The Canadian Association of Geographers / Statistics Canada Student Award for Research into Human Impacts on the Canadian Environment

This award is given:

• to an undergraduate student in geography and/or environmental studies/science
• for the best paper examining impacts of human activity on Canada's environment
• by Statistics Canada and the Environment and Resources Study Group of the Canadian Association of Geographers (CAG).

This award was established to:

• recognize and promote undergraduate research on Canada's environment; and
• encourage the use of Statistics Canada's data in the area of environmental analysis.

Winners

• 2008 – Doris Lam, Department of Geography, York University, "Investigating the effects of a spreading consumerist society on the Canadian environment" (PDF, 389 Kb)
• 2006 – Christopher V. Caldwell, Environmental Studies, York University, "Measuring Urban Sprawl and its impacts; examining the need to index sprawl to achieve true sustainability" (PDF, 1.0 Mb)
• 2004 – Catherine Drouin, Département de géographie, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, "Transport des matières dangereuses, dispersion atmosphérique des produits déversés et populations vulnérables : approche géographique pour l'analyse du risque" (PDF, 848 Kb, in French only)
• 2003 – Andrew Stegemann, Department of Geography, Simon Fraser University, "Fish Farming: Choosing the Wisest Course in the Face of Scientific Uncertainty" (PDF, 182 Kb)

The winning student receives:

• a year's membership in the CAG (including the Environment and Resources Study Group);
• an opportunity to present his/her paper in a special session of the CAG national annual conference (or one of the regional CAG conferences) at which a certificate and letter of commendation will be presented;
• a subsidy of $750 towards the cost of registration, travel and living expenses to enable attendance at the CAG national annual conference (or one of the regional CAG conferences);
• nation-wide publication of his/her name on the Statistics Canada and CAG Environment and Resources Study Group Web sites, and publication of a summary of their paper in the CAG Environment and Resources Study Group newsletter; and complimentary copies of the most recent annual and quinquennial editions of Human Activity and the Environment, Statistics Canada's flagship environmental publication.

Eligibility

All undergraduate students in departments of geography and/or environmental studies/science in postsecondary institutions across Canada may apply.

How to apply

Students must submit:

1. A cover letter; and
2. A paper (maximum of 2,000 words) that includes the following:
   • the problem or question studied
   • the design or methodology (including data sources)
   • statistical findings
   • conclusions and a statement of significance.

Students are directed to Human Activity and the Environment as a model for their papers.

See also examples of award-winning essays from past years.

Applications should be sent by e-mail no later than April 15, 2009 to:

Selection criteria include:

• significance of the problem;
• quality of the results;
• general clarity, insight and originality of the work; and
• effectiveness in the use of Canadian environmental data.

For more information, please contact:

• Patricia Fitzpatrick, The University of Winnipeg, (204) 786-9326
• Heather Dewar, Managing Editor: Human Activity and the Environment, Environment Accounts and Statistics Division, Statistics Canada, (613) 951-5220; or
• Yves Saint-Pierre, Manager, University Liaison Programme, Statistics Canada, (613) 951-2858