HEAL Alumni and Senior Research Associate Recognized for Their Community Impact
- Post by: Megan Graat
- 10:00PM Jul 30, 2020
- No Comment
The Human Environments Analysis Lab is excited to share that two members have recently won prestigious awards from the Urban League of London. On June 25, Ryan Craven (BA ’07) was awarded the Green Umbrella Award, and John Fleming (BA ’89) was awarded the Richard and Beryl Ivey Lifetime Achievement Award.
Ryan Craven is the Supervisor of Community Development at the City of London. He graduated from the Department of Geography in 2007, where he focused on Urban Studies and completed an Honours BA thesis on the “creative class” in London, under the supervision of Dr. Gilliland. He also worked as a Research Assistant in the HEAL and participated in community-based projects. As a Green Umbrella Honouree, he demonstrates outstanding community citizenship and leadership in the city of London. Ryan is well known for the development and launch of the civic engagement program called the NeighbourGood program, the city’s Car Free Festival, a pocket park at Richmond and Horton, and supporting the Grickle Grass Festival. Ryan reflected on his experience with the HEAL and Dr. Jason Gilliland as his mentor: “Your teaching and support set me on the path. I wouldn’t have done what I’ve done without your efforts.”
John Fleming is the former Managing Director of Planning at the City of London. He graduated from Western’s Urban Development program in 1989. As an Honouree of the Richard and Beryl Ivey Lifetime Achievement Award, John has made meaningful and positive contributions to development of the City of London, over a sustained period. With over 30 years of responsible planning practice, he has been responsible for many transformative changes within the City of London, including the award-winning London Plan. From the HEAL’s founding in 2003, John has been a passionate supporter of our work to build healthy, safe, and thriving communities. To continue to build capacity for responsible planning, John has joined the HEALlab as a Senior Research Associate, and Adjunct Faculty Member in the Department of Geography. He also has joined the Centre for Urban Policy and Local Governance as a Distinguished Practitioner & Research Fellow. John expressed his excitement to be joining Western: “Looking forward to all kinds of rewarding work together with you and the team in Geography and the HEAL!”
The HEAL is a state-of-the-art, multi-disciplinary research and training environment at Western University, established by Dr. Jason Gilliland. The HEAL specializes in the production, evaluation, synthesis, dissemination and mobilization of evidence needed for the development of effective policies, programs and professional practice aimed at creating healthy and vibrant communities. Since 2003, the HEAL has worked extensively with non-profit, local, regional, provincial, and national-level organizations to improve built and natural environments for all Canadians. Dr. Gilliland also directs the Urban Development Program at Western University, and is a Professor with appointments in the departments of Geography, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Paediatrics, and Health Studies.