Honours Bachelor of Science, Integrated Science Program; Minor in Environmental Sciences and Physics • McMaster University
Bio
Shania grew up with a deep appreciation for nature. Following the lead of family members around her, she learned about sustainability at a young age and began to pursue it herself in university. She attended McMaster University for their Honours Integrated Science program, a small but mighty program centered around interdisciplinary group-based research projects. Through these projects she studied topics including: the feasibility of scaling renewable energy facilities in Canada, the intricate interactions between plants and animals, and how to engage professionals and the public in scientific campaigns.
Her passion for sustainability sky-rocketed as she took classes like evaluating sustainable solutions and advocating for sustainability- which showed her that a better world was out there and within reach. Now, Shania’s set to be a change-maker and she’s narrowed down environmental psychology as her next field of study. There is a general consensus that humans should live sustainably, but little action is being taken because of psychological, social, and societal barriers. She wants to learn more about these barriers in order to dismantle them.
Shania learned first hand that there is tremendous support among young adults for the creation of sustainable cities as she was petitioning against sprawl (onto the Greenbelt) in 2023. Within 6 months, her team of 5 McMaster students collected over 2000 student signatures in support of stopping unnecessary urban sprawl. This led her to co-found Stop Sprawl Students, a community club which works with local politicians to support the development of Hamilton as a sustainable city. Shania feels truly fulfilled when working with passionate, optimistic people to create positive change. Meaning she has been genuinely happy while working in the environmental non-profit sector post-graduation. When she’s not working, Shania honours and enjoys the environment around her by keeping busy with any and all outdoor activities from hiking and swimming to snowboarding and surfing.