Co-Primary Investigator
Dr. Sinead Earley
Sinead Earley (she/her) is a critical resource geographer and policy studies scholar in the School of Planning and Sustainability at the University of Northern British Columbia. In teaching and research, she integrates themes of energy, policy, and justice with the intent to contribute to more progressive, practical, and equitable solutions in a low-carbon society.
Co-Primary Investigator
Dr. Tamara Krawchenko
Dr. Tamara Krawchenko is an Associate Professor in Public Administration at the University of Victora. Her expertise is grounded in a deep understanding of how governance and public institutions shape the lived realities of communities and regions. She serves as a Strategic Research Area lead with the CFREF-funded Accelerating Community Energy Transformation Initiative (ACET), as Chair of the Local Governance Hub and as a core team member of the Coastal Climate Solutions Leaders program.
Co-Primary Investigator
Dr. Kara Shaw
Kara Shaw is Professor in the School of Environmental Studies, Academic Director of the Transformative Climate Action Certificate and the UVic Sustainability Scholars Program, and a member of the Institute for Integrated Energy Systems—all at the University of Victoria. A political ecologist, she researches and teaches about the social and political dynamics of environmental problems. Her current work, pursued in collaboration with students, fellow researchers, and community partners, explores how energy transitions can support communities that are more just and supportive of ecological, social, and cultural thriving.
Co-Primary Investigator
Katherine Pearce
Katherine Pearce is a member of the Capacity and Leadership Development team at the Community Energy Association (CEA). She holds a BA in Geography and Environmental Planning from the University of Northern British Columbia and a Master’s in Environmental Studies from the University of Victoria, where her research explored how regional collaboration can support local governments in overcoming barriers to advancing climate action. Katherine acts as a bridge between CEA and the research team, supporting the integration of research and practice.
Community Coordinator
Aleah Jordan
Aleah Jordan (she/her) is a Community Coordinator with the Accelerating Community Energy Transformation (ACET) initiative and the Institute for Integrated Energy Systems at the University of Victoria. She completed her BSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering at Simon Fraser University. Her work experiences emphasized the technical, social, and collaborative dimensions of clean energy transitions. In her role, Aleah supports the Northern Regional Energy Dialogues project, fostering relationships with communities, rightsholders, and stakeholders to advance community-driven energy transitions in northern British Columbia.
aleahjordan@uvic.ca
Graduate Student
Meg MacDonald
Meg MacDonald (she/her) is a master’s student in the Department of Geography at the University of Victoria. She has a BA in Environmental Governance from the University of Guelph and her undergraduate research experience focused on decolonizing place narratives and Indigenous histories. Her current research interests include northern energy geographies, energy justices, local energy politics, and mis/disinformation.
Graduate Student
Sara Chitsaz
Sara Chitsaz (she/her) is a PhD student in the Department of Geography at the University of Victoria under the supervision of Dr. Kara Shaw. She has a BA in Sociology from the University of British Columbia, and an MSc in Rural & Environmental Sociology from the University of Alberta. She has research experience in social and economic impacts of, and barriers to, First Nation’s renewable energy in BC, and in Canadian energy utility regulations. Sara’s current research interests lie in the social dimensions of community renewable energy projects, rural and Northern energy transitions, and implications of energy planning for justice.
sarachitsaz@uvic.ca
Graduate Student
Sarah Korn
Sarah Korn (she/her) is a Master’s student in the UVic School of Public Administration. While completing her BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies at the University of Northern British Columbia, Sarah engaged in research around the themes of decarbonization, food security, climate action, networked climate governance, and energy transitions, all within the context of northern BC. Sarah’s current research interests include place-based climate and energy solutions, decarbonization policy interventions, and rural and remote community participation in policy development.
sarahkorn@uvic.ca
