Master’s opportunity in Environment and Management on climate change, community-based research, and environmental planning Royal Roads University in Canada

Royal Roads University is inviting applications for a Master of Arts or Master of Science in Environment and Management linked to a collaborative, interdisciplinary research team focused on environmental science, climate change, community-based research, environmental planning, geography, sociology, and psychology.

This opportunity is centered on how emotions shape responses to climate change, rural land-use conflict, food security, coastal change, environmental behaviour, and community planning on southern Vancouver Island, Canada. The research is strongly community-engaged and includes hands-on fieldwork, with topics spanning climate adaptation, land-use pressures, contested environmental issues, recreation facilities in adaptation and mitigation planning, and human-environment relationships.

The call indicates that 7–10 graduate students will be recruited over the next two years. Selected students will complete a full-time graduate degree and a major research project (MRP) within a multi-project research program. The post notes that these are substantively funded graduate research opportunities via a successful SSHRC Insight Grant (2025), with additional support expected through external scholarships and awards such as SSHRC and Mitacs.

Applicants should meet the standard admission requirements for the MEM program and show readiness for collaborative, interdisciplinary, and community-engaged research. Preferred backgrounds include academic writing, community-based research, qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods inquiry, environmental planning, climate change, environmental communication, conflict resolution and negotiation, social and environmental psychology, and human-environment relationships. Relevant community, volunteer, professional, or lived experience is also valued.

The program start dates are September 2026 or March 2027. Deadlines are June 1, 2026 and January 4, 2027. Applicants should be able to reside on Vancouver Island or temporarily relocate there during the field research period.

Questions before applying can be directed to Dr. Sarah Elizabeth Wolfe at [email protected]. In application materials, candidates should indicate interest in the "Vancouver Island and Climate Research Team".