Concordia is an English-speaking University in the vibrant and diverse city of Montreal, Quebec. The Ziter Urban Landscape Ecology (ZULE) lab is based in the Department of Biologyon Loyola Campus - a beautiful green campus in the western part of the city, but within reach of downtown. Students have numerous opportunities to learn and collaborate outside the lab, especially given the presence of 4 universities in Montreal, as well as affiliations with the Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science, Centre d’étude de la forêt and Concordia's Next Generation Cities Institute.
I have diverse interests in the fields of urban ecology, landscape ecology, nature-based solutions, biodiversity science, human-nature relationships, and social-ecological systems, and am always happy to discuss opportunities with creative, enthusiastic, and motivated undergraduate and graduate students. Graduate research projects can be developed with close ties to ongoing research in the lab, or based on particular student interests if applicable to our work and expertise. Research in our lab typically combines fieldwork with laboratory and/or computer analysis, with most data collection occurring in the summer in urban or peri-urban areas. Please take a look through the Research and Publications pages to get an idea of our recent and on-going projects.
Note that our lab does not typically accept regular volunteers, as we strongly believe that paid positions are an important component of achieving a more equitable, diverse STEM workforce (see more in our mentoring philosophy, below). We do occasionally invite volunteers to join us for short-term events (such as community science events or field days). If you would like to be included on a an email list for these opportunities, please let us know.
Mentoring philosophy:
My training philosophy for the ZULE lab is rooted in the Kindness in Science movement, and the feminist reflexive approach of “care-full” research, which emphasize that a scientific community built on reciprocity, respect, and promoting the wellbeing of those we interact with ultimately leads to happier scientists and better scientific outcomes. It is around these values that all lab members continue to co-create the lab culture. Through this kind and care-full approach to training I aim for trainees to leave ZULE appropriately confident in their skills as scientists and mentors, with a deep respect for the people and communities on which our science depends, and with a robust network of colleagues across multiple sectors and career stages.
In ZULE, we prioritize creation of a safe, inclusive, and kind community to promote scientific excellence. This requires actions to overcome EDI barriers including a lack of diverse representation, low stipends, and culture of overwork in field ecology. We pay competitively (avg. grad stipend is currently > 30K/y, double the departmental minimum), including pay and/or course credit for all undergraduate trainees. We prioritize local fieldwork to create opportunities for HQP otherwise excluded from field ecology (e.g., with caregiving responsibilities, health constraints, lack of outdoor experience). To push back against cultures of overwork and undervaluing personal safety, we emphasize a culture of caring and accountability by co-developing lab policies re: field safety, sick days, flexible hours, and vacation. I use my own experience and trainee feedback to provide resources to ensure lab members thrive.
Within ZULE, we focus on the natural sciences and engineering, but engage non-NSE scholars to promote interdisciplinarity and to help us contextualize our work; e.g., ecology trainees may work directly with colleagues in design, political science, or engineering. I prioritize skill-building in scientific techniques, leadership, and communication valuable in and out of academia.
Ready to apply? Check out our opportunities, here.