Dr. Mette Bendixen, Assistant Professor (Group leader)

I am an Assistant Professor in geomorphology and coupled human-natural systems in the Department of Geography at McGill University. My research addresses various topics such as Arctic landscape changes and global sand scarcity. I'm increasingly focused on understanding Anthropogenic pressure on and interlinkages with the landscape to create a sustainable future. Previously, I’ve worked at The Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR), Uni. of Colorado, Boulder and The Department of Food & Resource Economics, Uni. of Copenhagen. I have my PhD in Arctic landscape dynamics from the Center of Excellence, Center for Permafrost at the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, Uni. of Copenhagen.

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Nakiya Noorbhai, PhD student

I have a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Mcgill University with a focus on statistical computing and a minor in Linguistics. I am interested in applying computational and statistical methods to real-world applications in a variety of fields and topics – especially sand mining. My current research focuses on investigating the extent to which sand mining activity in sub-saharan Africa has been addressed by the literature. In doing so, I hope to better understand the complex nature of both sand mining activity in Africa, as well as the availability of sand-mining-related literature about Africa. Moreover, I hope to gain insight on the many widespread issues and multifaceted relationships with sand mining that exist across the sub-saharan African continent.

Steffy Velosa, PhD student

I am a Ph.D. student in the Department of Geography at McGill University, broadly interested in the intersection of environmental science, governance, and sustainable natural resource management. My doctoral research focuses on developing context-specific stakeholder engagement frameworks to support collaborative resource governance. Using mixed methods, I examine how partnerships in two distinct contexts, Canada’s horticultural peat sector and Kenya’s sand mining sector, navigate environmental, economic, and social trade-offs. Through this comparative approach, I aim to explore how inclusive and locally grounded governance strategies emerge, adapt, and operate under different socio-ecological conditions.

My research background spans ecology, biogeochemistry, and equity in institutional governance, building on my B.Sc. in Honours Environmental Science from Concordia University, where I studied the ecological impacts of roads on biodiversity. I completed my M.Sc. at McGill University, evaluating how peat extraction management practices affect greenhouse gas emissions, which informed improvements in emission accounting and sustainable resource management. I also serve as a Graduate Research Assistant for McGill’s Senate Subcommittee on Women (SSCOW), where I contribute to research and policy analysis on equity and governance issues. These experiences have shaped my multidisciplinary approach to collaborative governance and environmental stewardship.

Marta Kozlova, MSc student

I’m a geographer with several years of experience in urban forestry, biodiversity conservation, and environmental protection with the City of Montréal. In these roles, I’ve led and supported projects focused on tree planting, invasive species management, ecological restoration, and environmental policy implementation. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Geography from Concordia University, where I developed strong skills in GIS, research design, and interdisciplinary analysis.

As a graduate student, I will be researching the environmental impacts of artisanal small-scale sand mining on river ecosystems in Rwanda. My goal is to better understand how mining influences river morphology, erosion, and nearby agricultural land, and to identify sustainable practices that protect ecosystems while supporting community livelihoods. Through this research, I hope to contribute to more equitable and environmentally responsible approaches to land and resource management.

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Luke Martin, Honors Student

I am an undergraduate student in my second year pursuing a dual major in Physics and Latin American & Carribean Studies, with an interest in geophysics and global networks of extraction. Working alongside Nakiya Noorbhai, my research focuses on how silica sand extraction has been addressed in the literature globally. I hope to uncover current trends and disparities in scholarship on sand, with the goal of connecting these trends to parallel dynamics in the geopolitics sand extraction, and to use these insights to produce a set of recommendations to guide future scholarship in this area.

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Morgan Scott, Honors Student

I am an undergraduate student entering my final year at McGill University, completing my Bachelor of Science in the Earth System Science program. My honours research investigates spatial and temporal trends of sand mining in Rwanda, observed by GIS and/or remote sensing instruments. More specifically, I am studying coupled trends in related infrastructure, such as roads, to improve identification mechanisms for sand mining activities. I am hopeful that such research into correlated infrastructure projects will improve our understanding of the range and dynamics of sand mining's impacts. Outside of academia I love making music and journalling in Montréal's wonderful parks. 

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