The IIESL is rooted in the recognition that transitioning to sustainable livelihoods requires new ways of thinking about economics and economic development policy from a place-based and inclusive perspective, paying particular attention to the needs of traditionally marginalized populations and peripheral territories, both in the Global North and the South.
We do this through collaborative research projects, community-driven initiatives, experiential learning, working groups and public-facing events.
We look forward to engaging with researchers, students, policy makers, community leaders, activists and others interested in inclusive economic development. Meet our team, affiliated faculty and visiting scholars below.
Transitioning to sustainable livelihoods requires new ways of thinking economics and economic development policy.
Meet the Team
Director
Sergio Montero
Inaugural Director, IIESL and Associate Professor of Geography & Planning, Department of Human Geography, University of Toronto Scarborough
Sergio Montero
Postdoctoral Fellow, IIESL and IECS
Julián Prieto
Julián Prieto is a political scientist with more than fifteen years of professional experience working across government institutions, international aid […]
Julián Prieto
Postdoctoral Fellow
Rachel Bok
Rachel Bok is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow based at the Institute for Inclusive Economies and Sustainable Livelihoods (IIESL), at the University of […]
Rachel Bok
Community Leader in Residence
Kumsa Baker
Kumsa Baker is the Community Leader-in-Residence at the Institute for Inclusive Economies and Sustainable Livelihoods at the University of Toronto Scarborough.
Kumsa Baker
Associate Researcher
Valentina Castellini
Valentina Castellini is a labor and economic geographer researching work and working lives in both mainstream and alternative organizations, such as green businesses, social enterprises, and cooperatives.
Valentina Castellini
IIESL Researcher
Natalia Álvarez
Urban Planner with a Master’s in Planning from the University of Toronto, interested in inclusive and community-oriented approaches to equitable urban development.
Natalia Álvarez
IIESL Researcher
Connor Cordingley
Connor Cordingley is a PhD student in Planning at the University of Toronto. He is currently interested in how the […]
Connor Cordingley
Project Coordinator
Sahana Gunaratnam
Sahana Gunaratnam is the Project Coordinator at the Institute for Inclusive Economies and Sustainable Livelihoods at the University of Toronto […]
Sahana Gunaratnam
Research Institute Coordinator and Communications Lead
Areej Khalid
Areej Khalid is a Research Institute Coordinator and Communications Lead with the Institute for Inclusive Economies and Sustainable Livelihoods (IIESL) […]
Areej KhalidVisiting Scholars
Visiting Scholar
Matt Thompson
Matthew Thompson was visiting scholar at IIESL in May-June 2025.
Matt ThompsonIIESL Faculty Network at UofT
IIESL draws on the expertise and insight of faculty members across UofT and beyond who share our commitment to inclusive and just economies.
Director, Institute for Environment, Conservation, and Sustainability, University of Toronto Scarborough
Imre Szeman
Imre Szeman is part of the affiliated faculty network at the Institute for Inclusive Economies and Sustainable Livelihoods. He is […]
Imre Szeman
Associate Professor, OISE, University of Toronto
Marcelo Vieta
Marcelo Vieta (Phd) is the Chair of the Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education (LHAE) and Associate Professor in […]
Marcelo Vieta
Assistant Professor, Media Studies, University of Toronto Scarborough
Rafael Grohmann
Rafael Grohmann is part of the affiliated faculty network at the Institute for Inclusive Economies and Sustainable Livelihoods. He is […]
Rafael Grohmann
Professor, Geography and Planning, University of Toronto
Deborah Leslie
Deborah Leslie is an associated faculty member and serves on the Advisory Council of the Institute for Inclusive Economies and […]
Deborah Leslie
Associate Professor of Global Development & Political Economy, University of Toronto Scarborough.
Caroline Shenaz Hossein
Dr. Caroline Shenaz Hossein is Canada Research Chair (2022-2027) and Associate Professor of Global Development & Political Economy at the […]
Caroline Shenaz Hossein
Associate Professor and Department Chair, Human Geography, University of Toronto Scarborough
Michelle Buckley
Michelle Buckley is an urban and economic geographer whose research lies at the intersections of real estate, work and employment, […]
Michelle Buckley
Professor, Sociology, University of Toronto
Paty Romero-Lankao
Professor Paty Romero-Lankao is a Canadian Excellence in Research Chair (CERC) in Sustainability Transitions at the University of Toronto Scarborough. […]
Paty Romero-Lankao
Professor, Human Geography, University of Toronto
Katherine Rankin
Katherine Rankin is part of the affiliated faculty network at the Institute for Inclusive Economies and Sustainable Livelihoods. Her broad […]
Katherine Rankin
Assistant Professor, Economic Analysis and Policy, University of Toronto Scarborough
Robert Gillezeau
Robert Gillezeau is part of the affiliated faculty network at the Institute for Inclusive Economies and Sustainable Livelihoods. He is […]
Robert Gillezeau
Assistant Professor, Human Geography, University of Toronto Scarborough
Fernando Calderón Figueroa
Fernando Calderón Figueroa is part of the affiliated faculty network at the Institute for Inclusive Economies and Sustainable Livelihoods. He […]
Fernando Calderón Figueroa
Professor, Faculty of Information, University of Toronto
Christoph Becker
Christoph Becker is part of the Affiliated Faculty Network at the Institute for Inclusive Economies and Sustainable Livelihoods. As a […]
Christoph Becker
Associate Professor, Institute of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology, University of Toronto Mississauga
Beth Coleman
Beth Coleman is an Associate Professor of Data & Cities at the Institute of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology (UTM) […]
Beth Coleman