Dave Atkinson

Background

About Dave Atkinson

Dr. Dave Atkinson’s teaching and research focus on understanding the impacts of climate change on terrestrial ecosystems through a combination of remotely sensed data and extensive fieldwork. His foundational research includes biophysical variable modeling of Arctic ecosystems at the Cape Bounty Arctic Watershed Observatory and source water protection initiatives in Pond Inlet and Baker Lake, where he investigates environmental changes driven by a warming climate. A key aspect of his work involves drone-based remote sensing, utilizing advanced technologies like LiDAR and multi-spectral imaging to enhance the collection and analysis of environmental data. Dr. Atkinson specializes in environmental and spatial methodologies for sustainable decision-making, with a strong emphasis on decolonization, reconciliation, mentorship, and youth engagement. While his early work centered on Arctic environmental resources and Spatial Information Technologies, his focus over the past decade has shifted toward Indigenous-led, community-based research. Most recently, he has been collaborating with First Nations communities in Southern Saskatchewan, supporting climate monitoring, conservation, traditional food security, and GIS training to strengthen local research and environmental monitoring capacity. Using a community-led knowledge co-production framework, Dr. Atkinson integrates watershed monitoring and modeling with Indigenous ecological knowledge, ensuring that research aligns with community-identified priorities. As an advisor, he supports the collection and analysis of both spatial and non-spatial data, promoting collaborative approaches to environmental research and sustainable resource management.