Triple honours for EnSciMan PhD grad
President Mohamed Lachemi presents the Governor General Gold Medal to Dr. Amber Grant, who also received a TMU Gold Medal and the Board of Governors Student Leadership Award and Medal at fall convocation. Photo: Harry Choi.
Gold things came in threes for Dr. Amber Grant at fall convocation. The Environmental Applied Science and Management PhD graduate was honoured with a triple crown of the university’s most prestigious awards: the TMU Gold Medal, the Governor General Gold Medal and the Board of Governors Student Leadership Award and Medal.
As the first person in their family to attend university and a former university dropout, the accomplishments were “very emotional” for Dr. Grant, who is “forever grateful” to their supervisors Dr. Andrew Millward and Dr. Sara Edge, as well as mentors, family, friends and community in Philadelphia, where most of their PhD research was based. For their thesis, Dr. Grant explored how environmental justice goals are prioritized and neglected in urban forest planning and practice in the U.S., as well as the socio-political and institutional conditions that influence community-based urban forest stewardship.
What inspires your PhD research?
My PhD research is driven by a deep commitment to understanding and supporting people and nature, living together in cities. I’m inspired by the resilience and creativity of local communities seeking to integrate nature into their urban neighbourhoods to promote environmental justice.
I hope my PhD work contributes to more equitable, green and just urban spaces.
"The supportive environment at TMU allowed me to develop skills in community-based research, facilitation and teaching—skills that will support me in pursuing an academic career."
How did TMU Graduate Studies prepare you to be career-ready?
My supervisors, Dr. Millward and Dr. Edge, really supported my transdisciplinary approach to research. Also, the emphasis placed on community engagement at TMU really shaped how I think about research and practice. During my PhD, I gained hands-on experience working with diverse governance actors, including community organizations, activists, scientists and policymakers. The supportive environment at TMU allowed me to develop skills in community-based research, facilitation and teaching—skills that will support me in pursuing an academic career.
What are your future career plans?
I plan to continue working at the intersection of urban nature and environmental justice, hopefully in both academic and applied settings. I would love to continue doing research and to continue teaching, but I would also love to engage in policy work that brings environmental justice-focused solutions to cities.
Right now, I am a postdoctoral research fellow in the Urban Natures Lab led by Dr. Lorien Nesbitt at the University of British Columbia. Together we are doing community- and practice-engaged research on urban systems using a social-ecological lens. Our lab’s research is focused on environmental justice and planning for resilience using nature-based solutions.
What advice do you have for graduate students?
Trust the process, but also take ownership of it. Graduate school is as much about navigating uncertainty as it is about learning what you can about your chosen discipline. It’s also about making your experience what you want it to be. Surround yourself with people who uplift and challenge you, don’t be afraid to ask for help and remember that your work is not only about you—it’s part of a larger conversation. And don’t forget to celebrate the small wins along the way!
And to future students: Keep asking questions and pushing boundaries.