Ann Lévesque, Ph.D.

Innovation officer

Creating bridges between the social science and agricultural science communities. Strengthening and refining the theoretical framework related to the living lab approach. Actively supporting farmers, scientists and partners throughout Canada in their open innovation endeavors.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Ottawa, ON

Current research and/or projects

Currently, I am engaged in a study focusing on the implementation, development, and evolution of agroecosystem living labs in Canada, as part of the Living Laboratories Initiatives (2018-2023), to refine the living lab approach troughout the country.

Research and/or project statements

My main objective is to contribute to a paradigm shift towards sustainable agriculture in Canada. This involves integrating the environmental, social, and economic dimensions into the framework within which our scientific activities are conducted at AAFC.
To achieve this objective, I employ the living labs approach. Living labs provide a space for open innovation in a real-world context focused on the needs of farmers, fostering transdisciplinary collaboration among scientists, farmers, and partners, including Indigenous communities. Through these collaborative efforts, the living labs approach aims to accelerate the pace of innovation and promote the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices across Canada.

Professional activities / interests

Social sciences
Transdiciplinary research
Participatory action research
Open innovation
Ecological economics
Qualitative methods / Mixed methods approach

Education and awards

Education

PhD in Environmental Humanities and Social Sciences • University of Quebec in Outaouais, QC. (2019 to 2023)
Visiting Researcher • University of Antwerp, Belgium. (September to November 2022)
Master's in Sustainable Development and Conservation of Natural and Renewable Resources • University of Quebec in Outaouais, QC. (2017 to 2018)
Certificate of Higher Studies in Environmental Education • University of Quebec in Montreal, QC. (2005-06)
Bachelor's in Environmental and Agronomic Sciences • McGill University, QC. (2000-03)

Awards

Postdoctoral Scholarship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) – 2023-2025
2023 Excellence Scholarship from the Center for Biodiversity Science of Quebec (CSBQ)
Canada Graduate Scholarship — Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement 2022, study stay at the University of Antwerp, Belgium
2021 Scholarship from the Union of Professors of UQO (SPUQO) for social engagement
Best Policy Intervention Award 2021, biennial conference of the Canadian Society for Ecological Economics (CANSEE)
2020 Scholarship from CRDT-UQO to support theses and dissertations on territorial development
Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) — 2020-23
Recipient of the Dean's Excellence Award 2019, University of Quebec in Outaouais (UQO)
Recipient of the Fonds de Recherche du Québec : Société et Culture (FRQSC) Doctoral Scholarship - 2019-20
Donald J. Brenner Early Career Award 2018, International Society of the Scientific Study of Subjectivity (ISSSS)
2018 Excellence Scholarship from the Fonds de solidarité FTQ, University of Quebec in Outaouais (UQO)
2018 Study Grant from the local union of the Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA) of the MRC Papineau
2017 Excellence Scholarship from the Center for Biodiversity Science of Quebec (CSBQ)
2017 Perseverance Scholarship from the Fonds de solidarité FTQ, University of Quebec in Outaouais (UQO)

International experience and/or work

Lecturer in Ecological Economics, Department of Natural Resources, University of Quebec in Outaouais (UQO), Gatineau, QC. (Winter terms 2022 and 2023)
Research Assistant, Canada Research Chair in Ecological Economics, Ripon, QC. (2019 to 2023)
Teaching Assistant in Introduction to Socio-ecological Systems, Department of Natural Resources, UQO, Gatineau, QC. (Winter terms 2021 and 2023)
Teaching Assistant in Ecological Economics, Northern Studies Summer School on Advances in Natural Products Science, Sentinel North Network, Laval University, Whapmagoostui-Kuujjauarapik, Nunavik (Summer term 2022)
Director, Agriconseils Outaouais Network, Gatineau, QC. (2013-17)
Coordinator, Agricultural Research and Technological Development Center of the Outaouais (CREDETAO), L'Ange-Gardien, QC. (2008-13)
Advisor, Ecological Agriculture, Équiterre, Montreal, QC. (2004-08)

Key publications

Lévesque, A., Bissonnette, J.-F., Vansintjan, A. et Dupras, J. (2024). Conflicting perspectives on ecosystem conservation in a cultivated floodplain: the role of science and the challenge of pluralism in decision-making in Lac Saint-Pierre (Quebec, Canada). Environmental Policy & Governance. DOI: 10.1002/eet.2095
Lévesque, A., Fouqueray, T & Dupras, J. (2023) Beyond setting conservation targets: Q-method as a powerful tool to collectively set an action plan agenda. Frontiers In Conservation Science. 4, 21.
Fouqueray*, T., Lévesque*, A., Turgeon, K., Bissonnette, J. F., Calmé, S., & Dupras, J. (2023) Remote participatory research has logistical benefits, but presents scientific and ethical challenges. Environmental Research Letters. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/acb27d *contribution égale.
Lévesque, A., Gagné, L., Dupras, J. (2022) Expressing citizen preferences on endangered wildlife for building socially appealing species recovery policies: a stated preference experience in Quebec, Canada. Journal for Nature Conservation. (69), October 2022, 126255.
Lévesque, A., Kermagoret, C., Poder, G. T., L'Ecuyer-Sauvageau, C., He, J., Sauvé, S. et Dupras, J. (2021) Financing on-farm ecosystem services in southern Quebec, Canada: a public call for pesticides reduction. Ecological Economics.
Lévesque, A., Bélanger, N., Poder, G. T., Filotas, É. et Dupras, J. (2020) From white to green gold: Digging into public expectations and preferences for ecological restoration of asbestos mines in southeastern Quebec, Canada. Extractive Industries and Society. 7(4), 1411–1423.
Lévesque, A., Dupras, J., et Bissonnette, J.F. (2020) The Pitchfork or the Fishhook: Intensive Farming in the Floodplain Toward a Multi-Stakeholder Perspective. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management. (63)11, 1987–2003.