I am a SSHRC doctoral candidate in environmental psychology at the University of Victoria (UVic). I hold an undergraduate degree in psychology (University of Winnipeg), a masters degree in resource management and environmental studies (University of British Columbia), as well as a 2-year accredited certificate in post-secondary teaching and education (UVic). For my doctoral research I focus on human attitudes toward other species, and associated human behaviour, especially in the context of wildlife conservation and the global wildlife trade, as well as pet-keeping, and ecotourism. I also work on topics pertaining to the environmental impacts on mental health, including climate anxiety, ecological grief, and hope. I am a graduate student fellow of the Animal and Society Research Initiative at the University of Victoria. I have volunteered extensively with the BC SPCA (Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).
I helped establish the Psychology Graduate Student Council (PGSC) at UVic, and served as co-president for our inaugural 2 years. During that time I also worked for 2 years as the Teaching Assistant Consultant in the psychology department, training and mentoring TAs. I served as faculty support for online teaching and pedagogy and hosted monthly teaching seminars. I have taught hundreds of students across multiple Canadian universities, and mentored college and graduate students, supporting them in the successful completion of programs, theses, and dissertations.
My teaching and research are informed by my professional and community experience in public health, business, non-profit, and academic settings. As an experienced interdisciplinary research professional, I specialize in social-environmental topics, mental health, outdoor retail and recreation, and applied sustainability management.
Currently I work and study out of Vancouver and the lower mainland, Vancouver Island, and southern Manitoba.
Education
PhD candidate (2018 – Present)
Environmental Psychology
University of Victoria, Victoria BC
*SSHRC scholar
Supervisor: Dr. Ulrich Mueller
Committee members: Dr. Lynne Jackson (Western), Dr. Rosemary Collard (SFU)
Knowledge Mobilization Certificate (2022)
York University
Graduate certificate (2020)
Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (2 year, Accredited)
University of Victoria, Victoria BC
Master of Science (2017)
Resource Management & Environmental Studies
University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC
*SSHRC scholar
Thesis: Content and prevalence of environmentalist stereotypes in Canada: A psychological perspective
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- Pagani Scholarship in Sustainability: Outstanding Master’s Thesis (UBC)
- Robert Sommer Award for Best Student Paper (CPA)
Bachelor of Arts – Honours (2005)
Psychology
University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg MB
Thesis: A qualitative analysis of parental coping strategies for their children’s anxiety
Publication: Hiebert-Murphy, D., Williams, E., Mills, R.S.L., Walker, J.R., Feldgaier, S., Warren, M., Freeman, W., McIntyre, M., & Cox, B.J. (2012). Listening to parents: The challenges of parenting Kindergarten-aged children who are anxious. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 17(3): 384-99.