- Can you tell us about your research and how it connects to real-world geographic or planning challenges?
My research examines the privatization and financialization of water and sanitation services in Brazil, focusing on the role of the Brazilian National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) in reshaping public infrastructure. I study how development institutions direct investment, structure regional priorities, and influence who gains access to essential services.
Grounded in Brazil’s long history of uneven development, particularly between the Southeast and Northeast, my work shows how infrastructure planning is not only technical but deeply political, producing racialized and regional inequalities. This research connects directly to contemporary planning challenges, including rising water tariffs, household debt, service precarity, and the growing influence of private capital in public utilities. By combining historical analysis with political and economic geography, my work speaks to planners, policymakers, and community organizations grappling with how infrastructure governance shapes everyday life.
- How has faculty mentorship at Queen’s supported the development of your research?
Faculty mentorship at Queen’s has been foundational to my development as a scholar. Under the supervision of Dr. Carolyn Prouse and Dr. Dan Cohen, I have been encouraged to pursue a project that is both theoretically rigorous and grounded in real-world struggles. Their mentorship has supported me in developing a historically informed, interdisciplinary approach while remaining attentive to the ethical and political dimensions of my research.
Beyond supervision, Queen’s has offered a generous intellectual environment through research collectives, collaborative projects, and ongoing dialogue across the department. This mentorship culture has been essential in helping me refine my questions, strengthen my methods, and grow into an independent researcher.
- What opportunities have most shaped your experience in the program?
Being part of research collectives such as the Biosecurities Lab and the Global Economies and Everyday Lives Lab has been central to my experience. These spaces fostered collaborative, interdisciplinary research and helped shape my approach to critical scholarship.
Teaching and working as a teaching assistant in Geography courses also deeply influenced my development. Leading tutorials and supporting students strengthened my ability to communicate complex ideas and grounded my research in pedagogy. Conference participation, including the AAG, grant writing, and involvement in academic and community networks, including partnerships related to water justice in Brazil, further connected my work to broader scholarly and public conversations.
- What advice would you give to prospective students considering Geography and Planning at Queen’s?
I would encourage prospective students to see Geography and Planning at Queen’s as a place to think critically and creatively about the world. The department offers a supportive environment where students are encouraged to take intellectual risks, work across disciplines, and connect theory to pressing social and environmental challenges.
My advice would be to take intellectual risks. Let yourself follow questions that feel big, uncomfortable, or politically meaningful. Seek out faculty and peers whose work excites you, get involved in labs and collectives, and use the program’s flexibility to build a path that reflects your interests. Queen’s Geography provides not only strong methodological and theoretical training, but also a genuine sense of scholarly community. Both are invaluable.
