Sessional Faculty

Abigail Mitchell

Abigail Mitchell is a Sociology PhD Candidate at the University of Guelph, having graduated from their Master’s program in Criminology and Criminal Justice Policy. Her Master's thesis research was on forensic pathologists’ decision-making in cases of sexual femicide, while her PhD research focuses on internet-facilitated child sexual abuse and cybergrooming. Abigail is a graduate student representative on the University of Guelph’s Joint Advisory Committee on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and a research assistant with the Centre for the Study of Social and Legal Responses to Violence. Abigail’s research interests more broadly include sexual femicide, domestic homicide, and LGBTQ2SIA+ communities.

Dr. John Ferguson

John R. Ferguson is a Master in Environmental Studies and a Doctor of Social and Political Thought from York University. His areas of interest and research include environmental ethics and economics, nature, energy and society, sustainable city planning and transportation.

John has taught at Carleton, York, Queen’s, and McMaster Universities as well as Seneca, Centennial, Sheridan, Niagara, and Fanshawe Colleges. He has taught at the University of Guelph since 2010, having taught over 115 courses in 8 disciplines and departments. John is published in the Canadian Journal of Political Science, Capitalism, Nature, Socialism, and Electronic Green Journal. He has been a columnist for the Simcoe Reformer and London Free Press as well as a contributing editor for Alternatives (University of Waterloo's environmental journal) and contributor to CBC Metro Morning's Commentary. As Education Advisor to the first three Environmental Commissioners of Ontario, John traveled widely, spreading his enthusiasm for the role of accountability, transparency and public participation in sustainability. John was also a Senior Associate at Ontario’s Growth Secretariat (in the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal) where he is worked with Ontarions to develop sustainability through Ontario’s Places to Grow Act.

He is an avid cyclist, hockey player and musician (drums) who loves the thrill of learning, teaching and skill development.

Dr. Julia Linares-Roake

Julia is a critical feminist researcher and PhD Candidate in Family Relations and Human Development (FRHD) at the University of Guelph, looking at dog-human play through critical theory and arts-based, multispecies methodology. They are honoured to be a part of the FIDO Lab at the university, which aims to take the experiences of animals seriously in social science research and to contribute to methodological and theoretical advancement in dog-human relationships. She is also a Project Manager at the Community Engaged Scholarship Institute (CESI)’s Research Shop, where she works with community partners throughout Southwestern Ontario on various research projects.

Julia is passionate about teaching, and cares about creating inclusive and anti-oppressive environments in their classroom. She is particularly interested in supporting learners in cultivating their own opinions and ‘voice’ around complex issues.

Dr. Kelly Linton

Dr. Kelly Linton is a sociocultural anthropologist and sessional instructor with the University of Guelph. Her research focuses on knowledge mobilization, sustainability,  agrarian citizen science, and multi-species relationships in the context of climate change and agriculture. She has been working with agricultural communities in Canada since 2014 and has prior experience working on interdisciplinary and community-engaged research projects in both Ontario and the Yukon. Her work emphasizes the importance of engaging with diverse understandings of complex environmental issues. 

Dr. Deidre Rose

Dr. Deidre Rose is a social anthropologist with research publications on the HIV pandemic, buried treasure narratives, happiness as economic policy, and precarious academic employment. She earned her doctorate from the University of Toronto in 2005 and has been teaching at the University of Guelph since 2004, where she has developed and taught numerous courses in anthropology and sociology, earning the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences Teaching Excellence Award in 2019.  

Dr. Lauren Sneyd

Dr. Lauren Sneyd serves as a lecturer and course developer in the areas of food studies, sustainability innovation, global development and research methods at the University of Guelph. Lauren is a team member and Research Scientist on a Global Affairs Canada funded project supporting gender responsive, nature-based solutions to climate change with the Forest Foundation Philippines.  She was previously a visiting Assistant Professor (CL) with the Development Studies Program and the Coady International Institute at St. Francis Xavier University, and a SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellow at the Balsillie School of International Affairs. Lauren completed her doctorate in Geography and International Development Studies at the University of Guelph on food riots, wild foods and the food system in Cameroon. She earned a thesis-based Master of Arts degree in Anthropology at Dalhousie University focusing on ethical coffee retailing and international trade. She also earned a second coursework-based Master of Arts degree in Development Studies at the University of Auckland on sustainable development and gold mining. Her BA (Hons.) was in Anthropology with a subsidiary in Development Studies.