Concordia professor is recognized for leadership in equity, diversity and inclusion in civil engineering
Chunjiang An: “A major part of our research is listening to the communities and understanding their priorities.”
Concordia’s Chunjiang An has received the Leadership and Advocacy for Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity and Accessibility (EDIA) Award from the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE). This newly established honour recognizes individuals who drive inclusive practices within the field and An is the first to receive it.
An is an associate professor in the Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science. His research addresses environmental challenges faced by Indigenous communities, focusing on coastal pollution control, waste management, and effective spill response strategies. His work involves collaborations with the Snuneymuxw First Nation and Simpcw First Nation in British Columbia, the Eskasoni First Nation in Nova Scotia and the Sachs Harbour Hunters & Trappers Committee in the Northwest Territories. He works to integrate traditional knowledge with Western scientific methods to create sustainable solutions.
“A major part of our research is listening to the communities and understanding their priorities,” An says. “We work together to find solutions that are not only effective but culturally sensitive.”
Since 2018, An has supervised/co-supervised 21 PhD students, 21 MASc students, and 14 postdoctoral fellows, many from underrepresented groups. His students have earned awards such as the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship and the Concordia University Doctoral Prize in Engineering and Computer Science.
‘Together, we are building more inclusive approaches’
Mourad Debbabi, dean of the Gina Cody School, congratulated An, emphasizing the importance of inclusive research. “An’s work exemplifies our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in engineering,” Debbabi says. “His approach to community-based environmental solutions is the kind of leadership we strive to foster at the Gina Cody School.”
An has also led EDIA initiatives at international conferences. At the PEOPLE 2023 International Conference in Montreal, he organized a session on environmental issues in Indigenous communities, highlighting both challenges and community-driven solutions.
He also led an EDIA workshop at the International Oil Spill Science Conference 2022 in Halifax promoting inclusive dialogue in environmental science. He also shares his research widely, with more than 230 peer-reviewed publications to date, including studies on environmental issues affecting Indigenous communities. Most recently, An guest-edited a special issue in Environmental Research Communications that focused on new perspectives and approaches to these challenges.
“This recognition is not just about me — it’s about our team and the communities we work with,” An says. “Together, we are building more inclusive approaches to environmental engineering.”
An was formally recognized at the CSCE Winnipeg 2025 conference from May 28 to 30.
Learn more about Concordia’s Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering
