Tessa Williams

master's student in the Faculty of Health Sciences

I am registered professional planner studying with the Cities, Health and Active Transportation Research (CHATR) Lab. I love to combine my practitioner perspective with academic methods to explore solutions to create more equitable, healthy and sustainable communities.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO SFU?

I jumped at the opportunity to work with Dr. Meghan Winters, a respected applied researcher. I was also attracted to the learning experience of living in Metro Vancouver, because of its reputation as a sustainability leader & comprehensive cycling network.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RESEARCH OR YOUR PROGRAM TO A FAMILY MEMBER?

I contribute to two main projects: the “Impact of Bicycle Infrastructure in Mid-sized Cities Study (IBIMS)”  and "Advancing Equity in Sustainable Transportation Planning." These projects combine quantitative and qualitative methods to generate evidence that helps city decision makers design and build active transportation systems for people of all ages and abilities.

WHAT ARE YOU PARTICULARLY ENJOYING ABOUT YOUR STUDIES/RESEARCH AT SFU?

I value SFU's support for interdisciplinary collaboration with industry and community partners. My path to academia has been unconventional and yet in SFU I feel like I fit right in.

HAVE YOU BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF ANY MAJOR OR DONOR-FUNDED AWARDS? IF SO, PLEASE TELL US WHICH ONES AND A LITTLE ABOUT HOW THE AWARDS HAVE IMPACTED YOUR STUDIES AND/OR RESEARCH.

Thanks to funding like the SSHRC award, I have been able to take on new opportunities and expand my research activities. These new experiences make me a more well-rounded researcher and planner.

Additional Links 

• LinkedIn