William Holden

Assistant Professor
(Cross-Appointee: B.Sc in Environmental Science Program)
BA, (With Distinction) University of Calgary
LLB, University of Western Ontario
MEc, University of Calgary
PhD, University of Calgary
Department of Geography
University of Calgary
Calgary, AB T2N 1N4
(403) 220-4886
wnholden@ucalgary.ca

Bio Summary

Dr. Holden (an inactive member of the Law Society of Alberta) joined the Geography Department as an Assistant Professor on an initial term cross-appointment with the B.Sc in Environmental Science program on 1 September 2004. This followed an eight-year stint as an awarding winning Instructor in the Department of Economics at the University of Calgary, six years of teaching law at a private vocational college, time as an associate counsel in a law firm, and articles as a student at law with the Attorney General of Ontario.

Dr. Holden was nominated for a Students’ Union Teaching Excellence Award in: 1996-1997, 1997-1998, 1998-1999, 1999-2000, 2000-2001, 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2003-2004, 2004-2005, 2005-2006, 2006-2007, and 2007-2008. Dr. Holden received Students’ Union Teaching Excellence Award Honorable Mentions in: 2001-2002, 2003-2004, 2004-2005, and 2005-2006. Dr. Holden received a Students’ Union Teaching Excellence Award in 1996-1997. Dr. Holden also received a Faculty of Social Sciences Distinguished Teacher Award in 1999 and the Students' Union Presidential Citation in 2000.

In MacLean’s Magazine’s Guide to Canadian Universities profile of the University of Calgary, Dr. Holden was listed as a “popular professor” in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006.

During the 1999-2000 academic year, while teaching as a sessional instructor at Mount Royal College, Dr. Holden was nominated for the Mount Royal College Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award.

While a PhD student, Dr. Holden won the award for best presentation by a PhD student at the Geography Department conference in March 2001.

Research Interests

Current research interests include counter hegemonic development discourses in the developing world (specifically in the Philippines), "bottom up" development programs within the Roman Catholic Church (such as the Basic Ecclesial Community movement in the Philippines), the "New West" of North America, the federalism of environmental law, and nuclear energy law and policy.

Active Research Programs

Civil Society Opposition to Nonferrous Metals in the Philippines
Dr. William Holden examines the opposition of civil society to nonferrous metals mining in the Philippines.

The Basic Ecclesial Community Movement in the Philippines
This project studies how the Basic Ecclesial Communities, organized by the Roman Catholic Church, engage in programs designed to provide sustainable livelihoods for the poor in the Philippines as alternatives to neoliberal development policies and programs.

Recent Publications

Holden, W.N. (2009). “Post Modern Public Administration in the Land of Promise: the Basic Ecclesial Community Movement of Mindanao.” Worldviews: Environment, Culture, Religion. 13 (2): 180-218.

Ingelson, A., W.N. Holden, and M.A. Bravante. (2009). “Philippine Environmental Impact Assessment, Mining, and Genuine Development.” Law, Environment, and Development Journal. 5 (1): 1-15.

Holden, W.N. and R.D Jacobson. (2009). “Ecclesial Opposition to Nonferrous Mining in Guatemala” Neoliberalism Meets the Church of the Poor in a Shattered Society.” The Canadian Geographer. 53 (2): 145-164.

Holden, W.N. (2009). “Nuclear Energy: the Power of the Promethean Fire.” In D. Draper and M. Reed Our Environment: A Canadian Perspective (Fourth Edition). Toronto: Nelson, 463-464.

Holden, W.N. and R.D Jacobson. (2008). “Civil Society Opposition to Nonferrous Metals Mining in Guatemala.” Voluntas. 19 (4): 325-350.

Holden, W.N. (2007) “Civil Society Opposition to Nonferrous Metals Mining in the Philippines.” In Hussain, A. and S.S. Mishra (eds.) Global Civil Society: Perspectives and Initiatives. Hyderabad, India: The Icfai University Press: 127-160.

Holden, W.N., and A. Ingelson (2007). “Disconnect between Philippine Mining Investment Policy and Indigenous Peoples’ Rights.” Journal of Energy & Natural Resources Law. 25 (4):375-391.

Holden, W.N. and R.D. Jacobson (2007). “Mining Amid Armed Conflict: Nonferrous Metals Mining in the Philippines.” The Canadian Geographer. 51 (4):475-500.

Holden, W.N., R.D. Jacobson, and K. Moran (2007). “Civil Society Opposition to Nonferrous Metals Mining in Montana.” Voluntas. 18 (3): 266-292.

Holden, W.N. and R.D. Jacobson (2007). “Ecclesial Opposition to Mining on Mindanao: Neoliberalism Encounters The Church of the Poor in the Land of Promise.” Worldviews: Environment, Culture, Religion. 11(2): 155-202.

Holden, W.N. and R.D. Jacobson (2007). “Ecclesial Opposition to Nonferrous Metals Mining in the Philippines: Neoliberalism Encounters Liberation Theology.” Asian Studies Review. 31(2): 133-154.

Holden, W.N. (2006). “One Concept and Two Countries: Federal Government Jurisdiction to Make Environmental Law in Australia and Canada.” Australian Canadian Studies. 24 (1): 51-81.

Holden, W.N. and R.D. Jacobson (2006). “Mining Amid Decentralization: Local Governments and Mining in the Philippines.” Natural Resources Forum. 30: 188-198.

Ingelson, A., A. Urzua, and W.N. Holden (2006) “Mine Operator Liability for the Spill of an Independent Contractor in Peru.” Journal of Energy & Natural Resources Law. 24 (1): 53-65.

Holden, W.N. (2005). “Civil Society Opposition to Nonferrous Metals Mining in the Philippines.” Voluntas. 16 (3): 223-249.

Holden, W.N. (2005). “Indigenous Peoples and Nonferrous Metals Mining in the Philippines.” The Pacific Review. 18 (3): 417-438.

Current Graduate Students

Christopher Moxham

Courses Taught

Geog 321: Environmental Geography
Environmental and resource issues, with emphasis on topics such as sustainability, ethics; planning; policy and decision making; and management strategies. Case examples highlight issues in resource sectors such as freshwater, oceans, parks and wildlife, tourism and recreation, forests and energy.

Geog 341: Economic Geography
Theories, concepts and techniques of economic geography with emphasis on policy issues relating to Canadian examples at the urban, regional, and national levels.