We are delighted to welcome Dr Betsy Donald, who is joining the RSA Board as Chair of the Research Committee.
Betsy is a Full Professor in the Department of Geography and Planning at Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario. She holds a PhD in Geography and Planning from the University of Toronto, alongside earlier degrees in environmental studies and history from York University and McGill University.
Her research spans urban development, regional economies, mobility, food systems, and platform urbanism, with recent work focusing on digital innovation, smart cities, and the food economy. Betsy has published widely in leading peer-reviewed journals, including award-winning papers examining regional crises, urban economies, and creative industries, with particular attention to urban policy, economic development, food access, creative cities, austerity, and the effects of crises on city regions.
She currently leads and co-leads a number of major research projects, including work on urban foodscapes, city-level responses to climate change, and research co-production through dashboard tools. She also brings substantial research administration experience, having served as Associate Vice-Principal of Research at Queen’s University and as an assessor for local, national, and international research funding agencies.
Betsy said:
I am honoured to serve in this position. The Regional Studies Association is a fantastic organization and has provided me with many opportunities over the years. I look forward to working with the team and serving the broader academic and policy community in their research endeavors.
We look forward to Betsy’s leadership of the Research Committee and the fresh perspective she brings to the Association’s research agenda.