Dr. Karen Bakker obtained her PhD from Oxford University (where she studied as a Rhodes Scholar) and her BASc from McMaster University. She is a Professor at the University of British Columbia, with expertise in environmental governance and digital innovation. The author of more than 100 academic publications, she is also a member of the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.

 

Dr. Bakker serves as a board member of the International Institute for Sustainable Development, the Scientific Advisory Council of the Council of Canadian Academies, the Researcher Council of the New Digital Research Infrastructure Organization, and the governing Council of the federal National Research Council. Her work has been recognized by many awards, including: Canada's Top 40 under 40 (2011); an Annenberg Fellowship in Communication (Stanford University); a Cox Visiting Professorship (Stanford University); and a SSHRC Impact Award. Karen founded and led her first startup as CEO in 2014 (acquired in 2017). She is currently the Director of Strategy for Riipen (a Canadian tech company), and serves as a coach and advisor to tech startups in the Conservation Tech and EdTech sectors.