Congratulations Dr. Laine Young!

June 2025

This spring, Dr. Laine Young succesfully defended her dissertain and recieved her doctorate degree in Geography in the Faculty of Science at Wilfrid Laurier University.  

Laine has been an integral part of the Laurier Centre for Sustainable Food Systems, leading our Early Career Research Network and playing an instrumental role in our podcast, Handpicked. We are proud of all her contributions to the Centre and her impact in amplifying conversations about food, sustainability, and justice. 

Her dissertation “Operationalizing Intersectionality Analysis for Urban Agriculture in Quito, Ecuador" is a case study of Quito’s municipally led AGRUPAR project. Dr. Young's research applies an intersectional lens to explore how power, identity, and lived experience shape participation in the city’s food systems. Her research uplifts grassroots voices and highlights how urban agriculture can be a site of resilience, equity, and transformation.

We are excited that Laine will continue supporting our projects as a Research Associate, and inspring the next generation of learners as a Contract Teaching Faculty in the department.