 teachers as they design and facilitate place-base units in their classrooms.

Photo credit: Tim Kopra / NASA

My current scholarship focuses on the policies and practices of climate change education in the Manitoba context. Specifically, I have completed studies on climate change and the Manitoba K-12 curriculum, surveys and interviews with pre-service teachers on their experiences and perspectives with climate change education, and lobbied Divisions and the Ministry of Education to increase content and professional support for the teaching of climate change education.

Photo: Experimental Lakes Area (2023), Ontario, Canada

In the 2024/25 school year I will be collaborating with Educators for Climate Action Manitoba, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and UNESCO Schools, as we design and facilitate professional development for the year. The theme for UNESCO Schools in 2024/25 is ‘Climate Action’ and will culminate in the ‘Be an Upstander Project’ at the CMHR in May 2025.

Photo: Camp Morningstar (2023), Manitoba, Canada

In 2024 Dr. Marc Kuly (Associate Professor, University of Winnipeg) were awarded by Indspire a six-year grant to study the impact of the Winnipeg School Division Build from Within program. This program fast tracks Indigenous high school students into the teaching profession. Our work will include interviewing current and former BFW students and making recommendations to Indspire, Winnipeg School Division and the University of Winnipeg.

Photo credit: Winnipeg School Division

In Fall 2024 I organized a series of webinars featuring different keynote speakers from the University of Winnipeg, Prairie Climate Centre and the public education system, who focused on different elements of climate change education. You can view my presentation which focused on the climate change education in the Manitoba K-12 education system here.