Research

Undergraduate and graduate student research supervision

Masters' project supervisions include:

  • C. Ostrom (MScSM, primary supervisor)
  • H. Wacker (MScPL, second reader)
  • F. Fasih (MScSM, primary supervisor)
  • G. Hilson (MSc, primary supervisor)

Recent ROP and undergraduate project supervisions include:

  • Daniel Ferreira: “Using Remote Sensing to Assess the Environmental Impacts of Oil Development in the Ecuadorian Amazon,” co-supervised with Y. He.
  • Wenwan Lu and Jucia Salvati: “Ecology of the White-Tailed Deer Population at UTM: Possibilities for Trail-Camera Monitoring,” co-supervised with M. Havelka.
  • Olga Tkachenko: “E. coli Monitoring in the UTM Stormwater Management Pond”
  • Christine Palermo, Teresa Didiano, Grissel Crasto, and Adam Niaz: “Ecology and Population Biology of the White-Tailed Deer Population, UTM,” co-supervised with M. Havelka.
  • Jef Fernando, and Kirushanth Gnanachandran: “Ecology of the White-Tailed Deer Population at UTM, Erindale Park, and Riverwood Conservancy”
  • Amrinder Sahota: “Monitoring Stormwater at UTM” co-supervised with A. Iwaniw.
  • Stephanie Ulcar and Ashley Warnock: “The White-Tailed Deer Population of the Riverwood Conservancy and UTM” (Dean’s Award for Excellence in Experiential Learning)
  • Julia Mitrut: Assessment of an Online Learning Initiative: Web-Only Section in ENV100Y5Y
  • Rahul Mehta and Albina Dudchenko: “Event-Based Instability in the UTM Stormwater Management Pond: An Analysis of Road Salt and Water Flux” (co-supervised with A. Iwaniw)

Some international projects that I have been involved with include:

  • Waste-Econ: Integrated Waste Management in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, 1998–2005, Interim Director (Director V. Maclaren), funded by CIDA
  • SEMGIS II: Development of a Soil Erosion Management Geographical Information System for the Loess Plateau, China, 1996–2001, Gender Specialist and Curriculum Specialist (Directors S. Luk and J. Whitney), funded by CIDA
  • Shepell-FGI, “Daily Living” consultant for cross-cultural training, on contract, 1998–2000
  • China Open Cities Project, Minhang (Shanghai Special Economic Zone), Training for Environmental Managers and Professionals, funded by CIDA, administered by Federation of Canadian Municipalities
  • Project VietPro: Urban Environmental Managers for Decision-Makers, Vietnam, funded by CIDA, Directors R. White and J. Whitney, 1993–1998
  • Projet d’Energie Aeolienne au Niger: Wind energy for water pumping and off-season gardening in rural Niger, 1986–1989, funded by CIDA, Director R. Carothers
  • Project Ecoville: Urban Environmental Management, 1982–1986, funded by UNESCO Man and Biosphere Program and IDRC, Director I. Burton

Some recent examples of invited lectures and presentations are:

  • Rawle, F., T. Bowen, R. Hong, and B.W. Murck, Curriculum Mapping Across Disciplines: Strategies Learned From a Multi-Departmental Curriculum Mapping Initiative 50-minute interactive workshop presented at the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE) Conference in London, Ontario, June 21-24.
  • Murck, B.W., A. Nicholson, D. Boyes, and M. Havelka, Journeys: Mapping the World from a Laptop – GIS and Open-Source Mapping as Tools for Global Learning. Presented at “Learning Across & Beyond Borders,” 8th Annual UT Teaching & Learning Symposium, Oct. 28, 2013. My part of the presentation: Understanding Natural Hazards: A Simple Google Earth Assignment for Students from Any Discipline.
  • Introduction to Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands,” UofT In Your Neighbourhood, January 25, 2016.
  • “Volcanoes of the Galápagos,” for UofT In Your Neighbourhood, April 17, 2014.
  • “Canadian Index of Wellbeing,” presented to the Board of Directors, Ontario Trillium Foundation, Dec. 2, 2013 (with B. Dimock and B. Smale).
  • “Web-Option Courses: Top Ten Things to Consider,” 1st Annual Education Technology Workshop, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, May 5, 2011.
  • “Exploring Innovation in Teaching in Higher Education,” Panel Discussion with President David Naylor and the 2010 President’s Teaching Award winners at Teaching and Learning Symposium, Toronto, Nov. 5, 2010 (panel member).
  • “Problems in Gifted Education,” Expert Panel Catharsis Night, Association for Bright Children, Mississauga, Ontario, January 2003–2012 (annually).
  • “Environmental Education Initiatives at Riverwood Park,” for J. Percy, Science Education Seminar, University of Toronto Mississauga, February 2007.
  • “Online Assessments in Blackboard,” UTM Instructional Technologies Seminar, Hazel McCallion Academic Learning Centre, March 2007, with L. Bailey.
  • “The Science Behind the Policy: Global Warming,” Halton Eco-Festival, Oakville, Ontario, March 2007.
  • “Natural Hazard Research and Management in Canada,” Ontario Science Centre, Special guest lecture to introduce the IMAX film Hurricane on the Bayou, September 2007.
  • “Students as Scholars, Researchers, and Teachers: Undergraduate Research and Teaching Projects in the Community: Mississauga’s Riverwood Nature Centre,” Teaching and Learning Symposium, University of Toronto, October 2006
  • “Science Education and Science Centres,” for J. Percy, Science Education Seminar, University of Toronto Mississauga, 2003–2006 (annual).