91ÖÆƬ³§

Dr. Betsy Donald is a Full Professor in the Department of Geography and Planning at 91ÖÆƬ³§. 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.

Research Area

Dr. Donald 91ÖÆƬ³§ ’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 SSHRC researcher and leads and co-leads multiple research projects, including studies on urban foodscapes, city climate change, and research co-production through dashboards.

Teaching and Professional Engagement

Dr. Donald has supervised numerous graduate students and post-docs, with extensive teaching experience in urban geography, regional development, and Canadian studies. She regularly presents at academic conferences, delivers invited lectures, and participates in panels, focusing on urban mobility, platform economies, and governance.

Additional Appointments and Administrative Work

Dr. Betsy Donald has held an appointment at the University of Toronto 91ÖÆƬ³§ ’s Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy since 2023 and has served as a Visiting Professor in Japan, at the British Library in London, UK and as a Research Associate at Cambridge University, UK. ​ Her administrative roles have included Associate Vice-Principal Research at Queen 91ÖÆƬ³§ ’s and interim Vice-Principal Research, along with positions as Associate Dean in the School of Graduate Studies and Undergraduate Chair. ​

Selected Activities and Future Engagements

She is scheduled to present on algorithmic eating, urban governance, and digital city innovations at upcoming conferences and is working on a new research grant on platform food in the city. Her ongoing research aims to advance understanding of urban food systems, digital platforms, and climate change, with publications and policy reports informing practice and policy in Canadian cities.