Dr. Heather MacDonald, B.A. M.A. PhD.

Heather MacDonald is an Interdisciplinary Social Scientist at the Great Lakes Forestry Centre (GLFC), Canadian Forest Service in Sault Ste. Marie. She provides statistical analysis of spatial datasets for the Integrative Ecology and Economics Division at GLFC.  Her research interests are multi-disciplinary and include research related to climate change and forests. She has a PhD in Psychometrics (Psychology) from Simon Fraser University, a Masters degree in Social Psychology from Simon Fraser University and a B.A. in Psychology from Laurentian University. Her Honours degree and PhD research, supported by the CFS, centred on forest and conservation topics.  Prior to rejoining GLFC in 2017, Dr. MacDonald managed national evaluations of major funding programs by the Tri-Council research funding agencies, the Canadian Millennium Scholarship Foundation, and the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum. 

What is your role in the C1W project?

My contributions will include contributing historical spatial climate datasets that can be used in HydroGeoSphere and help undertake integrated forest/fire/water risk assessments. I am is also available to support social science aspects of the project including integration of user feedback.

What benefits do you think C1W will bring to Canada/Canadians?

Access to the decision-making tools created through the C1W project will enable people to make better and more timely adaptation and mitigation decisions.