Blue Justice
We explore how blue justice can be mobilized for equity and sustainability in coastal communities and small-scale fisheries. Our research aims to ensure that coastal communities maintain their well- being and rights within the emerging blue economy landscape.
Our team is based in the Laurentian Great Lakes watershed. Please watch this site for updates on our research. Our goal is to build a transdiscplinary network of research and action towards blue justice in the Great Lakes, across Canada, and beyond.
Key Projects
The film, Lake Superior Our Helper, follows Chief Dean Sayers through a series of conversations with community members to reveal the cultural, political, and ecological relationships surrounding their fisheries.
Publications & Resouces
Lowitt, K., Levkoe, C.Z., Breen S., Harris, L., MacDonald, J., Stephens, P, Stoll, J.S., Trevisan, T., Warne, C., Loring, P. (2025). Exploring the Inter-Connections Between Alternative Agrifood and Seafood Networks for Building Food Systems Resilience. Canadian Food Studies/La Revue canadienne des études sur l'alimentation, 12(1), 145-162.
Lowitt, K., Francis, A., Gunther, L., Madison, B., McGaughey, L., Echendu, A., Kaur, M., Roussel, K-A., St Pierre, Z., & Weppler, Al. (2024). Governing for transboundary environmental justice: A scientific and policy analysis of fish consumption advisory progrmas in the Upper St Lawrence River. Facets.
Levkoe, C.Z., Lowitt, K., Furlotte, S., & Sayers, D. (2023). Advancing radical food geography praxis through participatory film: Reflections from an Indigenous-settler food sovereignty collaboration. ACME: An International Journal for Critical Geographies.
Lowitt, K., Levkoe, C.Z., & Sayers, D. (2022). Towards self-determination and resurgence in small-scale fisheries: Insights from Batchewana First Nation fisheries. Maritime Studies 22(1).
Lowitt, K., Levkoe, C.Z., Spring, A., Turlo, C., Williams, P., Bird, S., Sayers, D., & Simba, M. (2020). Empowering small-scale, community-based fisheries through a food systems framework. Marine Policy 120.
Lowitt, K., Levkoe C.Z., Lauzon, R., Ryan, K. and Sayers, D. (2019). Indigenous Self-Determination and Food Sovereignty through Fisheries Governance in the Great Lakes Region. In: Andrée, P. Clark, J.K., Levkoe C.Z., Lowitt, K. (Eds.). Civil Society and Social Movements in Food System Governance. Routledge, Series on Food, Society and Environment.
Nelson, C., Stroink, M., Levkoe, C.Z., Kakagemic, R., McKay, E., Streutker, A. and Stolz, W. (2019). Understanding social economy through a complexity lens: Four case studies in Northwestern Ontario. Canadian Food Studies/La Revue canadienne des études sur l'alimentation, 6(3) 33-59.
Lowitt K., Levkoe C.Z., Song A.M., Hickey G.M., Nelson C. (2019). Broadening the knowledge base of small-scale fisheries through a food systems framework: A case study of the Lake Superior region. In: R. Chuenpagdee, and S. Jentoft. (Eds.). Transdisciplinarity for Small-Scale Fisheries Governance. MARE Publication Series. Springer.
Levkoe, C.Z., Lowitt, K., & Nelson, C. (2017). “Fish as food”: Exploring a food sovereignty approach to small-scale fisheries. Marine Policy 85, 65-70.
Latest Research Updates
Stay informed with our current research developments and field updates.
Connect with us
We invite researchers, students, community organizations, and policymakers to connect with us and help build a transdisciplinary research and action network for blue justice. Please contact any member of our research team.