This past year, SPPGA faculty and scholars achieved significant media visibility with their expert commentary sought in topics spanning from global diplomacy to climate change, nuclear energy, and Indigenous rights.
Nuclear Energy, Waste Disposal & Weapons
Nuclear energy and waste disposal remained a significant theme in media coverage this past year. Prof. M.V. Ramana critically assessed the feasibility of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in various publications, questioning their economic and environmental viability. His insights on nuclear energy’s role in climate change mitigation were featured in CBC, France 24, Salon, and The Tyee. Director Allison Macfarlane appeared on multiple platforms such as CBC and City News, providing crucial insights into the potential consequences of Japan’s release of treated radioactive wastewater from Fukushima. Additionally, she contributed a critique on nuclear waste disposal in Undark Magazine and discussed the limitations of nuclear power as a sustainable solution in The Globe and Mail among others. Prof. Hugh Gusterson gave expert opinion on nuclear weapons in The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists and CBC connected to the release of the popular Hollywood film Oppenheimer.
Politics and International Diplomacy
Prof. Julian Dierkes looked at political issues in Mongolia in East Asia Forum and The Diplomat as well as the diplomatic significance of Pope Francis’ visit to Mongolia in France 24. Additionally, Prof. Maxwell Cameron discussed the state of democracy in Canada in outlets such as BIV, and South American Politics in Global News. Prof. Heidi Tworek dissected the increasingly toxic online environment for female politicians with expert opinion in Chatelaine Magazine and The Vancouver Sun.
Climate Change and Food Security
Climate change, food security and environmental sustainability were frequent topics in media coverage. Prof. David Boyd discussed challenges with the ‘exploitative’ world economy in tackling the climate emergency with The Guardian. Prof. Navin Ramankutty provided expertise on agriculture adaptation due to climate change in The Gazette, focusing on Nova Scotia’s saffron cultivation, while Prof. Matias Margulis discussed global food security and high grocery prices with outlets including Global News. Prof. Sara Shneiderman contributed to an article in The Atlantic on the complexities of climate-friendly disaster recovery following BC’s devastating wildfires.
Prof. Rashid Sumaila’s work on the global fisheries crisis appearing in numerous outlets. His insights were featured in The Hill, The Guardian and Mongabay among others. His Tyler Prize win was mentioned in The New York Times named one of the 100 most influential Africans in NewAfrican Magazine.
