Christopher Lyon
Current Positions
Postdoctoral Researcher, ResNet Synthesis Team, Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University
Visiting Research Fellow, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds
Education
PhD, Geography, University of Dundee, UK, 2017.
Thesis: Exploring power in the theory and practice of resilience
Supervisors: Professor Ioan Fazey, Dr Susan Mains
MSc, Rural Sociology, University of Alberta, Canada, 2011.
Thesis: Exploring dimensions of place-power and culture in the social resilience of forest-dependent communities
Supervisors: Professor John R Parkins, Professor Naomi Krogman
BA, International Development Studies, University of Winnipeg, Canada, 2008.
Research interests
Christopher is an interdisciplinary environmental social scientist passionate about work that integrates natural and social science. His research portfolio covers social dimensions of climate, food security, natural resource, and ecosystem and biodiversity challenges, drawing on the theory and applications of resilience, adaptation, and transformation in social-ecological systems. Topics currently fascinating him include,
Selected publications
Zurek M, Ingram J, Sanderson Bellamy A, Goold C, Lyon C, Alexander P, Barnes A, Bebber D, Breeze T, Bruce A, Collins L, Davies J, Doherty B, Ensor J, Franco S, Gatto A, Lamprinopoulou C, Liu L, Merkle M, Norton L, Ollerton J, Oliver T, Potts S, Reed M, Sutcliffe C, Withers P. Food system resilience: A multidimensional concept, Annual Review of Environment and Resources, In Press.
Martin-Ortega J, Rothwell SA, Anderson A, Okumah M, Lyon C, Sherry E, Johnston C, Withers PJA, Doody DG. 2022. Are stakeholders ready to transform phosphorus use in food systems? A transdisciplinary study in a livestock intensive system, Environmental Science and Policy, 131:177-187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.01.011
Lyon C, Saupe EE, Smith CJ, Hill DJ, Beckerman AP, Stringer LC, Marchant R, McKay J, Burke A, O’Higgins P, Dunhill AM, Allen BJ, Riel-Salvatore J, Aze T. 2022. Climate change research and action must look beyond 2100, Global Change Biology, 28(2):349-361. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.15871
Fazey I, Schäpke N, Caniglia G, Hodgson A, Kendrick I, Lyon C, Page G, Patterson J, Riedy C, Strasser T, Verveen S, Adams D, Goldstein B, Klaes M, Leicester G, Linyard A, McCurdy A,…Young H. 2020. Transforming knowledge systems for life on Earth: Visions of future systems and how to get there. Energy Research & Social Science 70:101724. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2020.101724
Lyon C, Cordell D, Jacobs B, Martin-Ortega J, Marshall R, Camargo-Valero MA, Sherry E. 2020. Five pillars for stakeholder analyses in sustainability transformations: The global case of phosphorus. Environmental Science and Policy, 107:80-89.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2020.02.019
Stringer LC, Fraser EDG, Harris D, Lyon C, Pereira LM, Ward C, Simelton E. 2020. Adaptation and development pathways for different types of farmers. Environmental Science and Policy 104:174-189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2019.10.007
Fazey I, Wise RM, Lyon C, Câmpeanu C, Moug P, Davies TE. 2016. Past and future Adaptation pathways. Climate and Development 8(1):26-44. doi:10.1080/17565529.2014.989192
Lyon C & Parkins JR. 2013. Toward a social theory of resilience: Social systems, cultural systems, and collective action in transitioning forest-based communities. Rural Sociology 78(4):528–49. doi:10.1111/ruso.12018
Grants and scholarships
'Refugia of Futures Past', White Rose Collaboration Fund, 2018 - present.
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) Doctoral Fellowship, 2014-17.
Contact information
Email: christopher.lyon@mcgill.ca
Current Positions
Postdoctoral Researcher, ResNet Synthesis Team, Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University
Visiting Research Fellow, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds
Education
PhD, Geography, University of Dundee, UK, 2017.
Thesis: Exploring power in the theory and practice of resilience
Supervisors: Professor Ioan Fazey, Dr Susan Mains
MSc, Rural Sociology, University of Alberta, Canada, 2011.
Thesis: Exploring dimensions of place-power and culture in the social resilience of forest-dependent communities
Supervisors: Professor John R Parkins, Professor Naomi Krogman
BA, International Development Studies, University of Winnipeg, Canada, 2008.
Research interests
Christopher is an interdisciplinary environmental social scientist passionate about work that integrates natural and social science. His research portfolio covers social dimensions of climate, food security, natural resource, and ecosystem and biodiversity challenges, drawing on the theory and applications of resilience, adaptation, and transformation in social-ecological systems. Topics currently fascinating him include,
- Understanding and adapting to the temporal scope of environmental challenges
- Integrating and communicating natural and social science research
- Creative methods of research communication for reaching diverse audiences
- Stakeholder roles and types and how these inhibit or facilitate action for sustainability
- Scenarios and pathways
- Social-ecological-technological systems (SETS)
- Anthropocene governance and policy
- Environmental equity and justice
Selected publications
Zurek M, Ingram J, Sanderson Bellamy A, Goold C, Lyon C, Alexander P, Barnes A, Bebber D, Breeze T, Bruce A, Collins L, Davies J, Doherty B, Ensor J, Franco S, Gatto A, Lamprinopoulou C, Liu L, Merkle M, Norton L, Ollerton J, Oliver T, Potts S, Reed M, Sutcliffe C, Withers P. Food system resilience: A multidimensional concept, Annual Review of Environment and Resources, In Press.
Martin-Ortega J, Rothwell SA, Anderson A, Okumah M, Lyon C, Sherry E, Johnston C, Withers PJA, Doody DG. 2022. Are stakeholders ready to transform phosphorus use in food systems? A transdisciplinary study in a livestock intensive system, Environmental Science and Policy, 131:177-187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2022.01.011
Lyon C, Saupe EE, Smith CJ, Hill DJ, Beckerman AP, Stringer LC, Marchant R, McKay J, Burke A, O’Higgins P, Dunhill AM, Allen BJ, Riel-Salvatore J, Aze T. 2022. Climate change research and action must look beyond 2100, Global Change Biology, 28(2):349-361. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.15871
Fazey I, Schäpke N, Caniglia G, Hodgson A, Kendrick I, Lyon C, Page G, Patterson J, Riedy C, Strasser T, Verveen S, Adams D, Goldstein B, Klaes M, Leicester G, Linyard A, McCurdy A,…Young H. 2020. Transforming knowledge systems for life on Earth: Visions of future systems and how to get there. Energy Research & Social Science 70:101724. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2020.101724
Lyon C, Cordell D, Jacobs B, Martin-Ortega J, Marshall R, Camargo-Valero MA, Sherry E. 2020. Five pillars for stakeholder analyses in sustainability transformations: The global case of phosphorus. Environmental Science and Policy, 107:80-89.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2020.02.019
Stringer LC, Fraser EDG, Harris D, Lyon C, Pereira LM, Ward C, Simelton E. 2020. Adaptation and development pathways for different types of farmers. Environmental Science and Policy 104:174-189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2019.10.007
Fazey I, Wise RM, Lyon C, Câmpeanu C, Moug P, Davies TE. 2016. Past and future Adaptation pathways. Climate and Development 8(1):26-44. doi:10.1080/17565529.2014.989192
Lyon C & Parkins JR. 2013. Toward a social theory of resilience: Social systems, cultural systems, and collective action in transitioning forest-based communities. Rural Sociology 78(4):528–49. doi:10.1111/ruso.12018
Grants and scholarships
'Refugia of Futures Past', White Rose Collaboration Fund, 2018 - present.
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) Doctoral Fellowship, 2014-17.
Contact information
Email: christopher.lyon@mcgill.ca