Dr. Johanna Wandel

Biography

Johanna Wandel is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies in Geography Environmental Management at the University of Waterloo. Since joining in 2008, she has led high-impact research in climate change adaptation, focusing on the vital relationship between humans and their environment. Her work specifically addresses vulnerability and adaptation assessments related to climate change, highlighting the challenges posed by anthropogenically induced changes. Her research emphasizes community-level vulnerability assessment in light of climate change stresses across various economic sectors and geographic contexts, advocating for proactive adaptation planning to mitigate anticipated vulnerabilities. Johanna's key areas of graduate supervision include adaptation strategies for climate change and community-based vulnerability assessments. She teaches a range of courses including Geography of Human Habitat, Global Climate Change, Approaches to Research in Human Geography, Resource Management Projects, and Human Dimensions of Climate Change. Through her recent publications, she has contributed significantly to understanding community vulnerability and collaborative climate research in the Canadian Arctic, integrating Indigenous knowledge and policy science to shape effective environmental governance.

Research Interests

Courses