Dr. Kelsey Leonard

Biography

Kelsey Leonard is an Assistant Professor and Canada Research Chair at the University of Waterloo, focusing on Indigenous water justice and the climatic, territorial, and governance factors that influence it. Her research emphasizes the establishment of Indigenous traditions in water conservation as a foundation for international water policymaking. Dr. Leonard plays a vital role in safeguarding the interests of Indigenous Nations through environmental planning and integrates Indigenous scientific knowledge to develop new solutions for sustainable oceans. She collaborates with a global team of water law scholars and has published extensively, including work in the Lewis Clark Law Review, where she discusses Indigenous Water Justice and the international legal principle of self-determination as recognized in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Her recent work delves into topics such as legal personhood for water and the rights of lakes and rivers, showcasing her engagement in contemporary debates around water law and policy.

Research Interests