The Environmental Research Justice Alliance

Background of the organization 

The Environmental Justice Research Alliance (EJRA) is an initiative to train a growing network of students and researchers across Canada. Community research activities include assessing the impacts of industrial projects, conducting feasibility studies for clean energy projects, researching Indigenous rights and title, evaluating species declines, contributing data that incorporates Indigenous knowledge into environmental assessments. Data and research remain the property of the communities. 

The EJRA It is led by Dr. Jen Gobby (affiliate Professor at Concordia University) who has supported Indigenous land defenders for over a decade.  

Project description 

The EJRA recruits academic researchers from across disciplines to work with frontline and Indigenous communities to develop applied research plans based on community needs, provide expert advice and conduct research together. Funding will be used to create an Indigenous-led Advisory Committee and hire an Indigenous coordinator to recruit and train academic researchers and support selected communities going forward.