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TMU introduces new Bruce Postdoctoral Fellowship in Environment and Freshwater Policy

Successful candidate to advance freshwater and environmental stewardship in Canada
December 05, 2022

The Faculty of Arts at Toronto Metropolitan University is proud to announce the launch of the new Geoffrey F. Bruce Postdoctoral Fellowship in environment and freshwater policy research. The Fellowship is designed to foster leading-edge research related to the environment and freshwater resources in Canada and the formation of recommendations to generate and shape public policy. This is a unique position and opportunity for an emerging scholar who wants to engage in applied research contributions at the interface of scholarship and public policy.

The Bruce Postdoctoral Fellowship will support one of Canada’s next environment and freshwater research and policy leaders. The candidate should be committed to leading-edge scholarly and policy contributions through interdisciplinary and inter-institutional initiatives, scholarly and policy publications and submissions, contributions to public forums and discussions, and media commentary related to environment and freshwater governance in Canada. 

“This is an exceptional opportunity for a freshwater policy researcher in Canada,” said Dr. Carolyn Johns, Chair of the Bruce Fellowship, and Professor in the Department of Politics and Public Administration at TMU. “Too often, researchers struggle to get the resources they need to do high-impact research - the support offered by the Bruce Postdoctoral Fellowship will generate important research and conversation on freshwater policy.”

“As one of the first donor-funded post-doctoral fellowships at TMU, the successful candidate will further advance the university’s strength in the area of water policy,” said Dean of Arts, Dr. Pamela Sugiman. “With this generous gift, I’m confident that the new postdoctoral fellow will create a tremendous impact on the safeguarding of freshwater resources and the environment generally.”

Building on Geoffrey F. Bruce’s legacy

The Geoffrey F. Bruce Fellowship in Canadian Freshwater Policy was originally established in 2017 by Erika v.C. Bruce in honour of her late husband’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental protection, with particular regards to Canada’s freshwater resources. Since its inception at TMU, 12 graduate students have been funded as Bruce Fellows to undertake research on a wide range of topics related to freshwater policy in Canada. Many Bruce Fellows have gone on to secure positions related to environment and water policy at the federal, provincial and municipal levels and in non-government organizations working on environment and freshwater policy.

The establishment of the Bruce Postdoctoral Fellowship position is a further commitment of Erika v.C. Bruce to supporting the next generation of Canada’s environment and freshwater policy leaders and practitioners.

“I am very proud of what we have been able to accomplish with the initial Bruce Fellowship,” said Erika v.C. Bruce. “I look to enhance our impact and influence on freshwater public policy by creating the Bruce Postdoctoral Fellowship as well, and supporting someone doing innovative and important research that will shape Canada’s freshwater future.”

Apply for the Bruce Postdoctoral Fellowship

Applications for the Bruce Postdoctoral Fellowship will be open until January 6, 2023. Learn more on the eligibility details and application process and on the support provided by the Fellowship below.