Brenda Parlee

Degrees

B.A. - University of Guelph
MES - University of Waterloo
Ph.D. NREM - University of Manitoba

Short Bio

Brenda Parlee has been working in northern Canada and globally for over thirty years on issues of social and ecological sustainability. She is committed to principles of equity, participation and collaboration in her research program, which involves diverse disciplinary scholars, graduate students, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, governments, environmental organizations and international agencies. She is the Nominated Principal Investigator of a major research project on the interconnections between biodiversity and health () which is supporting 150 Indigenous-led research projects in 28 countries (2022-2027). Other project work focuses on questions of wildlife health and population change, the inequities of the energy transition, climate stress in the Mackenzie River watershed and youth well-being in the Arctic. Her research program focuses on building new knowledge about the ecological and biocultural integrity of our changing planet and creating tools for research, monitoring and stewardship.

Awards and Recognitions

• UNESCO Co-Chair in Collaboration for Biodiversity Conservation and Indigenous Health and Well-being

Active affiliations

Adjunct Professor - University of Alberta

Research Interests

Brenda Parlee's research program is interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary; she is interested in complex questions of social and ecological sustainability that are at the nexus of natural, health and social sciences where transdisciplinary approaches and methods that challenge status quo narratives and governance systems. As the Bieler Chair in Northern Climate change and Sustainability, Parlee is continuing her research program on the interconnections between biodiversity and health wellbeing, and develop new projects and collaborations that build new knowledge in the provincial, territorial norths of Canada and the circumpolar world where the impacts of climate change are being acutely experienced by Indigenous and local communities; and where there are dynamic opportunities and challenges of Arctic sovereignty.

Current Research

Ărramăt Project: is a 6 year Indigenous-led project funded by the Canadian New Frontiers in Research Fund - Transformation. It focuses on building capacity, generating evidence and mobilizing knowledge about the interconnections between biodiversity and health and well-being. Between 2021-2027, the Team will support more than 150 Indigenous-led projects in more than 28 countries, related to 200+ ecoregions and by working in 80 Indigenous languages. Indigenous Climate Solutions is a 3-year project focused on understanding the inequities of the climate change and energy technologies (e.g., lithium mining and hydro-development) and produce examples and innovations in nine regions for a more equitable energy transition. UNESCO Chair Program – Collaboration for Biodiversity Conservation and Indigenous Health and Well-being Tracking Change in the Mackenzie River Watershed was 6-year initiative to build capacity for monitoring in this major Canadian watershed.

Publications