Research Governance Model
The Urban Farm Living Lab is governed by a team of advisors that meet on an ad hoc basis to review and vet partnership proposals and ensure Living Lab reporting procedures are followed. The advisory team is an interdisciplinary group of academic and administrative leaders whose feedback on Living Lab proposals and activities is informed by their unique perspectives and expertise.
Advisory Team
Brandy is the assistant vice president of University Business Services at Toronto Metropolitan University. Brandy oversees business operations that support the campus community including the Urban Farm.
Denise is an associate professor and graduate program director in the School of Social Work
Education at Toronto Metropolitan University. Dr. McLane-Davison’s areas of expertise include Black feminist/womanist/Africana epistemologies, Womanist/African-centered pedagogy, and Black spatial/public humanities.
June is a professor and associate Chair, Undergraduate Student Affairs, in the Department of Architectural Science at Toronto Metropolitan University. Dr. Komisar’s areas of expertise include architectural design, history and theory of architecture, and designing for urban agriculture.
Claire is an associate professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies and interim academic director of the Urban Water Research Centre. Dr. Oswald’s research focus is on watershed hydrology and watershed biogeochemistry.
Julia is a research proposal facilitator in the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation at Toronto Metropolitan University. Outside her work, Julia works with The People's Pantry – a grassroots mutual aid organization delivering free meals and groceries to people most affected by COVID-19 in the GTHA.
As sustainability manager at TMU, Sharmilla consults with other Facilities teams and the TMU community to define priorities, identify best practices and develop opportunities to advance sustainability.
As the manager of the Urban Farm, Arlene oversees production, research and engagement at the Urban Farm, including fundraising and stakeholder engagement.
Fiona is the principal academic advisor for the Urban Farm Living Lab, director and associate professor in the School of Nutrition at Toronto Metropolitan University and executive member of the Centre for Studies in Food Security.
