Dr. Betsy Donald is a Full Professor in the Department of Geography and Planning at Queen’s University. She earned her MSc.Pl and Ph.D. in Geography and Planning from the University of Toronto, with prior degrees in environmental studies and history from York University and McGill University.
Dr. Donald’s work centers on urban development, regional economies, mobility, food systems, and platform urbanism, with a recent emphasis on digital innovation, smart cities, and the food economy. She publishes in top-tiered peer-reviewed journals, including award-winning papers on regional crises, urban economies, and creative industries. Her publications explore themes such as urban policy, economic development, food access, creative cities, austerity, and the impacts of crises on city regions, often integrating policy implications.
She is an active Social Science and Humanities researcher and leads and co-leads multiple research projects, including studies on urban foodscapes, city climate change, and research co-production through dashboards. Dr. Donald also has extensive research administration experience having served as the Associate Vice Principal of Research at Queen’s University and as an assessor on local, national and international research granting agencies. Betsy is looking forward to contributing to the Board work of the Regional Studies Association to further benefit the regional studies community.